 Dwarka
(Jamnagar district) in ancient Anarta (Saurashtra) was the capital of
Lord Krishna's terrestrial kingdom. He shifted to Kusasthali which was
the old name of the region to escape the harassing raids of Kamsa's
father-in-law Jarasandha on Mathura after Krishna had killed Kamsa.
Kusasthali was Krishna's ancestral place on his mother's side. It was
founded by Raivata, his Yadava ancestor after he had lost his kingdom to
Punyajanas and migrated to Mathura for safety; then he came back to
found Kusasthali. So Krishna's migration to the Dwarka was in the
reverse order.
Dwarka which was known as Suvarna
Dwarka (the golden Dwarka) had been very prosperous and hence got the
name. The Dwarkadhish temple honours Krishna Bhagwan and attracts
thousands of pilgrims from different parts of the country. The Dwarka of
Krishna's time lies submerged under the Arabian Sea. Tradition has
itthat Krishna's residence was at Bet Dwarka, a few kms from the
mainland Dwarka.
The Dwarkadhish temple (also known as
Jagat temple) and its Sikhar rises to 170 feet. The pataka or flag of
the temple is changed three times a day. Pilgrims and devotees vie with
one another to pay for the flag. There are special tailors to stitch it.
Before hoisting the flag it is taken round the temple by the donor. The
five-storeyed temple stands on 60 pillars. The pilgrims enter the temple
by Swarg Dwar (the gateway of heaven) and leave by Moksh Dwar (the
gateway of salvation).
The temple has rich carvings. The
ancient shrine has been supported by kings and commoners alike from its
inception. It is one of the important moksh dhams. The Gomti
River flows nearby. |
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