Dvaraka (Dwaraka) is a town on the shore of Indian ocean
where Lord Krishna lived in aisvarya-lila with His queens. Original
Dvaraka is said to be under the sea, because it sink under the water
after Lord Krishna's departure...
(by clicking on the pictures
you will see 3 x bigger ones in new window.)
 |
Dvaraka is Lord Krishna's capitol, where He lived 100 years after
His departure from Mathura.
The Deity of Dvarakadish is the Deity of Trivikram associated
with a lot of opulence, achievements and fame.
|
 |
Gomati-ghat in Dvaraka (post card).
|
 |
Dvaraka is one of the sapta-puris
„seven holy towns” (Ayodhya, Mathura, Haridwar, Kasi, Ujjin, Kancipuram
and Dvaraka) and one of the four dhamas „holy places” (Ramesvaram,
Puri, Badrinath a Dvaraka). |
 |
Gomati-ghat
Dvaraka is situated on the shore of Arabic sea and was built
on four or five former towns. Archeological findings tells that
in 15-th century there was big port, since 250 kg archer was found
here. On this picture is a ghat leading into Gomati river.
|
 |
Dvarakadish temple is in
the center of the city. It was built in 16-th century. It is 78 m
high with five floors and it was build on 72 pillars. The original
temple was said to be build by Krishna's grandson Vajranabha on
the place were Krishna had His residence (hari-griha). |
 |
The shrine of the temple is at least 2500 years old.
|
 |
111 years old sadhu. |
 |
Sankaracarya's Math in Dvaraka
(Sankara is incarnation of Siva, who came to preach impersonal philosophy
to drive away Buddhism before the advent of Lord Caitanya). |
 |
Deities in the Samudra-Narayana
temple. |
 |
Gomati-ghat. |
 |
Dvaraka is nowadays town
with 30 000 inhabitants. It has pleasant climate: summers are not
so hot and winters are mild. |
 |
Monkey „Bubu”. |
 |
Bet Dvaraka is island
30 km north of Dvaraka in Arabic sea. To get there by boat takes
20 minutes from nearest town (Okha). |
 |
Bet Dvaraka is said to be the last remaining piece of land from
the original town which sink into the sea after Krishna's departure.
|
 |
There is also Dvarakadish temple and Dauji Deity of Balaram.
|
 |
The main Dvarakadish Deity. |
 |
Bet Dvaraka (island) is the place where brahmana Sudama (Krishna's
friend from gurukula) came to visit the Lord.
|
 |
Around the main temple there
are smaller shrines of Devaki, Satyabhama, Radhikaji and Jambavati. |
 |
Temple of Rukminidevi on the mainland is 1,5 km from Dvaraka
city. It is a small, but architectonicly unique temple from 12-th
century.
Rukminidevi is the foremost of 16 108 Krishna's wifes.
|
 |
Durvasa once invited Krishna and Rukmini for diner. According
to etiquette the guest should not eat or drink before host doesn't
offer anything, but Rukmini was very thirsty and asked the Lord
for help. Krishna stamped His feet on the ground and Ganges waters
appeared for Rukmini to drink. But Durvasa saw Her drinking and
cursed Her to live separately from Her husband. That is why Her
temple is outside of City and Krishna's palace is in the center
of Dvaraka.
Rukminidevi Deity in temple.
|
 |
Yogi performing sacrifice. |
 |
Sadhu (holy man). |
 |
Deity of Laksmi-Narayan and Garuda in Cakrananda-tirtha in Dvaraka.
In lower right corner is Dvaraka-sila.
|
 |
Prabhas Patan (Balka tirtha)
After the departure of Yadu dynasty Lord Krishna went to place
known as Prabhasa-ksetra near Dvaraka to depart from this world.
|
 |
It is said that under this tree Lord Krishna sat shortly before
His departure from this world.
|
 |
On the altar Krishna is lying (His white heel is visible under
flowers) with hunter Jara (on the left side) who stroked Him to
His heel. Jara is offering prayers to the Lord.
|
 |
Surroundings of the place of Krishna's departure.
|
