Nepedia
Back to Discover
Advanced Reader
🗺️

Dwarka

geography Maturity 9-11 religion mythology war conflict Next article →

This article covers sensitive topics: religion, mythology, war_conflict. Parents can manage visibility in Parental Controls.

Dwarka is a coastal municipality located in the Devbhumi Dwarka district of Gujarat, India.

Dwarka (1909) (20161999144)
Dwarka (1909) (20161999144)

It sits on the western shore of the Okhamandal Peninsula. The town is positioned on the right bank of the Gomti River. This river flows into the Gulf of Kutch, which faces the Arabian Sea. Dwarka is a major spiritual center for Hindus. It is recognized as one of the Sapta Puri, or seven most ancient religious cities in India. The name Dwarka literally translates to "gateway."

Dwarkadish-temple-gujarat
Dwarkadish-temple-gujarat

The town is a vital part of the Krishna pilgrimage circuit. This circuit includes other holy sites like Vrindavan, Mathura, and Puri. Dwarka is also one of the Chardham sites. These are four sacred pilgrimage locations founded by Adi Shankaracharya. These sites are placed at the four corners of the country. One of these locations is the Dwaraka Matha, also called the western peeth. This monastic center is part of the Dwarka temple complex. The town is also a selected Heritage City under India's HRIDAY scheme.

The climate in Dwarka is classified as hot and semi-arid.

IndianCharmVendor
IndianCharmVendor

It borders a hot arid climate. The region sits near the subtropical thorn woodland biome. Rainfall is very unpredictable in this area. The average annual rainfall occurs during a short 16-day rainy season. This season lasts from June to September. The variability of rainfall here is among the highest in the world. In 1987, rainfall was very low. However, in 2010, rainfall was much higher. On July 2, 1998, a large amount of rain fell in just one day.

Religious history and legend are deeply tied to the town. According to Puranic traditions, Krishna settled here after defeating his uncle Kamsa. Legend says Krishna reclaimed 12 yojanas of land from the sea to create the city. The Dwarkadhish Temple is the main landmark. This temple is dedicated to Krishna and is also called Jagat Mandir. The current structure dates to the 15th or 16th century. However, archaeological findings suggest the original temple may date to 200 BCE. The temple is a five-storied building with 72 pillars. Its spire rises to a height of 84 meters.

Dwarakadheesh Temple, 2014
Dwarakadheesh Temple, 2014

Archaeologists have found many clues about the ancient past of Dwarka. The Archaeological Survey of India has investigated both land and offshore sites. In 1963, land excavations revealed many artifacts. Underwater excavations found submerged settlements and a large stone-built jetty. Scientists also found triangular stone anchors with three holes. These anchors suggest Dwarka was a flourishing port during India's Middle kingdoms. Some evidence suggests a settlement existed there around the 2nd millennium BCE. Coastal erosion likely caused the destruction of the ancient port.

At bet dvaraka samudram
At bet dvaraka samudram

History shows that Dwarka has faced many changes and conflicts. In 1473, the Gujarat Sultan Mahmud Begada attacked the town. He destroyed the Dwarka temple, but it was later rebuilt. During the 16th century, the idol of Dwarkadhish was hidden in a stepwell called Savitri vav. It was moved to Bet Dwarka to protect it from invaders. In 1858, a war occurred in the Okhamandal region between the British and local Vaghers. During these military operations, temples at Dwarka and Bet Dwarka were damaged and looted. The Dwarkadhish Temple was eventually renovated in 1861.

Dwarka1
Dwarka1

Today, the economy of Dwarka relies heavily on tourism. Many people visit to see the many notable temples. These include the Rukmini Devi Temple and the Gomti Ghat.

Rukmini temple
Rukmini temple

The Gomti Ghat features steps leading to the Gomti River. Pilgrims use these steps to take holy dips in the water. The town also produces salt, oilseeds, and ghee. A large wind farm near Dwarka generates 39.2 MW of power. In 2016, the Sudama Setu bridge was opened.

Sudhama setu
Sudhama setu

This bridge connects the mainland to Panchkui island. New underwater tourism is also starting soon. Submarines will take tourists 100 meters below the sea to see marine life.

640 words

Where will your curiosity go next?

Keep exploring at your chosen reading level.

🖼️ Images & Media (14)
File:Dwarkadish-temple-gujarat.jpg
Dwarkadish-temple-gujarat.jpg
File:Dwarka.jpg
Dwarka.jpg
File:Dwarka1.jpg
Dwarka1.jpg
File:Dwarka (1909) (20161999144).jpg
Dwarka (1909) (20161999144).jpg
File:Sudhama setu.jpg
Sudhama setu.jpg
File:Dwarka beach when the sea and sun sets.jpg
Dwarka beach when the sea and sun sets.jpg
File:Bhixuvulu at rukmani mandir 1.JPG
Bhixuvulu at rukmani mandir 1.JPG
File:IndianCharmVendor.jpg
IndianCharmVendor.jpg
File:Dwarakadheesh Temple, 2014.jpg
Dwarakadheesh Temple, 2014.jpg
File:Rukmini temple.JPG
Rukmini temple.JPG
File:Dwarka - Lighthouse.jpg
Dwarka - Lighthouse.jpg
File:At bet dvaraka samudram.JPG
At bet dvaraka samudram.JPG

+ 2 more

More to explore

✨ What else?

Related topics you might enjoy

🔬 Go deeper

More advanced topics to explore

🪜 Step back

Simpler topics to build understanding

What is Nepedia?

A free, ad-free encyclopedia for children. Every article is written at five reading levels, so the same page works for a five-year-old and a fifteen-year-old — use the level switcher above to see this one change. No account needed to read.