preparations for janmashtami
People make various plans to celebrate the festival of Janmashtami. Some people decorate tableaux of Lord Krishna in their homes, while others go to Mathura and Vrindavan to celebrate this festival. If you are also planning to visit Shri Krishna on this Janmashtami, then you can visit some famous temples of Lord Shri Krishna from Gujarat to Dwarka. Dwarkadhish temple, which is dedicated to Lord Krishna, is filled with special splendor on the occasion of Janmashtami.
places to visit in dwarka
Dwarka is not only a place of temples but also has many ancient temples, beaches and other religious places. If you are planning a 2 to 3 day trip from Delhi, then you can enjoy sightseeing as well as sightseeing here. Apart from Dwarkadhish Temple, Nageshwar Jyotirling, Bet Dwarka, Rukmini Devi Temple and Shivrajpur Beach are also major attractions here. In this article we will discuss this journey in detail.
Darshan in Dwarkadhish Temple
When you reach Dwarka, first check-in at the hotel and then after refreshment, visit Dwarkadhish Temple. It is also called Jagat Mandir, and according to religious belief, it was founded by Vajranabha, the grandson of Lord Krishna. This temple is situated at a height, where one has to climb more than 50 stairs to reach it. The timings for visiting the temple are 07:00 AM to 12:30 PM and 05:00 PM to 09:00 PM. There may be more crowd here during Janmashtami, hence change in timings is possible.
Features worth seeing in the temple
Apart from visiting the temple, you can see many other things.
Have darshan of the Dwarkadhish form of Lord Krishna.
See the beautiful carvings and high spire of the temple.
Explore the small temples surrounding the temple.
Enjoy the breathtaking view of the Arabian Sea.
Also visit Sudama Setu near Gomti Creek.
How to reach Dwarka from Delhi
The distance from Delhi to Dwarka is quite a distance, so it is necessary to plan the journey properly. You can reach Dwarka by train, which is a budget friendly option. The distance from Delhi to Dwarka is approximately 1325 to 1335 km, and it may take 23 to 24 hours.
You can also go to Dwarka by flight. The nearest air connections to Dwarka are Jamnagar and Porbandar. Porbandar Airport is approximately 136 km from Dwarka, while Jamnagar Airport is at a distance of 105 km. After reaching here you can go to Dwarka by bus or cab.
If you don't want to travel by flight or train, you can plan a road trip, but it can be tiring as the distance is around 1450 to 1460 km.
Other places of interest
After visiting Dwarkadhish Temple, you can also visit other sites.
bet dwarka
After visiting the temple, you can visit Bet Dwarka, which is an island located near the sea. It is considered to be the abode of Shri Krishna. There are also temples of Vishnu, Shiva, Lakshmi-Narayan and Hanuman here. Keep in mind not to visit here in the evening.
Nageshwar Jyotirlinga
One can also visit Nageshwar Jyotirlinga, one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva in Dwarka. Near the temple there is also the Gopi Talab Tirtha, which is associated with Lord Krishna and the Gopis. If you are interested in religious places, then definitely include this in your trip.
Rukmini Devi Temple
When visiting Dwarka, do not forget to visit Rukmini Devi Temple. Carvings of gods and goddesses and various figures can be seen on the outer walls of the temple. This temple is believed to be of the 12th century.
Shivrajpur Beach
After visiting the temples and religious places, you can also visit Shivrajpur Beach, which is about 12 km from Dwarka. If you are fond of adventure, then you can do activities like snorkeling, banana ride, and scuba diving here. The timing of visiting here is from 8 am to 7 pm, and a ticket of Rs 30 will have to be taken for entry.
Accommodation in Dwarka
Hotels and tourist stays are available to stay in Dwarka. But there is more crowd during Janmashtami, so book the hotel in advance. Make sure the hotel is close to the temple, so that you can reach easily.
what to try for food
In Dwarka you can taste the local cuisine of Gujarat. Try Gujarati Thali, Khaman, Jalebi-Fafda and other Gujarati dishes. This will make your journey more fun. If you keep fast on the occasion of Janmashtami, fruit food is also available in the hotel or nearby eateries.
Things to keep in mind while traveling
The temple may be overcrowded on the occasion of Janmashtami, so reach on time.
Book your train, hotel or flight in advance.
While going to Bet Dwarka, book your return taxi beforehand.
Follow the rules while going to the beach.
Keep water with you considering the heat and humidity.