Festivals of Gujarat > Janmashtami at Dwarka
Dwarka, the city of gold. Dwarka, the abode of Shri
Krishna. This is how devotees think of the city where Lord Krishna settled over 5000 years
ago after leaving Mathura for ever, and where he reigned for 100 years. For pilgrims
Dwarka's, presiding deity remains Shri Krishna, and they flock there in their thousands
from all parts of India and abroad. The temple, towering over the surrounding buildings
was built 1400 years ago. It has several floors and is built of sandstone. The interior is
simple while the exterior is covered with elaborate carvings.
Janmashtami, the birthday of Shri Krishna, is
celebrated with great splendour. Rows of lights are lit everywhere, kirtans and bhajans
are sung, sermons are delivered and Krishna is worshipped in his infant form. Thousands of
people go to Dwarka to visit the temple and participate in the fair. After visiting the
main temple, devotees go to Shankhoddhar Beyt. There are some other important temples,
both old and new. Among these is the temple of Shank-Narayan, dedicated to the
Matsyavatar, the incarnation of Vishnu as a fish. This was constructed over 200 years ago.
Excursion
:
Dwarka can be reached by train on the
Viramagam-Okha. broad -gauge line. It is 132 km, from Jamnagar, 234 km from Rajkot, and
only 450 Km from Ahmedabad. A state highway also links the city with the. main part of
Saurashtra.
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