Dwarka is a top tourist destination in India, popularly known for religious pilgrimages. The city of Dwarka is located along the banks of River Gomti on the western tip of Saurashtra peninsula in the northwestern state of Gujarat, about 100km from Porbandar. The ancient city of Dwarka is believed to be founded by the mythological Hindu deity, Lord Krishna and its existence dates back to the pre-Mahabharata period. Read on to get a clear picture of the top things to do in Dwarka City.
What is Dwarka famous for?
The main appeal of Dwarka City is the sacred temples; the city offers stiff competition to other top religious places like Haridwar and Rishikesh. The city is often dubbed as the ‘Home of Lord Krishna’ and is famous for housing Nageshwar Jyotirlinga (one of the twelve Jyotirlingas in the country) and the ancient underwater settlements submerged in the sea.
Bucket-list of Top Things to do in Dwarka City:
Take a Temple Tour of Dwarka City
The city is dotted with numerous temples and religious places of interest. The must-visit religious sites are Dwarkadheesh Temple, Nageshwar Jyotirlinga, Rukmini Temple, and ISKCON Temple. No temple tour is complete without exploring Dwarkadheesh as it is the most-visited temple of Dwarka city. The main highlights of Dwarkadheesh Temple, Gujarat are a 5-storied shrine, an exotically carved entrance and an idol of Krishna made out of black marble.
Watch the Flag change at Dwarkadheesh Temple
The flag atop the temple bears the symbols of the sun and the moon and the flag is changed 5 times in a single day; thrice in the morning and twice in the evening. Watching the flag change at Dwarkadheesh Temple in Dwarka is such a gorgeous sight and is something that one cannot miss during this tour. The temple flag is sponsored by the Guggali Brahmin family and one of the members climbs to the top of the temple Shikara to change the flag amidst ceremonial singing and dancing.
Shop for Local Souvenirs of Dwarka City
There’s no better way to enjoy a new destination than buying the local souvenirs of the place for treasuring unforgettable moments. When in Dwarka City, make sure you buy these local souvenirs: traditional handloom garments, images of Dwarkadheesh, conch-shaped seashells, circular-shaped chakrashilas (coral formations), and gopi Chandan (dry soil of Gopi Talav).
Take a Camel Ride on the Banks of Gomti River
The banks of the Gomti River are an excellent location for taking camel rides and perfect for amusing little children. You will also find two temples and five sweet-water wells that are believed to be in existence because of the five Rishis who brought them to this place. Reading the names of the five sweet-water wells and the five Rishis written on the display boards near is interesting, to say the least.
Explore the Beautiful Sunset Points of Dwarka
The city of Dwarka has some amazing sunset points for watching the beautiful sun melt into the sky. Sudama Setu along Gomti River and Dwarka Beach are the best sunset points. Sudama Setu is a cable bridge built by the Reliance Group and has an entrance fee for walking over it while Dwarka Beach is a popular spot with stunning views of the Arabian Sea. A walk on Sudama Setu and Dwarka Beach is a must for watching the beautiful sunsets in Dwarka and don’t forget to take snapshots of the picturesque sights.
Now that you have got a good insight on the best things to do in Dwarka City, Gujarat, it’s about time you planned for a holiday to actually experience them. The nearest airport to Dwarka is Jamnagar Airport, about 45 km from the city centre. Have your cheap flights to India booked on Indian Eagle right away for huge savings on airfares?