SRI DWARKA DHAMA
YATRA
THEIR LORDSHIPS SRI SRI DWARKADHISHA JI
The Main Presiding Deity of Sri Dwarka Dhama
“WELCOME TO DWAKA DHAMA” -
This
18m (61 ft) tall, 15m (50 ft) wide memorial gate is situated on the
main road entering Sri Dwarka Dhama from the eastern side. It is built
to commemorate the ISKCON Sankirtana Padayatra which began in 1984 from
Sri Dwarka Dhama. The first Padayatra was from Sri Dwarka Dhama in
Gujarat to Sri Mayapur Dhama in West Bengal which completed a 14,000km
walking tour chanting Lord Krishna’s Holy Name - Hare Krishna Hare Krishna Krishna Krishna Hare Hare | Hare Rama Hare Rama Rama Rama Hare Hare || around India, passing through 15 states.
Places to Visit:
1. Sri Dwarkadhisa Temple, Dwarka (This is the Office of Lord Sri Krishna at Sri Dwarka Dhama)
2. Bet Dwarka Temple - Bet Dwarka is submerged within the sea (This is the residence of Lord Sri Krishna at Sri Dwarka Dhama)
3. Sri Rukmini Ji Temple, Dwarka
4. Gopi Talav, Dwarka
5. Sri Nageshwar Jyotirlinga Temple, Dwarka
6. Gomati River Ghata, Dwarka
7. Panchanada Tirtha or Pandava Wells, Dwarka
8. ISKCON Sri Sri Rukmini-Dwarkadhisa Temple, Dwarka
9. Sri Sudamapuri, Porbandar - Birthplace and Residence of Sri Sudama Ji, dear-most childhood friend of Lord Sri Krishna
10. Mul Dwarka - Place where Lord Sri Krishna and Lord Balarama stayed for 6-8 months before going to Dwarka
11. Jambavan
Caves, Ranavav - Place where Jambavan lived. Both Jambavan and Lord Sri
Krishna fought here for 28 days for Shyamataka jewel, when Jambavan
finally realized that the person he is fighting with is the Lord of his
heart, Lord Krishna who is non-different from Lord Rama. Lord Krishna
then out of His causeless mercy to His dear-devotee showed His form of
Lord Rama.
12. Madhavpur Ghed - where Lord Sri Krishna and Sri Rukmini Ji married after Lord kidnapped Rukmini Ji from Amravati.
13. Sri Bhalka Tirtha, Vereval
14. Somnath Jyotirlinga Temple
1. LORD DWARKADHISA TEMPLE
Lord Sri Krishna’s Royal Home
Also known as SRI DWARKA TRILOKYA JAGAT MANDIR
DWARKA is
the sacred city where Lord Krishna, the Supreme Personality of Godhead,
spent most of His time during His appearance on earth five thousand
years ago. He performed wonderful pastimes there, including expanding
into 16,108 forms and creating 16,108 palaces for His 16,108 queens. In
Vrindavana, Lord Krishna lived as a simple cowherd boy, but in Dwarka He
lived as a wealthy prince. Krishna spent one hundred years here, longer
than He spent in Vrindavana and Mathura combined. Modern-day Dwarka is a
small city with an area of sixteen square miles and a population of
around thirty thousand.
Dwarka
means "gateway to the Supreme" or "city of gates." Traditionally, an
opulent city would have many gates, indicating the king's confidence in
protecting the city. The original city of Dwarka, described in the Srimad-Bhagavatam,
the Mahabharata, and other Vedic scriptures, was a fort city built
within the sea. Lord Krishna built Dwarka to protect His kinsmen, the
Yadu dynasty, from repeated attacks by kings and armies intent on
killing Him. By the will of the Lord, Dwarka disappeared into the sea at
the time of the Lord's departure from this world. Archaeological
excavations have brought out from the sea many artefacts suggesting that
an opulent city stood there in the distant past.
Srila Prabhupada writes: "The
heavenly planets are more celebrated than the earth. But the celebrity
of earth has defeated that of the heavenly planets because of Dvaraka,
where Lord Sri Krishna reigned as king. Three places, namely Vrindavana,
Mathura, and Dvaraka, are more important than the famous planets within
the universe. These places are perpetually sanctified because whenever
the Lord descends on earth He displays His transcendental activities
particularly in these three places. They are perpetually the holy lands
of the Lord, and the inhabitants still take advantage of the holy
places, even though the Lord is now out of their sight." (Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.10.27, Purport)
Krishna Married 16,108 queens! How did He interact with them…how they stayed …..
This
questions always arises in the mind of a sincere seeker….. And their
answer can instil great deal of faith for those visiting Dwarka.
“When
Krishna was here He was performing different activities with each and
every one of His queens intimately. None of them ever felt lonely for
even a second. And when Krishna would rise early in the morning to
perform His sadhana as a perfect ghrihasta, He would rise before
the rooster crowed in the morning and He would perform mediation,
perform pooja, giving charity and later in the day He would leave each
of His 16108 palaces to go to perform his duties as Dwarkadish, the king
of Dwarka assisting King Ugrasena and He would go to the Sudharma
assembly house and the Srimad-Bhagavatam explains how He would
leave his 16108 forms, but just before entering into the Sudharma
assembly house all the forms would merge into one form and then he would
rule the state of Dwarka. And when it was time to return home and meet
his queens He would expand into 16108 forms and enjoy loving
relationships with them. ”
“One
may ask how is it possible that Krishna could live in 16108 palaces
simultaneously. Because Krishna is the Absolute Truth, He is the
embodiment of Adhyatamik Shakti, inconceivable potencies, He can do
everything. And Krishna can do anything and when Krishna comes to this
earth He wants to show His Supremacy. That if He came like an ordinary
person who would chant His glories. Therefore He reveals his wonderful,
wonderful inconceivable super excellent activities simply to attract all
our minds .”
The
present city Dvaraka ("Dwarka" on the map) is on the shore of Arabian
Sea. It has a resident population of approximately 30,000, and a tourist
population that fluctuates with the seasons. Even though it's remote on
the west coast in Gujarat state, devotees endeavour to come from far
and wide to have the Darshan of Their Lordships Sri Sri Dwarkadhisa.
Dwarka is one of the most important places to visit because it is one
of the four prominent holy places in the cardinal directions of India:
Dwarka (west), Jagannatha Puri (east), Rameswaram (south), and Badrinath
(north). The atmosphere in Dwarka is peaceful. The people are pious and
don't seem harassed by many problems.
SRI SRI DWARKADHISA TEMPLE and sacred GOMATI RIVER
SRI SRI DWARKADHISA TEMPLE
THEIR LORDSHIPS SRI SRI DWARKADHISA JI
The Main Presiding Deity of Sri Dwarka Dhama
SRI SRI DWARKADHISA TEMPLE - on right side is the main entrance
The seven-story high temple is built on 72 pillars.
From the temple dome waves an 84 foot-long multi-colored flag decorated with the symbols of the sun and moon.
SRI SRI DWARKADHISA TEMPLE at night
Lord Krishna’s Entrance to Sri Dwarka
"The
inhabitants of Dwarka were regularly accustomed to look upon the
reservoir of all beauty, the infallible Lord, yet they were never
satiated. The Lord's chest is the abode of the goddess of fortune. His
moonlike face is the drinking vessel for eyes which hanker after all
that is beautiful. His arms are the resting places for the
administrative demigods. And His lotus feet are the refuge of pure
devotees who never talk or sing of any subject except His Lordship. As
the Lord passed along the public road of Dwarka, His head was protected
from the sunshine by a white umbrella. White feathered fans moved in
semicircles, and showers of flowers fell upon the road. His yellow
garments and garlands of flowers made it appear as if a dark cloud were
surrounded simultaneously by sun, moon, lightning and rainbows." [Srimad-Bhagavatam 1.11.25-27]
The
gardens and parks were full of various flowers of different colors and
orchards that were overloaded with a variety of fruits. Beautiful birds
were chirping, and peacocks were delightfully crowing. There were tanks
and ponds full of blue and red lotus flowers, and some of these sites
were filled with varieties of lilies. The lakes were full of nice swans
and cranes whose voices resounded everywhere. In the city there were as
many as 900,000 great palaces built of first-class marble with gates and
doors made of silver. The posts of the houses and palaces were bedecked
with jewels such as touchstone, sapphires, and emeralds, and the floors
gave off a beautiful luster. The highways, lanes and streets,
crossings, and marketplaces were all beautifully decorated. The whole
city was full of residential homes, assembly houses, and temples, all of
different architectural beauty. All of this made Dwarka a glowing city.
(Krishna book, Vol. 2, p. 242)
Mood of Dwarka
Because
Lord Krishna lived in Dwarka as a prince, He is worshiped there in that
mood. The Dwarkadhisa Deity is opulently dressed, and the symbols in
His four hands (conch, club, disc, and lotus) are covered in silver.
During the worship, brahmanas colorfully dressed with solid red or
yellow dhotis and with shirts made from flags that have flown over the
temple beat drums and blow conch shells.
The
original Dwarkadhisa Temple was built by Vajranabha the great grandson
of Lord Sri Krishna more than 2500 years back on the Hari Gruha, the
erstwhile palace of Lord Sri Krishna in Dwarka. Temple was in an
umbrella shape initially. Since then temple structure has undergone many
changes. Currently called as Jagat Mandir also known as Nija Mandir,
the 16th century old structure of the main temple is a glorious one
exquisitely carved with the temple tower reaching a height of 52 meters.
Built in an area of approx 600 square meters the splendid Jagat Mandir
situated on the banks of river Gomati at a height of 70 feet above the
sea level has two gigantic towers. One with a height of 170 feet which
is seven storied called as Ladwa Shikar and the other with a height of
157 feet which is five storied called as Nija Shikar.
The
seven-story high Dwarkadhisa temple is built on seventy-two pillars.
From the temple dome waves an eighty four-foot-long multi-colored flag
decorated with the symbols of the sun and moon. The Deity of Lord
Dwarkadhisha is enshrined in the Nija Shikar in the Sabha Mantap
supported by 60 pillars. Construction of the chariot like temple is
based on 72 exquisitely carved monolithic pillars built with granite and
stone without any arch. The temple consists of a sanctum, vestibule and
a rectangular hall with porches on three sides.
Devotees
have to climb around 56 steps, representing the 52 administrative
divisions of the Yadava kingdom and remaining four represents Krishna,
Balaram, Pradyuman and Anirudhha, respectively. This Jagat Mandir has
two main entrances, one facing north and another facing the south. The
north entrance, which is also the main entrance to the temple, is known
as the 'Moksha Dwara' (Door to Salvation). This entrance also leads
towards the town market near the temple. The south entrance of the
temple is known as the 'Swarga Dwara' (Gate to Heaven). This entrance
opens towards the Gomati River, where devotees are required to take a
bath before entering the temple. The main deity in the temple is Lord
Dwarkadhisa or Lord Krishna.
Within
the compound of the Dwarkadhisa temple, built in the sixteenth century,
are many small shrines, including those of Laksmi, Siva, Radhika,
Balarama, Pradyumna, Aniruddha, Jambavati, Satyabhama, and Purusottama
Visnu. Directly facing Dwarkadhisa is the shrine of Devaki, Krishna's
mother. She's looking at Krishna, and He's looking at her. In the Devaki
shrine after the mangala-arati, brahmana boys sit in brightly
colored clothes and chant Vedic scriptures, creating a soothing and
auspicious atmosphere. Dwarka is a pleasant town on the coast, with a
nice strip of beach. The sea is calm there. The climate is moderate, not
too hot in summer or too cold in winter. As per the temple sources more
than five million people have visited the Jagat Mandir per year.
Dwarka Fifty Centuries Ago
The following description of Dwarka during Krishna's presence there appears in the Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.69.1-12) in connection with the sage Narada's visit:
“The
City was filled with the sounds of birds and bees flying about the
parks and pleasure gardens, while its lakes, crowded with blooming
indivara, ambhoja, kahlara, kumuda, and utpala lotuses, resounded with
the calls of swans and cranes. Dwarka boasted 900,000 royal palaces, all
constructed with crystal and silver and splendorously decorated with
huge emeralds. Inside these palaces, the furnishings were bedecked with
gold and jewels. Traffic moved along a well laid-out system of
boulevards, roads, intersections, and marketplaces, and many assembly
houses and temples of demigods graced the charming city. The roads,
courtyards, commercial streets, and residential patios were all
sprinkled with water and shaded from the sun's heat by banners waving
from flagpoles. In the city of Dwarka was a beautiful private quarter
worshiped by the planetary rulers. This district, where the demigod
Visvakarma had shown all his divine skill, was the residential area of
Lord Hari [Krishna], and thus it was gorgeously decorated by the sixteen
thousand palaces of Lord Krishna's queens. Narada Muni entered one of
these immense palaces.
Supporting
the palace were coral pillars decoratively inlaid with vaidurya gems.
Sapphires bedecked the walls, and the floors glowed with perpetual
brilliance. In that palace Tvasta had arranged canopies with hanging
strands of pearls; there were also seats and beds fashioned of ivory and
precious jewels. In attendance were many well-dressed maidservants
bearing lockets on their necks, and also armor-clad guards with turbans,
fine uniforms, and jeweled earrings. The glow of numerous jewel-studded
lamps dispelled all darkness in the palace. My dear king, on the ornate
ridges of the roof danced loudly crying peacocks, who saw the fragrant
aguru incense escaping through the holes of the latticed windows and
mistook it for a cloud.”
In
His mercy, Lord Sri Krishna has left us a replica Dwarka to point us
back to our eternal destination. Every year on January 26, ISKCON hold
its annual Lord Jagannatha Rathayatra in Sri Dwarka Dhama which is
attended by hundreds of devotees from throughout India and abroad.
2. BET DWARKA
Bet Dvaraka
is island 30 km north of Dwarka in Arabic sea near village named Okha.
To get there by boat takes 20 minutes from Okha. Bet Dwarka got this
name because Lord’s childhood friend Sri Sudama Ji gave Him the Bet
(gift) here. Bet Dwarka is the ‘residence of the Lord Dwarkadhisa’ and the Dwarkadhisa Temple at Dwarka town is the ‘office of Lord Dwarkadhisa’. Both these are the original abode of Lord Sri Krishna. Bet Dwarka is also known as Raman Dvipa,
as Lord Krishna preferred to reside here with His family. The sacred
island of Bet Dwarka island is said to be the last remaining piece of
land from the original town which sink into the sea after Lord Sri
Krishna's departure. The main Temple on the island was built by Sri
Vallabhacharya about 500 years ago and has Deity of Sri Sri Dwarkadhisa
which was made by His consort, Sri Rukmini Ji. Lord Sri Krishna
(Dwarkadhisa) at Bet Dwarka in a similar posture as in Dwarka town with
difference of holding Shanka (Conch) in oblique position. Bet Dwarka is
the place where brahmana Sudama (Krishna's friend from gurukula) came to
visit the Lord. Inside the Temple there is the exact
place where Lord Sri Krishna welcomed His Sri Sudama Ji and washed his
feet. It is considered important to make donation towards food grains
etc. at the temple. Around the main temple there are smaller shrines of Devaki, Satyabhama, Radhikaji and Jambavati. The
temple also has a goshala and Maha-Prasadam bhojanalya. Every day
around 1pm Sri Sri Dwarkadhisa’s Maha-Prasadam is served here.
BET DWARKA is submerged within the sea.
Only
main remnant portion of Bet Dwarka is on an island about 5 kms from the
main land. This is the main temple and also the residence of Lord Sri
Krishna. One has to take a ferry to reach to Bet Dwarka which takes
about 20mins to reach.
BET DWARKA TEMPLE
THEIR LORDSHIPS SRI SRI DWARKADHISA JI at Bet Dwarka
Lord
Sri Krishna (Dwarkadhisa) at Bet Dwarka in a similar posture as in
Dwarka town with difference of holding Shanka (Conch) in oblique
position.
Hanuman Dandi Temple: Six
km away from Dwarkadhisa temple is the Hanuman Dandi Temple, This is
the place where Hanuman Ji and his son Makardhwaj had met. This is the
only place where the Deity of Hanuman Ji and his son Makardhwaj can be
seen. Local vehicles are available to visit Hanuman Dandi temple.
3. SRI RUKMINI JI TEMPLE
History of Sri Rukmini Ji Temple
One
day sage, Durvasa Muni, who was easily angered, was invited to dinner
by Lord Sri Krishna and his wife, Sri Rukmini Ji. Durvasa Muni agreed to
come on condition that Krishna and Rukmini would have to pull his
chariot instead of any animal. Sri Krishna & Rukmini happily agreed
to do so. While pulling the chariot, Rukmini Ji became thirsty. She
sought the help of Lord Sri Krishna. In order to bail her out, Lord Sri
Krishna stopped the chariot and with His toe He dig the earth to draw a
spring of the holy Ganges water. Rukmini took a sip without offering to
Durvasa Muni. Annoyed by her impoliteness he gave following two curses:
(1) he cursed Rukmini Ji that she would be separated from her beloved
husband for 12 years. (2) For 16 kms around Dwarka the water will be
salty and undrinkable. Due to this curse Sri Rukmini Ji had to stay here
for 12 years and did penances. That is the reason why Lord Krishna's
temple is in the Dwarka town and hers is positioned outside the Dwarka.
And because of the second curse by Durvasa Muni, till today the water of
Dwarka is salty and undrinkable.
This
is the spot where Rukmini Devi did the penance and Mother Ganges
manifested as a spring through a pastime of Lord Sri Krishna. This
Temple is located 2 km away from Dwarka's Jagat Mandir. It is widely
believed that the pilgrimage to Dwarka is incomplete if a devotee
doesn't go to offer prayers at Rukmini Temple even if he has worshiped
the Lord at Dwarkadhisa temple.
The
temple is an architectural masterpiece. The temple was built by the
great grandson of Lord Sri Krishna, King Vajranabha. There is a
beautiful marble Deity of Sri Rukmini Devi with Chaturbhuja (four hands)
holding Shanka, Chakra, Gada and Padma indicating that she is the
avathara of Goddess Sri Maha Lakshmi the consort of Lord Narayana. The
temple walls are decorated with beautiful paintings depicting her
pastimes with Sri Krishna.
SRI RUKMINI JI TEMPLE, 2 kms from Sri Dwarka Dhama
SRI RUKMINI JI at Sri Rukmini Temple, Sri Dwarka Dhama
4. GOPI TALAV
Padma Purana
explains that in one kalpa during Lord Sri Krishna's Bhauma Vrindavana
(earthly) pastimes, the Vraja-gopis went near Dwarka to dance with their
beloved in a secluded forest beside the sea, 20 km north of Dwarka on
the night of Sharad Purnima (full moon) and once again danced with him.
Krishna secretly left His palace, abandoned His royal insignias, robes,
opulent crown and other trimmings of a King, and again adorned Himself
in his gopa-vesh, simple dress of a Vrindavana cowherd boy - with
a red turban and peacock feather atop His head, a flowing lightning
gold dhoti and diaphanous yellow chaddar, a yellow karnikara flower
stuck above one ear, a gunja berry necklace swinging from His neck, and
His indomitable instrument - flute (murali).
After
hours of wonderful dancing and transcendental expressions, Lord Sri
Krishna took the Gopis to swim in a nearby lake to relieve their
fatigue. All the body powders, unguents, oils and pastes of sandalwood,
musk, jasmine, saffron and various colored minerals washed off their
transcendental bodies as they splashed each other and played about.
Unable to part from Krishna, the Gopis offered their lives to the soil
of this land and merged with their beloved. It is said that they turned
into yellow clay, known as Gopi Chandan. For the last fifty centuries
Krishna bhaktas have been using this clay known as Gopi Chandan (it is
golden color just like Radhika’s splendid limbs), to apply tilaka. The
soil of the Gopi talav is extremely smooth and yellow in color.
Another
pastime is related with Arjuna. After the battle at Kuruksetra, Arjuna
thought himself to be the best warrior of the world. To eliminate the
pride in His devotee friend, Arjuna, Lord Krishna asked him to escort
his queens to Bet Dwarka. On the way, just near this pond, Arjuna was
attacked by people of Kaba community, and Arjuna was defeated. The
queens understanding this left their Body in this pond to go back to
Goloka (Abode of Sri Krishna). So it is called Gopi Talav (pond). The
famous phrase ‘Kabe Arjun luntiyo,vohi dhanush vohi ban’ reflects this
incident.
Gopi
Talav is also the site where Lord Sri Krishna killed the demon
Bhaumasura here, freeing 16,000 princesses from His palace. These gopi
princesses fell in love with Lord Krishna and wanted to marry Him.
Gopi
Talav is 21 km from Dwarka and 5 km from Nageshwar Jyotirlinga temple.
Around the Gopi Talav, there are a number of ancient temples, which one
can have Darshan. In
one of the temple’s one can have the darshan of Lord Rama sila from
Treta-yuga, used for constructing bridge to Lanka, which floats in
water. Local transportation like buses and auto rickshaws are available from Dwarka for visiting this site.
GOPI TALAV
GOPI CHANDAN at GOPI TALAV
5. SRI NAGESHWARA JYOTIRLINGA TEMPLE
Nageshwara Jyotirlinga is one of the 12 Jyotilinga’s. Nageshwara is believed to be the first Jyotilinga on earth. Srimad-Bhagavatam Canto 12, chapter 13, verse 16 describes:
nimna-ganam yatha ganga
devanam acyuto yatha
vaisnavanam yatha sambhuh
purananam idam tatha
Translation:
Just
as the Ganga is the greatest of all rivers, Lord Acyuta the supreme
among deities and Lord Sambhu [Siva] the greatest of Vaisnavas, so
Srimad-Bhagavatam is the greatest of all Puranas.
Lord Siva is the greatest devotee of Supreme Personality of Godhead, Lord Sri Krishna (vaisnavanam yatha sambhuh). Lord Siva is one of the twelve mahajanas as described in Srimad-Bhagavatam Canto 6, chapter 3, verses 20-21.
svayambhur naradah sambhuh
kumarah kapilo manuh
prahlado janako bhismo
balir vaiyasakir vayam
dvadasaite vijanimo
dharmam bhagavatam bhatah
guhyam visuddham durbodham
yam jnatvamrtam asnute
Translation:
Lord
Brahma, Bhagavan Narada, Lord Siva, the four Kumaras, Lord Kapila [the
son of Devahuti], Svayambhuva Manu, Prahlada Maharaja, Janaka Maharaja,
Grandfather Bhisma, Bali Maharaja, Sukadeva Gosvami and I myself know
the real religious principle. My dear servants, this transcendental
religious principle, which is known as bhagavata-dharma, or surrender
unto the Supreme Lord and love for Him, is uncontaminated by the
material modes of nature. It is very confidential and difficult for
ordinary human beings to understand, but if by chance one fortunately
understands it, he is immediately liberated, and thus he returns home,
back to Godhead.
Nageshwara
Temple is 16 kms from Dwarka on the route to Bet Dwarka Island on the
coast of Saurashtra in Gujarat. Nageshwar Mahadev Sivalingam is facing
south while the Gomugam is facing east. There is a pastime related to
this. A saint by name Naamdev was singing bhajans in front of the Lord.
Other devotees asked him to stand aside and not hide the Lord. To this
Naamdev asked them to suggest one direction in which the Lord does not
exist, so that he can stand there. The enraged devotees carried him and
left him on the southside. To their astonishment, they found that the
Linga was now facing South with the Gomugam facing east.
SRI NAGESWARA JYOTIRLINGA TEMPLE
Lord Siva at Sri Nageswara Jyotirlinga Temple
6. GOMATI RIVER GHATA (Sangam Ghat)
Gomati
River is one of the important holy rivers of India. Sri Dwarka Dhama is
located on the bank of Gomati River. Gomati is a tidal river with its
water reaching the nearby Arabian sea. The river forks just before
reaching the sea, producing a small island on which sits a temple of
Laksmi Narayana. The site is ancient, although the present temple is not
very old. The temple of Samudra Narayana sits where the Gomati River
reaches the sea in Dwarka. Samudra Narayana is Krishna's expansion as
Lord Narayana lying on the Garbhodaka Ocean. This old temple is the only
temple of Samudra Narayana anywhere.
By
the mercy of Sri Dwarkadhisa, the waters of Gomati River are crystal
clear, unlike many rivers around the world. When river waters are full,
one can see clearly the river bed and one’s reflection. Since Gomati is a
tidal river, its waters at times recede and other times are full. It is
very auspicious to take bath at Gomati River.
Gomati
Sangam Ghat is the sacred place where Gomati River flows. This ghat can
be reached by climbing down 56 steps from the Swarga Dwar of the
Dwarkadhisa Temple. Gomati River meets the sea at the Chakratirtha Ghat.
The Chakratirtha Ghat is famous for a wheel with white porous type
stones, called as Dwarkashila or Chakrankitha. There are over 12 ghats
surrounding the Gomati River, which are venues of Samudra Narayana
Temple, Gomatiji Temple, the Panchanada and Chakra Narayana. The point
where the Gomati River meets the ocean is known as the Gomati Sangam. On
the river banks of Gomati, there is a holy Gomati Kund, where sage
Durvasa Muni was served by Lord Krishna. At this Gomati Kund, the Gomati
River meets the Arabian Sea and it is considered sacred to take bath
here. Gomati Ghat features many temples small temples shrines of Lord
Krishna and his friend Sudama. These temples can be reached by hiring a
boat that gives a beautiful view of the entire Dwarka town and
spectacular Sri Sri Dwarkadhisa Temple.
Sacred GOMATI RIVER at Sri Dwarka Dhama
Sacred
River Gomati is a tidal river, directly connected to the Arabian sea.
By the mercy of Sri Dwarkadhisa, the waters of River Gomati are so
crystal clear that one can see the river bed when the river is
completely flowing.
Sunset by the Sri Sri Dwarkadhisa Temple from Gomati Ghat
7. PANCHANADA Tirtha or Pandava Wells
After
losing everything, their land, property, kingdom and wife, to the
Kauravas, the Pandavas, come to this spot to do penance. Here they are
admonished for gambling everything away. However, five sages were called
to intercede on their behalf. They sit amongst the sand dunes with each
of the Pandavas and prayed. Through their prayers and yogic powers,
they drew the waters of 5 rivers, in the form of water wells, to where
they are sitting (‘kunds’). The 5 rivers are,
(1) Jambuvanti from Gaya at Bhima Kund;
(2) Gomti from Lucknow at Arjuna Kund;
(3) Ushawati from Goa at Nakul Kund;
(4) Chandrabhagas from Orissa & Maharashtra at Sahadev Kund; and,
(5) Laxmana from Badrinath & Himachal at Yudhisthira Kund.
The
water of each well tastes totally different, one from the other, though
they are surrounded by salty sea water on all sides. The taste of water
from each of the wells represents the mood of each of the Pandava.
Just
besides the Pandavas five wells is the ancient temple of
Lakshmi-Narayana. At the centre of temple’s courtyard is a tree under
which sage Durvasa Muni did his tapasya. At one corner of the temple is a
gufa (cave) where Durvasa Muni did penances in repentance to the curse
which he gave to Sri Rukmini Ji after she drank the water without
offering to him. This cave is closed for public. Temple also a site
where one can have the darshan of the foot prints of five Pandavas and
their mother Kunti Devi. The pujari at the temple can lead to the 5
water wells and offer water from each one. The water is potable and is
sweet, and indeed tastes different for every well!
Pandavas Wells are across Gomati River besides this ancient Temple.
At this Temple one can see the Foot-prints of all five Pandavas and their Kunti Devi.
Inside this ancient Temple, in the courtyard there is a tree were sage Durvasa Muni meditated.
At one corner of the Temple there is a cave where Durvasa Muni did penances for several years after
realizing that he unnecessarily cursed Sri Rukmini Devi.
PANDAVAS WELLS
8. SRI SRI RUKMINI-DWARKADHISA, ISKCON TEMPLE
THEIR LORDSHIPS SRI SRI RUKMINI DWARKADHISA
His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada
Founder-Acarya of International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON)
ISKCON
opened a temple in Dwarka in 1996. Their Lordships Sri Sri Rukmini
Dwarkadhisa are the presiding Deities at the temple. ISKCON temple is
located at the heart of Dwarka town, 5 mins walk from Sri Dwarkadhisa
main temple. The uniqueness about this temple is that when temple altar
is open, one can have the Darshan of the beautiful Lordships (on first
floor) while standing at the main gate downstairs. Every year on 26
January (Republic Day of India) ISKCON holds Lord Jagannatha Rathayatra
with devotees coming from throughout Gujarat and rest of India.
9. SRI SUDAMAPURI, Porbandar
Birthplace and Residence of Sri Sudama Ji,
the Dear-most childhood Friend of Lord Sri Krishna
Sri Sudama Puri
is the birthplace and residence of Sri Sudama Ji, the childhood friend
of Lord Sri Krishna. Sudama Puri is in the town of Porbandar, 104 km (2
hours) from Sri Dwarka Dhama. Porbandar is a coastal harbour city
situated on the western coast of Saurashtra, Gujarat, along the Arabian
Sea. In the 10th century Porbandar was known as "Pauravelakul" and
thereafter renamed as "Sudamapuri".
Located
at the centre of Porbandar, Sudama Ji’s temple is one of the
exceptional temple in India which is dedicated to the great devotee of
Lord Krishna. Initially there was a smaller temple in 12th and 13th
century. Current Sudama Temple was constructed between 1902 to 1907. The
main temple altar has the Deities of Sri Sudama Ji at the centre, Lord
Sri Krishna at the left and Sri Sushila Ji, the wife of Sudama Ji on the
right. Temple gives the ‘Sudama Ji’s tandul (flat rice)’ as the
maha-prasad. This temple is visited by thousands of devotees from around
the world. Every evening at 7pm there is sandhya-arati. Temple is
looked after by a humble pujari. Pujari recalls, often Hare Krishna
devotees from around the world visit the temple. Devotees remember and
recite the pastimes of Sri Sudama Ji and Lord Krishna from the Krishna
book. Every day at around 11am and 5pm maha-prasadam is served at a hall
behind the temple. The temple also has beautiful garden and the ancient
well from which Sudama Ji used to get water. Porbandar is also the
birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi (Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi). Kirti Mandir
in Porbandar is dedicated to him. Sudama Puri temple opening hours: 7am
to 9pm.
Sri Sudama Ji a brahmana was a personal friend of Lord Sri Krishna. Both Sudama Ji and Lord lived and studied at the ashram
of their spiritual master, Sandipani Muni. Sri Sudama Ji was completely
free of material desires. He maintained himself and his wife with
whatever came of its own accord, and thus they were poverty-stricken.
One day Sudama's wife, unable to find any food to prepare for her
husband, went to him and asked that he visit his friend Krishna in
Dwarka and beg some charity. Sudama was reluctant, but in great humility
and submission when she again and again requested, he agreed to
go, reflecting that an opportunity to see the Lord was extremely
auspicious. His wife begged a few handfuls of flattened rice as a gift
for Sri Krishna, and Sudama set off for Dwarka.
As
Sudama approached the palace of Lord Krishna's principal wife,
Rukmiṇi-devi, the Lord saw him from a distance. Krishna immediately
rose from His seat on Rukmiṇī's bed and embraced His friend with great
joy. Then He sat Sudama down on the bed, washed his feet with His own
hands and sprinkled the wash water on His head. After this He presented
him with various gifts and worshiped him with incense, lamps and so on.
Meanwhile, Rukmini fanned the shabbily dressed brahmana with a yaktail
whisk. All of this astonished the residents of the palace. Lord Sri
Krishna then took the hand of His friend, and the two of them reminisced
about the things they had done together long ago, while living in the
school of their spiritual master. Sudama pointed out that Krishna
engages in the pastime of acquiring an education only to set an example
for human society.
In
the course of His loving talks with His friend Sudama, Lord Krishna
said, "My dear brahmana, have you brought any gift for Me from home? I
regard as very significant even the smallest offering from My loving
devotee." But the poor brahmana was ashamed to present Krishna with his
meager gift of flat rice. However, since Lord Krishna is the Supersoul
dwelling in all hearts, He knew why Sudama had come to visit Him. So He
grabbed the bundle of flat rice Sudama was hiding under his arms and ate
a handful of it with great pleasure. Lord ate a morsel of the flat rice
brought by His friend Sudama and bestowed upon him wealth greater than
that of the King of heaven. He was about to eat a second morsel when
Rukmini devi stopped Him.
Feeling
as if he had gone back to Godhead, Sudama spent that night comfortably
in Lord Krishna's palace, and the next morning he set off for home. As
he passed along the highway, he thought of how fortunate he was to have
been so honored by Sri Krishna. Absorbed in this meditation, Sudama
arrived at the place where his home used to be - and he was struck with
great wonder. Instead of his broken-down hovel, he saw a series of
opulent palaces. While he stood astonished, a group of beautiful men and
women came forward to greet him with singing and music. The brahmaṇa's
wife, wonderfully adorned with celestial jewellery, came out of the
palace and welcomed him with great love and reverence. Sudama entered
his home together with her, thinking that this extraordinary
transformation must have been due to the Supreme Lord's mercy on him.
From then on Sudama lived his life amidst lavish wealth, yet he
maintained his mood of detachment and constantly chanted the glories of
Lord Krishna In a short time he broke off all bonds of bodily attachment
and attained to the kingdom of God.
SUDAMAPURI ENTRANCE
SUDAMAPURI TEMPLE - Birthplace and Residence of Sri Sudama Ji
Sri Sudami Ji (centre), Lord Sri Krishna (left), Sri Sushila Ji wife of Sudama Ji (right)
Sudama Ji’s - TANDUL - Maha prasad
10. MUL DWARKA - Visavada
While
going from Mathura to Dwarka Lord Krishna and Balarama had stopped in
Porbandar at village Visavada. In its remembrance in Visavada (Mul
Dwarka) Lord Krishna’s “paduka” can be seen in this temple. Approx 750
years ago a devotee called Vijant Bhagat had constructed these temples.
Scripts says this temple was constructed in Vikram Samvat 1262 can be
seen in Visavada’s this temple. In Mul Dwarka every year on Janmashtmi
day a huge fair is organized. Mul Dwarka is at the distance of about 52
km (1 hour) from Sri Dwarka Dhama on the way towards Sudama Puri at
Porbandar and Somnath.
MUL DWARKA entrance
LORD SRI KRISHNA DEITY at Mul Dwarka (Visavada)
11. JAMBAVAN CAVE, Ranavav
Jambavan
cave is located at village named Ranavav, 17 km from Porbandar, off
Rajkot-Porbandar highway. Inside the cave there is the spot where Lord
Sri Krishna and Jambavan fought over the Syamantaka jewel for 28 days
continuously day and night, non-stop. On 28th day Jambavan realized that
he is fighting with Supreme Lord Sri Krishna who is non-different from
his beloved Lord Ramacandra. There is the exact spot where Jambavan gave
Syamantaka jewel and gifted his daughter Jambavati for marriage to Lord
Krishna. Inside the cave there are 2 tunnels. One tunnel leads to
Junagarh which is 2 hours away, and other leads to Dwarka Dhama. Every
year a big fair takes place at this place. Cave is just behind Haiti
cement factory and well connected by road.
Jambavan
also known as Jambavantha, was the King of the Bears, immortal to all
but his father Vishnu. He helped Lord Rama find his wife Sita and fight
her abductor, Ravana. It is he who made Hanuman realize his immense
capabilities and encouraged him to leap across the ocean to search for
Sita in Lanka. He was the King of the Himalayas who had incarnated
as a bear in order to serve Lord Rama. He had received a boon from Lord
Rama that he would have a long life, be handsome and would have the
strength of ten million lions.
JAMBAVAN CAVES -
Place
where Jambavan lived. Both Jambavan and Lord Sri Krishna fought here
for 28 days for Shyamataka jewel, when Jambavan finally realized that
the person he is fighting with is the Lord of his heart, Lord Krishna
who is non-different from Lord Rama. Lord Krishna then out of His
causeless mercy to His dear-devotee showed His form of Lord Rama.
Jambavan handing over Shyamataka jewel and his daughter to Lord Sri Krishna
12. MADHAVAPUR GHED
Where Lord Sri Krishna married Sri Rukmini Ji after kidnapping her
Madhavpur Ghed
is a small village where Lord Sri Krishna married Sri Rukmini Ji after
kidnapping her from Amravati in Vidarbha. This is a very beautiful
village is close to Porbandar (60 km) and lies on the seashore. There is
a exact spot where Lord Krishna married Rukmini Ji. When Lord Krishna
was bringing Rukmini Ji to Dwarka after kidnapping, Rukmini Ji requested
Krishna that she would like to have her marriage ceremony where no
marriage ever had taken place previously. Upon the request of Rukmini
Ji, Supreme Personality of Godhead Lord Sri Krishna withdrew the sea by 7
km on each side and the land manifested with the sea been withdrawn.
This pastime took place at Madhavpur Ghed and Lord Sri Krishna married
Rukmini Ji here. Close by the temple where marriage ceremony took place,
there is another temple where Lord Krishna and Rukmini Ji spent some
time together before marrying.
Madhavpur
Ghed is also the place where Lord Sri Krishna killed Madhu demon and
thus got the name Madhusudana. The spot where this demon was killed is
just next to the temple where marriage ceremony took place. This spot is
marked by a pond.
There is another famous ancient temple of Sri Sri Madhavrai Ji built in memory of Lord Krishna’s pastime of marriage to Rukmini Ji. Temple has most exquisite Deities of Lord Madhavrai and His brother Lord Trikamrai (Balarama)
and is situated in the middle of this village. Every year starting from
Rama Navami day a celebration of this pastime is held for five days at
Madhavpur Ghed in a cultural fair - Sri Thakorji’s Vivaha Utsav with
performance of Vivah Viddhi and Rathayatra. Madhavpur Ghed is 3 hours
from Dwarka Dhama on the way to Porbandar and Somnath. It is easily
accessible by transport.
Lord Sri Krishna and Sri Rukmini Ji got married at this exact spot at Madhavpur Ghed
SRI SRI RUKMINI-DWARKADHISA
This is the Temple where Lord Krishna and Rukmini Ji spent time together before marriage
LORD MADHAVRAI JI and His Brother LORD TRIKAMRAI (Balarama) at Sri Sri Madhavrai Ji Temple
13. SRI BHALKA TIRTH, Veraval
This
is the place where Supreme Personality of Godhead Lord Sri Krishna
performed His last pastime before ascending to His eternal abode Sri
Goloka Vrindavana. The temple has a very beautiful Deity of Lord Sri
Krishna in reclining position under the pippal tree. Sri Bhalka Tirth is
6 km to famous place Somnath. Nearby is place called Baladeva Gufa (cave) from where Lord Balarama disappeared from this cave.
LORD SRI KRISHNA at SRI BHALKA TIRTH
14. SOMANATH Jyotirlinga Temple
Somnath
lies on the west coast of India, in the state of Gujarat. The area was
formerly called Prabhasa, and it was here that Lord Krishna arranged for
the members of His dynasty to leave this world, on the pretext of
killing one another in a great battle. The main temple at Somnath is
that of Lord Siva as Somesvara, "the lord of Soma, the moon-god". Dwarka
to Somnath is 7 hours drive. Somnath temple is indeed an architectural
marvel! To see Somesvara, one passes through two impressive pillared
halls. Outside, from the back of the temple one can have a beautiful
view of the ocean and the beach.
Srimad-Bhagavatam
mentions that Lord Balarama came here twice, once when He went on
pilgrimage to avoid taking sides in the Battle of Kurukshetra, and
again, on the request of sages, after He killed the disrespectful
Romaharsana Suta. At Prabhasa Arjuna heard that Lord Balarama was
arranging the marriage of Subhadra to Duryodhana. Disguising himself as a
mendicant, Arjuna went to Dwarka and eventually won Subhadra’s hand.
Origin of the Temple Deity: The
story of Candra's installation of Somesvara is found in the Skanda
Purana and the Mahabharata. Although Candra, the moon-god, was married
to all 27 daughters of the progenitor Daksa, he was partial to Rohini,
keeping her always with him and neglecting the others.
Annoyed,
the other 26 wives complained to their father. After repeated warnings,
Daksa cursed Candra to suffer from tuberculosis, lose his beauty and
radiance, and wane into nothingness. Candra's affliction disturbed the
tides and the growth of vegetation. Sages asked Daksa to withdraw his
curse, but he said he didn't have the power to do so. He advised Candra
to take refuge in Lord Siva. Candra came to Prabhasa with his wife
Rohini, found the Jyotir-linga here, and worshiped Lord Siva in that
form. Pleased, Lord Siva blessed Candra with fortnightly phases of
waning and waxing. Because the moon regained his growth and light here,
the place became known as Prabhasa ("to shine").
SOMNATH Temple
Somesvara - Somnath Jyotirlinga
15. JALARAM Temple, Virpur
Jalaram
was a well renowned saint and devotee of Lord Rama. He appeared in 1799
at Virpur. From the early childhood he was deeply spiritually inclined.
Virpur is between Dwarka and Junagarh.
16. MIRA BAI Temple, Dwarka
Mira Bai was a well renowned and staunch devotee of Lord Sri Krishna. Srila Prabhupada has written in his purport to Srimad-Bhagavatam 2.3.15:
“The celebrated Mira Bai was a staunch devotee of Lord Krishna as the great lifter of Govardhana Hill.”
(mere to Giridhar Gopal...). Mira Bai's devotion was exceptional and
exemplary. Her devotional bhajans are famous amongst Vaishnavas. Mira
Bai’s temple is in main bazaar at Dwarka.
17. NARSINH MEHTA Temple, Mangrol
Narsinh
Mehta was a great and dear-most devotee of Lord Sri Krishna. In his
early life he lost his parents and stayed at his elder brother’s place.
However, his sister-in-law did not welcome him very well She was
an ill-tempered, always taunting and insulting Narsinh for his worship
(Bhakti). One day, when Narsinh Mehta had enough of these taunts and
insults, he left the house and went to a nearby forest in search of some
peace, where he fasted and meditated for 7 days by a secluded
Siva-linga until Lord Siva appeared before him in a dream. Lord Siva
told him that ‘his Bhakti delights him’ and asked him a boon. Narsinh
asked him, ‘give me something which is agreeable to you that you like
the most and easy to attain: have pity on me.’ Lord Siva said that he
likes Krishna-Bhakti the most and granted him a boon the joy of singing Lord Krishna’s praise forever.
Here’s a most inspiring story of Narsinh Mehta (ref: Gopal Jiu Magazine Issue#286):
We often tell the recent story of Narsinh Mehta. He was a dear devotee of Krishna, krishna-premi-bhakta,
always thinking of Krishna. He never thought of anything else. Narsinh
Mehta was a very poor Brahmin. He had a family, wife and children - so
many daughters. Having no wealth, he was going out and begging alms. He
led a poor life, just barely maintaining himself and his family.
A Krishna-premi-bhakta like Narsinh Mehta always thinks of Krishna. He reads Bhagavad-Gita and Srimad-Bhagavatam. He does sravanam-kirtanam; he hears krishna-katha;
he speaks and preaches. He is very, very attached to Krishna. He has no
other business. He never thinks about how to maintain his family
because he only thinks of Krishna. This is ananyas cintayanto mam — “always concentrating on me”. He has full faith in Krishna’s words: yoga-ksemam vahamy aham -
“I protect and preserve such devotees.” His daughter attained
marriageable age, but he wasn’t thinking about how to get her married.
This is the responsibility of the father, but Narsinh Mehta was only
thinking of Krishna.
His
wife heard the neighbours criticizing, saying, “His daughter has
already attained marriageable age, but he is not getting her married. He
is keeping a grown-up daughter.” People were speaking in this way. But
Narsinh Mehta never heard it because he was always thinking of Krishna.
He was only hearing Krishna-katha, so none of those things entered his ears. If your mind is always engaged in hearing krishna-katha and
thinking of Krishna then none of these material sounds will come to
you. But his wife heard them, and then his wife said to him, “Hey! What
are you doing? Aren’t you thinking about getting your daughter married?
This is your responsibility!” Narsinh Mehta said: “Why are you creating a
disturbance and bothering me in my bhajan? Krishna has said in Bhagavad-Gita 9.22:
ananyas cintayanto mam ye janah paryupasate
tesam nityabhiyuktanam yoga-ksemam vahamy aham
“Those
who always worship me with exclusive devotion, meditating on my
transcendental form, to them I carry what they lack and preserve what
they have.”
Have
you no faith in Krishna’s words? Krishna says, ‘I take up the
responsibility to maintain my devotee’s family and to provide him
whatever he lacks.’ We now have this need, how the marriage will be
done. Marriage means that a huge amount of money is required. Krishna
has said that he will carry the burden. It is Krishna’s family. I am
completely surrendered. I’ve given everything to Krishna. So why are you
disturbing me?”
But
his wife had no faith. “Oh? Krishna will bring money to your home and
make an arrangement for your daughter’s marriage? No! You have to go out
and search for a proper bridegroom. Krishna may help you, but if you
don’t do anything, if you just sit here in the house reading the Gita and Bhagavatam, doing bhajan, what will Krishna do?” In this way his wife created disturbances in his bhajan such
that he felt so much pain. “Oh, this silly woman is creating so many
disturbances. I cannot do my bhajan. I can’t sit here. I cannot do bhajan.”
Then
he began to cry before Krishna, “O Gopinath! There is a problem now in
your family. Our daughter has already attained marriageable age. She
should be married. Why are you not making some arrangement?” Srila
Bhaktivinoda Thakura has sung:
bhala-manda nahi jani seva matra kari | tomara samsare ami visaya-prahari
“I don’t know whether I am doing good or bad. I am just serving you, O Krishna. It is your family.” [Sarangati 2.5.5]
niscinta ha-iya ämi seviba tomay | grhe bhalo-manda ho’le nahi mora day
“I’m
only thinking of your service. I have no other thought. O Krishna, this
is your home, your family. If anything is wrong with it, then You will
be criticized. Why shall I be criticized?” [Sarangati 3.2.7]
A
devotee never says “my family”. It is Krishna’s family. Then it is
Krishna’s responsibility to maintain it. So Narsinh Mehta cried and
offered prayers. When the bhakta cries, Krishna responds. You have to
cry. Those who have cried, they have gotten Krishna. Dhruva cried, he
got. Bilvamangala cried, he got. Unless you cry, Krishna will never hear
you. If you cry, immediate response is there. Narsinh Mehta cried, and
the Lord immediately responded.
The
next day, some gentlemen came who were searching for a bride. They came
to Narsinh Mehta’s house and saw the daughter. “Yes, we appreciate this
girl. We would like to take her for marriage to our son.” After some
negotiation, the marriage was fixed. Krishna can do and undo things in a
moment. “When will the marriage take place?” They checked the calendar
to find a viväha-tithi, a day for the marriage to take place. They saw
that in this year there was only one proper time, and it would come
after just four days. Otherwise it will have to wait for another year.
So that day was fixed. “Yes, after four days the marriage will take
place.” Narsinh Mehta was very happy. He said to his wife, “You see how
Krishna took care?” Then his wife said, “Alright, the marriage will take
place after four days. So how will it be done? A huge amount of money
is required, lakhs of rupees. You have no money. You are a poor man,
without a single coin. How can you perform the marriage?”
“Krishna will take care.”; “Oh, Krishna will take care?”; “Yes, Krishna has said in the Gita, yoga-ksemam vahamy aham - ‘I will provide for my devotee.” He had unflinching faith in Krishna, but his wife had little or no faith, soft faith, komala-sraddha.
So she again created disturbances in his bhajan. He could not sit and
peacefully worship the Lord. She said, “You should go out and borrow
some money. Otherwise how can you perform this ceremony in four days
from now? Lakhs of rupees are needed! You will have to give saris and
ornaments to your daughter. You will have to arrange a big feast; feed
all your friends, relatives and neighbours. The bridegroom will come
with a big procession, and you have to pay for it. He’ll demand some
dowry. You have to give it.” This is social prestige, social custom.
“Krishna will carry. I am a poor man. Who will give me money? If I go
and approach a wealthy man, ‘Please give me some money. I want to take a
loan,’ he’ll never give money because I have no wealth to pay it back.
What shall I do?” The wife said, “Here! Take some of my ornaments.” In
villages in India the women’s bangles, earrings, silver and gold
ornaments are their bank. At the time of need they will sell them or put
them somewhere as collateral, get money, and perform these ceremonies.
So she gave them. “Alright, take these. Put them somewhere with some
wealthy man and get some money.” So he took them and went out.
Narsinh Mehta was a premi-bhakta, very fond of Srimad-Bhagavatam and Krishna-katha.
When he went out in search of someone to lend him money, he entered a
village where he saw that a Bhagavata recitation was going on for seven
continuous days. Being very attached to hearing the Bhagavatam, he sat
there for 7 days. He forgot that he had come to get money to perform his
daughter’s marriage, which would take place after four days. When the 7
days finished, he asked someone, “Oh bhai, what day is today? Alas!
Everything must have finished, 7 days have gone by. The marriage of my
daughter was after four days. I came to get some money. My wife gave me
these ornaments. What has happened to the marriage ceremony? Everything
must have been spoiled! There will be so much criticism! How can I go
back? How can I show my face there? If I go there my wife will beat me
with a broomstick! Oh Krishna, why did you keep me here, making me
completely forget? What is your lila, I cannot understand! This is your family. You will be criticized.”
He
thought, “What shall I do? I’ll tell a lie to my wife. ‘I went to a
very far off place. I went to many villages and met many wealthy
persons. No one was prepared to take these ornaments and give me money. I
went to such a far off place, so returning took time.” He was thinking
like that. As he was coming he was chanting and thinking of Krishna.
“Alright Krishna, such a wonderful lila you are doing. Why you
made me forget, I don’t know. You know everything.” As he came nearer to
his village he heard people talking about the marriage. “Such a
marriage! Narsinh Mehta’s daughter’s marriage was like a king’s. We have
never seen such a marriage! We have heard that great kings do like
that, but for the first time we saw such pomp and ceremony. Such a grand
feast we had never eaten before, such palatable dishes, and such a
grand procession like a royal procession. And he gave so much dowry, so
many ornaments. Where did he get the money? This was like a king’s royal
marriage.”
Hearing
these talks, Narsinh Mehta asked, “Whose marriage?”; “Your daughter’s
marriage.”; “My daughter’s marriage is already done?” “Oh yes. With such
pomp and ceremony, like a king’s royal marriage. We have never seen!”;
“Oh Krishna! You are so merciful! Yogaksemam vahamy aham - You
have said, ‘I will provide for my devotee.” Then he came to his house
and saw that his wife was very happy. He asked, “The marriage was done
nicely?”; “Yes, very nicely!”; “How was it performed? Who brought money?
You were in anxiety, always creating disturbance in my bhajan. You had
no faith in Krishna’s words, yoga-ksemam vahamy aham. Who brought
money? How was it done?”; “A ten or eleven-year-old black boy came. He
was carrying a heavy load. He brought so much ghee, oil, subji, rice,
dal, flour, sugar, and molasses. He brought so many saris, clothes,
ornaments, and money. We had no place to put everything in our small mud
hut. I asked him, ‘Hey, where are you bringing these from?’; “He said,
‘Oh, gosai is sending.’ You are sending, he said. You are sending. He
was carrying such a heavy load.”; “Krishna has said, ‘I will carry - yoga-ksemam vahamy aham.’ You have no faith in the words of Krishna?”
This is a true story. A
pure devotee of Krishna is completely, exclusively, dependent on the
mercy of Krishna. Every moment he only thinks of Krishna, with no other
thought. He is completely surrendered, and has dedicated everything to
the Lord. His attitude is that it is Krishna’s family. The only means
for a householder devotee is complete surrender. Enter Krishna’s family –
Krishna-samsara. Don’t stay in maya-samsara. Krishna is the only the
object of love. Develop love and attachment to Krishna. Give up
material, temporary bodily attachments. They are all troublesome like
thorns and pointed pebbles. Krishna is the only object of loving
attachment. Dedicate your family and everything to Krishna. It is
Krishna’s family. Only think of Krishna and Krishna will make all
arrangements. If you develop your love for Krishna then everything will
be very good. If the husband and wife relationship is based on loving
relationship with Krishna, then it is a real relationship. Don’t develop
bodily, material relationships. They are only temporary, troublesome,
and based on misery. Develop your eternal loving relationship with
Krishna, wherein the husband is Krishna-dasa and the wife is
Krishna-dasi. (-- His Holiness Gour Govinda Swami lecture on 13 March 1995 at Gadei-giri, Orissa; Sri Krishna Kathamrita Bindu issue#286 )
18. TULSISHYAM Mandir, Tulsishyam
Tulsishyam
Mandir is dedicated to Lord Krishna and is several hundred years old.
Tulsishyam is a very famous and so beautiful religious place. There are
two temples on this place. One is Lord Sri Krishna's temple in the foot
of a mountain and another one is Sri Rukmini Ji's temple on the top of
the mountain. It is located in the heart of Gir National Park, in
Junagadh District of Gujarat. It is also famous for medicinal Hot spring
of water across the globe. The temple has more than 200 cows in the
Goshala.
PLACES AROUND GUJARAT
(1) Dakor Ji
DAKOR or RANCHOR JI
is famous throughout, for a Deity of Lord Sri Krishna named Ranchor
Raya. Here Lord Sri Krishna is worshiped for an act that would taint the
reputation of others but serves only to increase His fame and His
devotees' love for Him. Ranchor (rana-cora) means "one who flees from
battle" or, more simply, "deserter," and raya (from raja) designates a
king or a respected person. Krishna gained fame as Ranchor Raya when He
fled a battle, apparently out of fear. Actually, He wanted to prevent
needless killing and attend to His pastime of kidnapping Rukmini, His
first wife. Krishna's fleeing the battle is especially glorified by
devotees in Gujarat because it marked Krishna's taking up residence in
Dwarka, in Gujarat. Ranchor Raya was installed in Dakor during the
auspicious month of Kartik (in October/November). Ranchor Raya receives
seven offerings of food daily, and the cooking goes on nonstop. The
evening offering is called Chapan-bhog, which means "fifty-six items
offered for the Lord's pleasure."
Dakor Pastimes
In
the times of the Mahabharata, the Dakor area was a pleasant jungle rich
with streams and lakes. Danka rsi was one of several sages residing in
ashrams there, and after pleasing Lord Siva he requested him to remain
in his hermitage. Lord Siva agreed and appeared there in his linga form,
known as Dankanath Mahadev. Thus in ancient times Dakor was known as
Dankapura. When Lord Krishna and Bhima went to the hermitage of Danka
rsi, Krishna asked the sage to request a benediction from Him. Danka rsi
requested that Krishna, like Lord Siva, stay in his hermitage
permanently. Krishna promised that after staying in Dwarka for some
time, in Kali-yuga He would come to live in Dankapura.
Danka
rsi's desire was eventually fulfilled by Bodana, a great devotee of
Krishna, in the 1200s. The present Dakor owes its reason not to Dank
Rishi but to Bodana, a great devotee of Lord Krishna. In his previous
birth, he is supposed to have lived in Gokul and been a cowherd called
Vijayanand. On one Holi day, all the cowherds except Vijyanand
worshipped Lord Krishna. His wife too worshipped Lord Krishna. But
Vijayanand was proud and stayed at home. Lord Krishna came to his house
in disguise of his friend and sent him to perform 'Holi' puja. Coming
back, he realised that his friend was none else but Lord Krishna. Next
day they fought a battle of colour. Lord Krishna lost and fell into the
river. Vijyanand went after Him where Lord Krishna revealed his true
self. Vijyanand begged forgiveness. Lord Krishna took pity on him and
solaced him with a boon that he would be born again in Kali yuga after
4200 years as Vijayanand Bodana in the house of a Krishatriya and his
present wife Sudha would again be his wife, called Gangabai, when Lord
will give them a darshan and liberate him.
Vijayanand
Bodana, a rajput of Dakor, was a staunch devotee of Lord Krishna. He
grew tulasi and travelled to Dwarka every six months to worship Krishna
with tulasi leaves. He did this continuously, unfailingly and untiringly
till he was 72 years and found it increasingly difficult to continue.
Seeing his plight, Lord Krishna appeared in his dream and told him that
on his next visit to Dwarka, he should bring a bullock-cart with him and
then He (as the deity) would accompany him to Dakor as He was
exceedingly pleased with his devotion. Accordingly, Bodana went with
bullock-cart to Dwarka. The priests of Dwarka asked him as to why he had
brought a cart with him. Bodana replied that he had done so to take
Lord Krishna away. Looking to the ramshackle cart, they did not believe
him but nevertheless locked and sealed the sanctum sanctorum of Dwarka
Temple for the night. At mid night, Lord Krishna broke open the doors,
awoke Bodana and told him to take him to Dakor. Shortly afterwards, Lord
Krishna called upon Bodana to rest in the bullock-cart and drove the
cart himself till reached the vicinity of Dakor. Here (near Bileshwar
Mahadev on Dakor-Nadiad road) they rested for some time, touching and
holding a branch of neem tree. He woke up Bodana and asked him to take
over. Since that day, this neem tree is found to have one sweet branch
though the rest of the branches are bitter.
In
Dwarka, the brahmanas finding the Deity missing, chased Bodana and
rushed to Dakor in pursuit. Bodana was frightened but Lord Krishna told
Bodana to Him in the Gomti tank and meet the priests. Accordingly,
Bodana hid the Deity and went to meet the priests with a pot of curd to
pacify them. They became angry and one of them threw a spear at him.
Bodana fell down dead. Bodana achieved liberation. While hurting Bodana
with a spear it also hurt the Deity hidden in Gomti tank and the water
turned red with Lord Krishna's (Ranchhodraiji's) blood. Even today the
earth of Gomti tank where the Deity lay is red while rest of the tank is
of brown mud. In the midst of Gomti tank, over the place where Lord
Krishna was hidden, a small temple having the Lord's foot-prints is
constructed and this temple is linked with the bank of Gomti Tank by a
bridge.
Even
with the death of Bodana, the priests were not appeased. Requesting
Lord Krishna to return to Dwarka, they sat on the bank of Gomti tank and
went on a hunger strike. At last, Lord Ranchhodraiji (Krishna) directed
Gangabai, wife of Bodana, to give gold equivalent of his weight and ask
the priests to return to Dwarka. The poor lady, the widow of Bodana
could not afford to do so. But by a miracle, the Deity became as light
as her gold nose-ring (five grams), which was all the gold she had. The
brahmanas were disappointed, but the Lord mercifully told them that
after six months they would find an exact replica of His deity in a well
in Dwarka, which they found after six months.
Getting to Dakor
Dakor
is a short bus ride from Baroda or Ahmedabad, cities well linked by
plane, train, and bus with other major Indian cities. One can go to
Baroda, Ahmedabad, Anand, or Vallabh Vidyanagar in all these places
there are ISKCON centers and get buses to Dakor. By bus it takes one and
a half hours to go to Dakor from Ahmedabad or Baroda, and less from
Anand or Vallabh Vidyanagar.
(2) Govinda Dhama, ISKCON Ahmedabad
(3) Sri Sri Radha-Shyamsundar Temple, ISKCON Baroda (Vadodara)
(4) Sri Sri Radha-NeelMadhava Dhama, ISKCON Rajkot
(5) Sri Sri Radha-Giridhariji Temple, ISKCON Vallabh Vidyanagar, Anand
Practicalities:
How to reach Sri Dwarka Dhama:
Sri
Dwarka Dhama is well connected to Mumbai and Ahmedabad by road and
rail. There are direct trains from Mumbai. From Ahmedabad one can catch
overnight bus to Dwarka. Patel Travels (http://pateltoursandtravels.com/
) is a good bus service to Dwarka. Nearest airport to Dwarka is
Porbandar, two hours to Dwarka. Jamnagar airport is 3 hours to Dwarka.
There is daily flight from Mumbai to Porbandar.
Visiting places around Sri Dwarka Dhama:
It is easy to move in and around Dwarka Dhama to visit different transcendental places of Lord Sri Krishna.
Dwarka town: Following
places in Dwarka town are close by and at walking distance - Sri Sri
Dwarkadhisa Temple, Gomati River, ISKCON Temple, Pandava wells (by boat)
and Mira Bai Temple. Local transport like auto-rickshaw is available to
move around.
Sri Rukmini Ji Temple, Gopi Talav, Bet Dwarka and Nageshwara Jyotirlinga: Local
tourist bus trips operate to visit these places. Tourist buses cover
these places in half a day and usually there are a varied number of
people in a group. Tickets can booked be booked easily. Since tourist
buses have a group of people and cover the places quickly, there is
limited time to take darshan or spend more time on each of the spots.
Private taxi can also be hired to visit these places.
Mul Dwarka; Sudama-Puri, Porbandar; Jambavan Caves, Ranavav; Madhavpur Ghed, Bhalka Tirth and Somnath: These
places come one after another in the same route on the way to Somnath -
Mul Dwarka (52km); Sudama-Puri, Porbandar (104km); Jambavan Caves,
Ranavav (17 km from Porbandar on Rajkot highway); Madhavpur Ghed (1 hr
from Porbandar), Bhalka Tirth and Somnath. Tourist buses cover only
Sudama-Puri, Bhalka Tirth and Somnath. Private taxi can be hired to
visit these places. Jalaram temple and TulsiShyam temple are on
different routes. TulsiShyam is closer to Somnath. Regular trains and
buses are available from Somnath to reach Ahmedabad.
Devotees
wishing to visit Sri Dwarka Dhama may contact Krishna Swarup Das,
devotee from ISKCON Ahmedabad, phone: +91 9099757026 / Email: Krishnaswrup_gkg@yahoo.in for further guidance about visiting the Dhama.
Where to Eat and Stay: Dwarkadhisa
Temple prasadam is available for lunch and evening. Timings are 11:30am
to 2pm and 5:30pm to 7pm daily. The dining place is about 100 meters
ahead where the ISKCON Temple is towards the Gomati river. There are a
number of comfortable hotels in Dwarka.
KRISHNA FEST by ISKCON (International Society for Krishna Consciousness) at Sri Dwarka Dhama
Dwarka Dhama Darshan documentary (Gujarati): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZ8DxUK7yGg
Dwarka darshan: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8S9xtLDnPqE
7 Wonders of India: Dwarkadhisa Temple: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gw4ydYkgzw
Mangla Aarti of Sri Sri Dwarkadhisa: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c7VAMV4RKzw
Padayatra: http://www.padayatra.com/history.php and http://www.padayatra.com/2011/Iskcon_Rathyatra_Agman_at_Dwarka.php
Narsinh Mehta pastime: http://www.gopaljiu.org/index.php?option=com_phocadownload&view=category&download=294:bindu-286&id=12:bindu-issues-271-300
Story of Bhagavat Premi Narsinh Mehta (video): http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Bc0MryHP_lM
Krishna book: http://www.e-vedas.com/books/k-book.htm (downloadable)
Dwarka promo video by Amitabh Bachan (Hindi): http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=FW5pifKPU_E
MAYAPUR TV: http://Mayapur.tv / Vrindavana TV: http://www.iskconvrindavan.com/live/
SRI SRI DWARKADHISA JI KI!!
SRI DWARKA DHAMA KI JAI!!!
NITAI GAURA PREMA-ANANDI!!!
HARE KRISHNA HARE KRISHNA KRISHNA KRISHNA HARE HARE |
HARE RAMA HARE RAMA RAMA RAMA HARE HARE ||
