?Dwarka Gujarat • India
Dwarka
Coordinates: 22°14′N 68°58′E / 22.23, 68.97
Time zone	IST (UTC+5:30)
Area • Elevation	• 0 m (0 ft)
District(s)	Jamnagar
Population	33,614 (2001)

Coordinates: 22°14′N 68°58′E / 22.23, 68.97 Dwarka pronunciation (help·info), also spelled Dvarka, Dwaraka, and Dvaraka, is a city and a municipality located in the Jamnagar district of Gujarat state in India. Gujarat (ગુજરાત Gujǎrāt, pronounced) is a state in western India. India, officially the Republic of India (भारत गणराज्य inc-Latn Bhārat Gaṇarājya; see also other Indian languages) is a country A geographic coordinate system enables every location on the Earth to be specified in three coordinates using mainly a spherical coordinate system. Indian Standard Time ( IST) is the time observed throughout India and Sri Lanka, with a Time offset of UTC+530. UTC+530 is the Timezone for Indian Standard Time Sri Lanka Time The geography of India is diverse with landscape ranging from snow-capped mountain ranges to deserts plains rainforests hills and plateaus The elevation of a Geographic location is its height above a fixed reference point often the mean sea level. A district is an administrative division of an Indian state or territory. Jamnagar District is located in state of Gujarat, India. The headquarters is in Jamnagar. In Biology a population is the collection of inter-breeding organisms of a particular Species; in Sociology Year 2001 ( MMI) was a Common year starting on Monday according to the Gregorian calendar. A geographic coordinate system enables every location on the Earth to be specified in three coordinates using mainly a spherical coordinate system. A municipality is an administrative entity composed of a clearly defined territory and its population and commonly denotes a City, Town, or Village, or Jamnagar District is located in state of Gujarat, India. The headquarters is in Jamnagar. Gujarat (ગુજરાત Gujǎrāt, pronounced) is a state in western India. India, officially the Republic of India (भारत गणराज्य inc-Latn Bhārat Gaṇarājya; see also other Indian languages) is a country Dwarka (Dvaraka in Sanskrit - used in this article when referring to the city in a historical context), also known as Dwarawati in Sanskrit literature is rated as one of the seven most ancient cities in the country. The legendary city of Dvaraka was the dwelling place of Lord [Krishna]. It is believed that due to damage and destruction by the sea, Dvaraka has submerged six times and modern day Dwarka is the 7th such city to be built in the area.

Geography

The modern city of Dwarka is located in the Jamnagar District of Gujarat. Jamnagar District is located in state of Gujarat, India. The headquarters is in Jamnagar. Gujarat (ગુજરાત Gujǎrāt, pronounced) is a state in western India. It is located close to where the Gomti River merges into the Gulf of Kutch. The Gomti, Gumti or Gomati River (गोमती Gomtī) is a Tributary of the Ganges River. The Gulf of Kutch is an inlet of the Arabian Sea along the west coast of India, in the state of Gujarat. The city lies in the westernmost part of India. India, officially the Republic of India (भारत गणराज्य inc-Latn Bhārat Gaṇarājya; see also other Indian languages) is a country

Dwarka is located at the geographical coordinates of 22.23° N 68.97° E. ^[1] It is a relatively flat region at sea-level, having an average elevation of 0 metres (0 feet). The metre or meter is a unit of Length. It is the basic unit of Length in the Metric system and in the International A foot (plural feet or foot; symbol or abbreviation ft or sometimes &prime – the prime symbol) is a non-SI unit

Demographics

As of the 2001 Indian census,^[2] Dwarka had a population of 33,614. Year 2001 ( MMI) was a Common year starting on Monday according to the Gregorian calendar. A census is the procedure of acquiring information about every member of a given population Males constitute 53% of the population, and females constitute 47%. Dwarka has an average literacy rate of 64%, higher than the national average of 59. 5%; the male literacy rate is 72%, and the female literacy rate is 55%. In Dwarka, there are many families with young children, as 13% of the population is under six years of age.

The Dwarakadhish temple

Swarg Dwar

The temple has a five storey tower which was built by Sambha, who is the grandson of Lord Sri Krishna. The city is believed to be built by Vishwakarma, who is a celestial architect in Hinduism. Vishvakarma Or Vishwabrahmin ( Sanskrit: विश्वकर्मा viśvá-karman "all-accomplishing all-creator" is Hinduism is a religious tradition that originated in the Indian subcontinent. The temple is made of limestone and sand. There is a flag hoisted in the temple tower four times each day, which waves in the air beautifully welcoming the pilgrims. The structure of the temple is quite complicated. There are two gateways: Swarga Dwar, where pilgrims enter, and Moksha Dwar, where pilgrims exit. From the temple one can view the Sangam (confluence) of River Gomati flowing towards the sea.

In Dwaraka, there are also shrines for Vasudeva, Devaki, Balarama and Revati, Subhadra, Rukmini Devi, Jambavati Devi and Satyabhama Devi.

There is a special temple for Rukmini Devi on the way to Bet Dwarka temple. Bet Dwaraka can be reached by boat. It is also the temple which is like the palace where Lord Shri Krishna had ruled. A similar idol of Lord Dwarakanath is also kept in Bet Dwaraka. The temple looks like a palace and has many Shrines for Lakshmi Narayana, Trivikrama, Jambavati Devi, Satyabhama Devi and Rukmini Devi. Narayana ( Sanskrit: नारायण nārāyaṇa) or Narayan is an important Sanskrit name for Vishnu, and in many contemporary

Holy City

The city derives its name from word "Dwar" meaning door or gate in the Sanskrit language. A door is a panel or barrier usually hinged or sliding that is used to cover an opening in a Wall or partition going into a building or space A gate is a point of entry to a space enclosed by Walls or an opening in a Fence. Sanskrit (sa संस्कृता वाक् saṃskṛtā vāk, for short sa संस्कृतम् saṃskṛtam) is a historical Dwarka is considered to be one of the holiest cities in Hinduism and one of the 4 main "dhams" along with Badrinath, Puri, Rameshwaram. Hinduism is a religious tradition that originated in the Indian subcontinent. WikipediaWikiProject Indian cities for details --> Badrinath is a Hindu holy town and a Nagar panchayat in Chamoli district in the state WikipediaWikiProject Indian cities for details --> Puri is a city in the east Indian state of Orissa. WikipediaWikiProject Indian cities for details --> Rameswaram (Tamil ராமேஸ்வரம் is a Town in Ramanathapuram district The city is especially respected by Vaishnavas. Vaishnavism is a tradition of Hinduism, distinguished from other schools by its worship of Vishnu or its associated avatars principally as Rama and

The Jagatmandir temple which houses the Dwarkadhish, a form of Krishna is also located in Dwaraka. Krishna (कृष्ण in Devanagari kṛṣṇa in IAST, ˈkr̩ʂɳə in classical Sanskrit is a deity worshiped across many traditions of Hinduism

Nageshwar Jyotirling, one of the 12 holy shrines of Lord Shiva, is located near Dwaraka. Nageshwar Temple or Nagnath Temple is a famous Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located on the outskirts of Dwarka in Gujarat A Jyotirlinga or Jyotirling or Jyotirlingam is a shrine where Lord Shiva, an aspect of God in Hinduism is worshipped in the form Shiva:(pronunciation; Sanskrit: शिव Śiva, lit "Auspicious one" One of the Trimurtis Shiva is the supreme God in the Shaiva

Dwarka is also the site of Dwaraka Pītha (also known as Sharada Pītha), one of the four cardinal mathas established by Sri Adi Shankaracharya, the others being those at Sringeri, Puri and Jyotirmath. The Dwaraka pīţha or Dwaraka maţha is situated in the coastal city of Dwaraka, Gujarat — which itself is a popular destination of pilgrimage for the A maţha (also written math, matha or mutt) is a term for monastic and similar religious establishments of the Hindu and Adi Shankara ( Malayalam: ആദി ശങ്കരന്‍ Devanāgarī: आदि शङ्कर Ādi Śaṅkara, aːd̪i ɕaŋkərə (see below Sringeri ( Kannada: ಶೃಂಗೇರಿ also written as Shringeri, Śŗngeri and Śŗngagiri is a taluk located in Chikmagalur district in WikipediaWikiProject Indian cities for details --> Puri is a city in the east Indian state of Orissa. WikipediaWikiProject Indian cities for details --> Jyotirmath ( ज्योतिर मठ) also called Jyotir Math and Joshimath ( जोशी

Sri Dwaraknath Mahatyam

Sri Dwarakanath
Sri DwarakaNath Temple
Temple Name:	Sri Dwarakanath Temple
Alias Name:
God Name:	Kalyana Narayanan
Goddess Name:	Kalyana Nachiyaar, Rukmini Devi
Pushkarni:	Gomati Pushkarni
Vimanam:	HemaKoota Vimanam
Location:	Jamnagar
State and Country:	Gujarat, India

Adi Sankara had visited Dwarakdish Shrine and had established the Dwarka peeth. Jamnagar District is located in state of Gujarat, India. The headquarters is in Jamnagar. Gujarat (ગુજરાત Gujǎrāt, pronounced) is a state in western India. India, officially the Republic of India (भारत गणराज्य inc-Latn Bhārat Gaṇarājya; see also other Indian languages) is a country Adi Shankara ( Malayalam: ആദി ശങ്കരന്‍ Devanāgarī: आदि शङ्कर Ādi Śaṅkara, aːd̪i ɕaŋkərə (see below The Dwaraka pīţha or Dwaraka maţha is situated in the coastal city of Dwaraka, Gujarat — which itself is a popular destination of pilgrimage for the The Lord here is dressed in Kalyana Kolam where he appears to be a Royal Wedding costume. The place is so sacred as Lord Shri Krishna himself had resided and his successors had built the temple. Krishna (कृष्ण in Devanagari kṛṣṇa in IAST, ˈkr̩ʂɳə in classical Sanskrit is a deity worshiped across many traditions of Hinduism It is one of the 108 Divya desam. Divya Desams are Srivaishnava shrines that were sung about by Azhvars (divine saints

Prasadam

Prasadams vary from time to time at Dwarakadish temple. They are sugar candy, Kher, Dry Fruits, Paan, Delicious and Nutritious Food, Fruits, Meals and Saffron Sharbath.

Darshan, Sevas and Festivals

There are many Darshan and Sevas for Lord Dwaraknath. The dress is changed accordingly. The Darshan are

• Mangala
• Shringar
• Gval
• Rajbhoj
• Uthapan
• Bhog
• Sandhya Aarati
• Shayan
• Hindola

Dwarka Kingdom

A Painting depicting Krishna's Dwarka made during Akbar's reign from the Smithsonian Institution

Main article: Dwaraka Kingdom

Dwarka is mentioned in the Mahabharata, the Harivansha, the Bhagavata Purana, the Skanda Purana, and the Vishnu Purana. Akbar redirects here For other uses see Akbar (disambiguation Jalaluddin Muhammad Akbar ( Jalāl ud-Dīn Muhammad Akbar The Smithsonian Institution (smɪθsoʊnɪən is an educational and research institute and associated Museum complex administered and funded by the Government of The Harivamsha (also Harivamsa; Sanskrit Harivaṃśa sa हरिवंश "the lineage of Hari ( Vishnu)" is an important The Bhagavata Purana (also known as Śrīmad Bhāgavatam, or simply Bhāgavatam) is one of the Puranic texts of Hindu literature Skanda Purana, one of the major eighteen Puranas, a Hindu religious text is the largest Purana and is devoted mainly to the life and deed of Kartikeya It is said that this Dwarka was located near the site of the current city of Dwarka, but was eventually deserted and submerged into the sea.

Founding

Sri Krishna renounced war in Mathura for the greater good of the people living in the region (and was hence known by the name Ranchodrai') and founded the city of Dwarka. Krishna (कृष्ण in Devanagari kṛṣṇa in IAST, ˈkr̩ʂɳə in classical Sanskrit is a deity worshiped across many traditions of Hinduism Mathura ( IAST mathurā)( Hindi: मथुरा is a holy City in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. Sri Krishna had previously killed Kansa (an oppressive king who ruled the city, and his maternal uncle) and made Ugrasen (Kansa's father and his maternal grandfather) the king of Mathura. Enraged, the father-in-law of Kansa, Jarasandha (king of Magadha) with his friend Kalayavan attacked Mathura 17 times. Jarasandha ( Sanskrit: जरासंध the king of Magadha, is a character of the epic Mahābhārata. Magadha (मगध formed one of the sixteen Mahājanapadas ( Sanskrit, "great countries" or regions in ancient India. For the safety of the people, Krishna and the Yadavas decided to move the capital from Mathura to Dvaraka.

Characteristics of the City

Land was reclaimed from the sea near the western shores of Saurashtra. Saurashtra (also Soruth and Sorath) is a region of western India, located on the Arabian Sea coast of Gujarat state A city was planned and built here. Dwarka was a planned city, on the banks of Gomati River. The Gomti, Gumti or Gomati River (गोमती Gomtī) is a Tributary of the Ganges River. This city was also known as Dvaramati, Dvaravati and Kushsthali. It had six well-organized sectors, residential and commercial zones, wide roads, plazas, palaces and many public utilities. A hall called "Sudharma Sabha" was built to hold public meetings. The city also boasted having the possession of a good sea harbour.

Submersion into the Sea

After Krishna left the earth for Vaikunta and the major Yadava leaders were killed in disputes among themselves, Arjuna went to Dwarka to bring Krishna's grandsons and the Yadava wives to Hastinapur, to safety. Vaikunta (Sanskrit वैकुण्ठम् or Paramapadham is the abode of Lord Vishnu. Arjuna or Arjun ( Sanskrit: अर्जुन arjuna) is one of the heroes of the Hindu epic Mahābhārata, whose name WikipediaWikiProject Indian cities for details --> Hastinapur (हस्‍तिनापुर (Hastinapura in Sanskrit) is a town and a Nagar panchayat After Arjuna left Dwarka, it was submerged into the sea. Following is the account given by Arjuna, found in the Mahabharata:

. . . imposed on it by nature. The sea rushed into the city. It coursed through the streets of the beautiful city. The sea covered up everything in the city. I saw the beautiful buildings becoming submerged one by one. In a matter of a few moments it was all over. The sea had now become as placid as a lake. There was no trace of the city. Dwaraka was just a name; just a memory.

The Vishnu Purana also mentions the submersion of Dwarka, stating

On the same day that Krishna departed from the earth the powerful dark-bodied Kali Age descended. Kali Yuga ( Devanāgarī: sa कलियुग lit "Age of Kali " "age of vice" is one of the four stages of development that the world goes The oceans rose and submerged the whole of Dwarka.

Recent archeological findings

Gopura of Dwarakadhish Temple

The recent underwater studies conducted by the ASI (Archeological Survey of India) reveals the existence of city dated to the 2nd millennium BC. The Archaeological Survey of India is an Indian government agency in the Department of Culture that is responsible for archaeological studies and the preservation of

The search for the lost city was going on since 1930's. The Marine Archeology Unit (MAU) of the National Institute of Oceanography, took part in this search in 1983. This search was carried out in the coastal waters of Dwarka in Gujarat.

Explorations between 1983 and 1990 revealed the well-fortified township of Dvaraka, that extended more than half a mile from the shore. The township was built in six sectors along the banks of a river. The foundation of boulders on which the city's walls were erected proves that the land was reclaimed from the sea.

Dvaraka extended up to Bet Dwaraka (Sankhodhara) in the north and Okhamadhi in the south. Eastward it extended up to Pindara. The general layout of the city of Dvaraka described in ancient texts agrees with that of the submerged city discovered by MAU.

Bet Dwarka

A team of archeologists have carried out onshore and inter-tidal zone explorations and a few trial trenches were laid to trace a proper cultural sequence. The most potential sites, where a large number of antiquities were recovered are Bet Dwarka-I, II, VI, and IX.

The findings of Bet Dwarka may be divided into two broad periods: Protohistoric period which includes seal, two inscriptions, a copper fishhook and late Harappan pottery (circa 1700-1400 BC) and the Historical period consisting of coins and pottery. Onshore and inter-tidal zone explorations have indicated some kind of shoreline shifting around the Bet Dwarka island as a few sites get submerged during high tide.

Offshore explorations near present Bet Dwarka brought to light a number of stone anchors of different types that include triangular, grapnel and ring stones. They are made out of locally available rocks and their period may also be similar to those found at Dwarka and other places. Recently, Roman antiquities including shreds of amphorae and a lead ingot and lead anchors were found. Ancient Rome was a Civilization that grew out of a small agricultural community founded on the Italian Peninsula as early as the 10th century BC There is also an indication of a shipwreck of Roman period in Bet Dwarka waters.

The proposal for the Dvaraka museum, submitted by the MAU, involves laying a submarine acrylic tube through which visitors can view through glass windows the ruins of the city.

The State Government of Gujarat and the Travel & Tourism Department of Gujarat are working on this proposal (for over two decades). When completed, it will be the first museum to be built under the sea.

Compositions

Mirabai, Surdas had composed lot of songs on Dwarakdish. Mirabai (मीराबाई (1498-1547 CE) (alternate orthographies: Meera; Mira; Meera Bai) was a Hindu Surdas (1479-1586 was a Hindu devotional poet singer and a saint ( sant) who followed the Shuddhadvaita school of Brahmavada The Alwars like Tirumalisai Alvar, Nammalvar, Periyalvar, Andal, Thondaradippodi Alvar, Tirumangai Alvar have sung in praise of Dwarakanath in Tamil. The Alvars (ஆழ்வார்கள் (aːɻʋaːr ‘those immersed in god’ were Tamil poet saints of south India who lived between sixth and ninth centuries and espoused Nammalvar (also Nammaazhvaar, Nammazhvar, Nammaalvaar, Nammalwar) was one of the twelve Alvars, well-known for his many hymns One of the Alvars, he was born in a brahmin family in Srivilliputhur, near Madurai in the 6th to 9th century CE and was named vishnuchittar meaning "one who has Aandaal (ஆண்டாள் is a 10th century Tamil saint and one of the twelve Alvars (saints and the only woman Alvar of Vaishnavism. Thondaradippodi Alvar, who is also named as "Vipra Narayanar" led his life as the slave to the Perumal and worked for the Perumal by dedicating him with Garlands

Places of interest

• Nageshwar Temple, Dwarka - a famous Shiva temple and one among the 12 Jyotirlingas
• Shree Swaminarayan Temple - Dwarka
• Rukmini Hrid - collection of 7 ponds. Nageshwar Temple or Nagnath Temple is a famous Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Shiva located on the outskirts of Dwarka in Gujarat A Jyotirlinga or Jyotirling or Jyotirlingam is a shrine where Lord Shiva, an aspect of God in Hinduism is worshipped in the form Swaminarayan, the founder of the Swaminarayan Sampraday, established temples known as Mandirs ( Devnagari: स्वमिनारायन मिद्र
• Brahma kund. Brahma is the Hindu god ( deva) of creation and one of the Trimurti, the others being Vishnu and Shiva.
• Dwaraka pīţha
• Bet Dwarka, a small island near Dwarka
• Somnath Temple famous Lord Shiva Temple

References

Further reading

• S. R. Rao, The Lost City of Dvaraka National Institute of Oceanography (1999) ISBN 81-86471-48-0
• S. R. Rao, Marine Archaeology in India, Delhi, Publications Division (2001) ISBN 81-230-0785-X.
• A. S. Gaur, Sundaresh and Sila Tripati, "An ancient harbour at Dwarka: Study based on the recent underwater explorations", Current Science, Indian Academy of Sciences (May 10, 2004). On line, .pdf format.

External links

• Official website Jagad Mandir , Dwaraka
• Sri Krishna Temple, Dwaraka
• Vishwakarma, the deity of construction & Dwaraka city
• Official website of the Jagat Mandir (Dwarkadhish Temple) in Dwarka
• Iskcon
• 150 photos of Dwarka, 1280x960
• National Institute of oceanography
• How to reach Dwarka
• 4 Dhams, Dwarka Dham
• Sacred Sites, Dwaraka
• Dwaraka
• History has it. Dwarka inundated by tsunami!
• Dwaraka
• Legend of Dwarka
• Dwarka
• Dwarka temple
• Dwarka
• Submergence of Dwarka, p.22-25 (PDF)
• Marine Archaeology in the gulf of Khambat
• S.R. Rao's speech and talk(mp3)about Dwarka experiences on DeshGujarat.Com