Tourist Destination near ‎Dwarka, Gujarat

The ancient city of Dwarka is not only known for being the ancient kingdom of Lord Krishna but is also known for being one of the best places to visit in the westernmost state of Gujarat. The entire region is studded with age old, charming and antiquated buildings and structures which represents the grandeur of the bygone era. A tour of Dwarka will enlighten your soul and perspective. Being located at the mouth of Gulf of Kutch travelers and visitors will be presented with glorious and majestic views of the shimmering, glittering and the never-ending sea. From paying a visit to the highly revered Hindu temple of Dwarkadheesh to spending some quality time with your family and loved ones on the clean and washed up beaches, Dwarka is truly a hidden gem waiting to be explored. Visitors and devotees will never run out of places to visit in Dwarka.

If you are planning to visit this ancient town, here are a few places which you cannot afford to miss out on your trip to Dwarka:

Dwarkadhish Temple:

Situated on the Gomti Creek dating back to 2,200 years, and also known as Jagat Mandir this extremely important Hindu pilgrimage destination is dedicated to Lord Krishna. This magnificent, towering 5 storied building is said to be constructed by Lord Krishna’s grandson, Vajranabha over Lord Krishna’s residence. Along with being the 98th divya desam of Lord Vishnu it is also a part of the all India Chardham Yatra among other three yatra sites of Rameshwaram, Badrinath and Puri. Nestled between the main Dwarka town and coast of the ocean this is one of the most visited temples in India. The entire temple structure is adorned with intricately carved designs and structures complete with a gleaming black idol of the presiding deity.

Be sure to take a dip in the holy River Gomti before proceeding towards the temple.

Visitation Timings: – 6 am to 1 am / 5 pm to 9:30 pm

Bhadkeshwar Mahadev Temple:

Situated on the edge of Dwarka atop a hillock amidst the shimmering blue Arabian seas, a visit to this Shaivite temple will definitely rejuvenate your sense from inside out. Built almost 5,000 years ago and dedicated to Lord Shiva the ethereal and gleaming beauty of this temple is unparalleled. Constructed by Jagadguru Shankaracharya on the confluence of rivers Gomti, Ganga and the Arabian Sea one of the unique features about this temple is the fact that the path leading up to the main shrine from the shore gets submerged under water during high tide of the sea during the months of June and July. When this phenomenon occurs the visit to the temple is completely cut off however, the well-made path during the ebb time makes the temple easily accessible.

Be sure to plan your trip wisely in order to avoid hassles.

Best Time to Visit: – August, May and January

Temple Timings: – 6 am to 7 pm

Dwarka Beach:

Along with being one of the most holy centres in India, Dwarka is also home to some of the most remarkable beaches. Along with being one of the popular beaches of Dwarka this place is known for its vibrant turquoise waters and soft white sand where everyone gathers to spend some quality time relaxing and gazing at the unending sea. The beach is situated close to numerous other important temples within the area making it one of the prime spots for relaxation. You tour to Dwarka remains incomplete without a visit to this magnificent beach which is teeming with people all year long. You can go on a ferry ride and feed nuts to seagulls and also enjoy the rich fauna present in the area like, dolphins, octopuses, sea turtles, starfish, sea urchins and much more. Another attraction on the beach is the lighthouse which reminds the visitors of the past when this place was the overseas trading centre.

Best Time to Visit: – October to March

Beach Timings: – Open throughout

Dunny Point:

Located in Beyt Dwarka and at a distance of 2-3 km from the closest embarking spot, this unevenly bordered beach is one of the most hidden gems of Dwarka. This point is covered from three sides and is home to clear, transparent gleaming blue water. It is also one of the very first eco-tourism sites in Gujarat this point is embraced with coral islands. If you are looking for an oasis where you and your family can have a relaxing time during your weekend getaway to Gujarat then a visit to Dunny point will be the best place to go. Indulge in some fun beach side activities here like beach volleyball, kite flying, Frisbee and much more. You can also witness some interesting aquatic fauna in the region like dolphins. Camping along with a campfire with your friends at this point will prove to be a memorable experience.

Best Time to Visit: – October to June

Visitation Timing: – 6:30 am to 1 pm / 5 pm to 9:30 pm

Nageshwar Jyotirlinga Temple:

Dedicated to Lord Shiva this temple is known for being one of the 12 jyotirlingas that have been mentioned in the Shiva Puranas. It is also one of the 12 Swayambhu (self-existing) jyotirlingas in the entire world making it a vital pilgrimage site for Shaivites and Lord Shiva worshippers. One of the main features and top attractions of this temple is the giant 25 metres tall and extremely artistic Lord Shiva statue that adorns the place and mesmerizes the tourists and pilgrims. Situated between the main city of Dwarka and Beyt Dwarka Island on the coast of Saurashtra, this magnificent work of art is impossible to be missed out on. People believe that devotees who pray at this temple attain freedom from all the types of poisons, snake bites and other worldly attractions. Another unique feature of this temple is the fact that the linga here is facing towards South unlike other Nageshwara temples.

Best Time to Visit: – October to February

Temple Timings: – 6 am to 9 pm

Beyt Dwarka:

This inhabited island located on the Gulf of Kutch is located at a comfortable distance of 3 km off the coast of Okha. According to history this sand and stone holy island has found its mention in epics like Mahabharata and Skanda purana as a part of Lord Krishna’s kingdom before it was flooded and submerged underwater. Remains of the lost city have been found by archeologists in recent ages. Numerous temples were built all over the island during the end of 18th century making it one of the prime pilgrimage spots in Gujarat. Some of the most highly revered pilgrimage sites include Shri Keshavraiji Temple, Hanuman Dandi, Vaishnav Mahaprabhuji Baithak, Sidi Bawa peer dargah, gurudwara, haji kirmani dargah among others. The island is accessible via a 15 minutes long ferry service and is also developed as a part of Gujarat’s eco-tourism plan.

Best Time to Visit: – October to May

Gomati Ghat:

Located on the mouth of River Gomti this holy ghat is situated inside the city of Dwarka. Devotees are expected to walk down 56 steps in order to reach the ghat and take a holy dip. This ghat holds immense religious and mythological significance. It is said that this river is the daughter of sage Vashishtha and her water carries powers which absolves all of the mortal sins. People come here to take a holy dip in the river water’s Gomti kund to cleanse themselves of all their sins. The Gomti kund is located close to the famous Gomati Sangam ghat in Dwarka. Pilgrims and devotees visiting this kund also pay a visit to the different shrines surrounding the area which are dedicated to Lord Krishna, Sudama, Lord Rama and Lord Shiva. Boating in the holy river will offer some of the most panoramic and breathtaking views of the surrounding.

Best Time to Visit: – October to February

Gopi Talav:

Located at a distance of 21 km north of Dwarka and 5 km from Nageshwara jyotirlinga mandir, Gopi Talav is a small tank/pond which is surrounded by yellow sand which is popularly known as Gopi Chandan. Upon their visit, the devotees put this Tilak Chandan on their foreheads and body during their visit here. From the ancient times it present day the Chandan produced in this area is still extremely smooth and yellow in outlook. This place holds immense significance in Hindu mythology for being the place where Lord Krishna used to entice the gopis. It is also believed that Lord Krishna had killed Bhaumasura (demon) and freed all the 16,000 princesses at this very site. This site is named after the princess Gopi, who had fallen in love with Lord Krishna and wished to marry him. This place is situated en route Beyt Dwarka and can be easily reached.

Best Time to Visit: – September to March