Lord Krishna is unique in many ways, and his kingdom in Dwarka, Gujarat, has a temple where visitors are offered water and asked to make donations. The temple of Rukmini, the main consort of Krishna, asks for water from the visitors.
On its fifth day with the IRCTC-run Bharat Gaurav ‘Garvi Gujarat’ train, which began its eight-day journey on February 28, News 18 Bet visited Dwarkadhish Temple, Rukmini Temple and Nageshwar Jyotirlinga besides Dwarka.
Holi with Krishna in Dwarka
The day started quite early when the train reached Dwarka station around 6 am, and the Dwarkadhish temple is about 2.5 km from the railway station.
While Holi is famous in Vrindavan, the color and pomp is vivid in Dwarka as well.
As Holi draws near, people throng the temple. While it is ‘Brij ki Holi’ that hogs all the limelight, Holi with Krishna in Dwarka is no less magical.
People from all over the state come here to celebrate Holi with Krishna, the king of Dwarka. Many communities come here on foot from far and wide.
The festivities had already begun as hundreds of people lined the temple premises with colors even though it was still time for Holi.
The majestic Dwarkadhish Temple is situated beside the Gomti River and the Arabian Sea. Its massive sculptures surround the sanctum with the main Krishna idol. The walls have intricately carved mythological characters and legends.
The temple complex, which had a long queue and fast checking, has been renovated several times, especially bearing the imprint of the 16th and 19th centuries.
It is believed to have been founded 2,500 years ago by Vajranabh, the great-grandson of Lord Krishna.
Atop the 43 meter high spire is a flag made of 52 yards of cloth which flutters in the cool breeze coming from the Arabian Sea behind the temple. It is changed five times during Holi.
Rukmini Mata Mandir is about 2.5 km from Krishna Mandir. Visiting the temple is an important part of the trip as it is said that a visit to Dwarka is incomplete without visiting the Rukmini Mata Temple.
It is situated in a secluded place on the outskirts of the city. But why is this temple so far away from the Krishna temple and why does it demand and offer water?
It is said that Krishna and Rukmini invited sage Durvasa, a legendary sage, to Dwarka. In return, he asked the couple to pull a chariot to take him to his house for a meal. On the way, when Rukmini asked for water to quench her thirst, Lord Krishna stirred the ground with his toe, and the river Ganga appeared. Rukmini quenches her thirst but forgets to ask the sage whether she needs water as well. Durvasa felt insulted and cursed her that she would be separated from her husband.
This temple is believed to be located at the same place where this incident took place and this is also one of the reasons why water is offered to him by the visitors. It is said to be over 2,500 years old but may have been reconstructed over time. The present temple is said to be of 12th century. It is much more modest in structure and sculpture than Dwarkadhish but inspires the same devotional fervour.
Carvings of gods and goddesses adorn the exterior and the main idol of Rukmini is placed in the sanctum.
A slightly longer journey was followed by a visit to Bet Dwarka, located about 35 km from the Rukmini temple.
It is a small island off the coast of Dwarka and can be reached via a boat from Okha. While Dwarka was Krishna’s workplace, Byte Dwarka was his home. There is a temple of the same name in the island.
The day ended with darshan of Nageshwar Jyotirlinga. Legends say that it was here that a demon Daruka imprisoned Supriya, a devotee of Shiva.
The chants of ‘Om Namah Shivaya’ by Supriya invoked Lord Shiva who arrived here and vanquished the demon. A self-manifested Shivling appeared here and is worshiped even today.
The next two days will be visiting Sabarmati Ashram, Adhlaj stepwell, Dandi Kutir, Akshardham temple, Sun temple and Rani Ki Vav in Ahmedabad.
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