View source for Dwarka

{{short description|Town in Gujarat, India}}
{{About|a town in Gujarat|the ancient city in Indian epic literature|Dvārakā|other uses|Dwarka (disambiguation)}}
{{pp-semi-indef|small=yes}}
{{More citations needed|date=January 2023}}
{{Use Indian English|date=February 2025}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2025}}
<!-- See [[Wikipedia:WikiProject Indian cities]] for details -->
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Dwarka
| other_name         = 
| settlement_type    = Town
| image_skyline      = {{multiple image
| border      = infobox
| total_width = 280
| image_style =
| perrow      = 1/2/1 
| caption_align = center
| image1      = Dwarakadheesh Temple, 2014.jpg{{!}} Dwarkadhish temple
| image2      = Nageshwar.JPG {{!}} Nageshwar Jyotirlinga 
| image3      = Sudama Setu during Dwaraka DWARASPDB 2015 (9).jpg {{!}} Sudama Setu
| image4      = Dwarkadhish Temple 20.jpg {{!}} Gomti River
}}
| pushpin_map        = India Gujarat
| pushpin_label_position = right
| pushpin_map_alt    = 
| pushpin_map_caption = 
| coordinates        = {{coord|22|14|47|N|68|58|00|E|display=inline,title}}
| subdivision_type   = Country
| subdivision_name   = {{flag|India}}
| subdivision_type1  = [[States and territories of India|State]]
| subdivision_name1  = {{flagicon image|Flag of Gujarat.svg}} [[Gujarat]]
| subdivision_type2  = [[List of regions of India|Region]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[Saurashtra (region)|Saurashtra]]
| established_title  = <!-- Established -->
| established_date   = 
| founder            = [[Krishna]]
| named_for          = 
| government_type    = Municipality
| governing_body     = Dwarka Nagarpalika
| unit_pref          = Metric
| area_footnotes     = 
| area_total_km2     = 
| area_rank          = 
| elevation_footnotes = 
| elevation_m        = 0
| population_footnotes = 
| population_total   = 38,873
| population_as_of   = 2011
| population_rank    = 
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_demonym = 
| demographics_type1 = Languages
| demographics1_title1 = Official
| demographics1_info1 = [[Gujarati language|Gujarati]]
| timezone1          = [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| utc_offset1        = +5:30
| postal_code_type   = [[Postal Index Number|PIN]]
| postal_code        = 361335
| registration_plate = GJ-37
| website            = https://devbhumidwarka.nic.in/
| official_name      = 
| subdivision_type3  = [[List of districts of India|District]]
| subdivision_name3  = [[Devbhumi Dwarka district|Devbhumi Dwarka]]
| image_caption      = '''Clockwise from top''': [[Dwarkadhish Temple]], [[Sudama Setu]], Gomti Ghat, [[Nageshvara Jyotirlinga]]
}}
{{location map+|India|float=right|width=270|caption=[[Char Dham]]|places=
{{location map~|India|label=[[Badrinath]]|position=left|lat=30.73|long=79.48}}
{{location map~|India|label=Dwarka|position=right|lat=22.23|long=68.97}}
{{location map~|India|label=[[Jagannath Puri]]|position=left|lat=19.81|long=85.83}}
{{location map~|India|label=[[Rameswaram]]|position=left|lat=9.28|long=79.3}}
}}

'''Dwarka''' ({{pronunciation|Dwarka.ogg}}) is a [[Coast|coastal]] town and municipality of [[Devbhumi Dwarka district]] in the [[States and union territories of India|Indian state]] of [[Gujarat]]. It is located on the western shore of the Okhamandal Peninsula on the right bank of the Gomti river at the mouth of the [[Gulf of Kutch]] facing the [[Arabian Sea]].

Dwarka has the [[Dwarkadhish Temple]] dedicated to Krishna, which is one of four sacred [[Hindu]] pilgrimage sites called the [[Chardham]] founded by [[Adi Shankara]]charya at the four corners of the country. The Dwarkadhish Temple was established as a monastic center and forms part of the Dwarka temple complex.{{sfn|Brockman|2011|p=94}}{{sfn|Desai|2007|p=285}} Dwarka is also one of the seven most ancient religious cities ([[Sapta Puri]]) in India.

Dwarka is part of the "Krishna pilgrimage circuit" which includes [[Vrindavan]], [[Mathura]], [[Barsana]], [[Gokul]], [[Govardhan]], [[Kurukshetra]], [[Veraval]] and [[Puri]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Development of Ramayana and Krishna Circuits |url=https://pib.gov.in/pib.gov.in/Pressreleaseshare.aspx?PRID=1513307 |access-date=8 October 2022 |website=pib.gov.in}}</ref> It is one of 12 heritage cities across the country selected under the [[HRIDAY - Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana|Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana]] (HRIDAY) scheme of the Government of India to develop civic infrastructure.<ref>{{Cite web |date=22 April 2015 |title=Government to develop 12 heritage cities; blueprint by 2017 |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/money/report-government-to-develop-12-heritage-cities-blueprint-by-2017-2079461 |access-date=30 April 2015 |work=Daily News and Analysis}}</ref>

The town has a hot, arid climate with a 16-day rainy season. It had a population of 38,873 in 2011. The main festival of [[Janmashtami]] is celebrated in [[Bhadrapada]] (August–September).

==History==

===Puranic traditions===
{{Main|Dvārakā}}

[[File:Dwarkadish-temple-gujarat.jpg|thumb|[[Dwarkadhish Temple|Dwarika Jagat Mandir]] (or Dwarkadhish Temple), view from entrance of the town.]]
[[File:Dwarka.jpg|right|thumb|A painting depicting [[Krishna]]'s Dwarka, made during [[Akbar]]'s reign, from the [[Smithsonian Institution]].]]
Dwarka is considered as the first capital of Gujarat.{{sfn|Desai|2007|p=285}} The name literally means gateway.{{Sfn|Sridharan|2000|p=7}} Dwarka has also been referred to throughout its history as "Mokshapuri", "Dwarkamati", and "Dwarkavati".<ref name="Dwar">{{Cite web |title=Dwarka Nagari -Introduction & Importance |url=http://www.dwarkadhish.org/Introduction-Importance.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120623190150/http://www.dwarkadhish.org/Introduction-Importance.aspx |archive-date=23 June 2012 |access-date=27 November 2013 |publisher=Dwarkadish organization}}</ref> It is mentioned in the ancient epic period of the ''[[Mahabharata]]''.{{Sfn|Sridharan|2000|p=7}} According to legend, [[Krishna]] settled here after he defeated and killed his uncle [[Kamsa]] at [[Mathura]].<ref>{{cite book|title=Journal of the Bombay Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=QmxEAQAAMAAJ|year=1910|publisher=The Branch}}</ref> This mythological account of Krishna's migration to Dwarka from Mathura is closely associated with the [[culture of Gujarat]].{{sfn|Yagnik|Sheth|2005|p=3}} Krishna is also said to have reclaimed 12&nbsp;[[yojanas]] or {{Convert|96|km2}} of land from the sea to create Dwarka.<ref name=Under>{{cite journal |last1=Gaur |first1=A. S. |last2=Tripati |first2=Sundaresh |last3=Tripati |first3=Sila |title=An ancient harbour at Dwarka: Study based on the recent underwater explorations |journal=Current Science |date=2004 |volume=86 |issue=9 |pages=1256–1260 |jstor=24109935 |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/24109935 |issn=0011-3891}}</ref>

Archaeological findings suggest the original temple [[Dwarkadhish Temple]] dedicated to Krishna was built in 200 BCE at the earliest.<ref>{{cite book|author=S. R. Rao|title=Marine Archaeology of Indian Ocean Countries|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=bgYIAQAAIAAJ|date=1988|publisher=National Institute of Oceanography|isbn=8190007408|pages=18–25|quote=The Kharoshti inscription in the first floor of Sabhamandapa of Dwarkadhish Temple is assignable to 200 BC. [...] Excavation was done by the veteran archaeologist H.D. Sankalia some twenty years ago on the western side of the present Jagat-Man- dir at Modern Dwarka and he declared that the present Dwarka was not earlier than about 200 BC.}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=L. P. Vidyarthi|title=Journal of Social Research,Volume 17|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JuUKAAAAIAAJ|date=1974|publisher=Council of Social and Cultural Research|page=60|quote=Inscription in brahmi found in the temple supports the fact of its construction during the Mauryan regime. Apart from this beginning, the pages of history of Dwarka and Dwarkadhish temple are full of accounts of its destruction and reconstruction in the last 2000 years.}}</ref><ref>{{cite book|author=Alok Tripathi|title=Remote Sensing And Archaeology|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NCBmAAAAMAAJ|date=2005|publisher=Sundeep Prakashan|isbn=8175741554|page=79|quote=In 1963 H.D. Sankalia carried out an archaeological excavation.. at Dwarkadheesh temple at Dwarka to solve the problem. Archaeological evidences found in this excavation were only 2000 years old}}</ref> The temple was rebuilt and  enlarged in the 15th–16th century.<ref>1988, P. N. Chopra, ''Encyclopaedia of India'', Volume 1, p. 114.</ref><ref>{{cite book|last=Rao|first=Shikaripur Ranganath|title=The lost city of Dvārakā|date=1999|publisher=Aditya Prakashan|isbn=978-8186471487}}</ref> The temple is also the location of [[Dvaraka Pitha|Dwaraka maţha]], also called ''[[Saraswati|Sharada]] Matha/Peeth'' and "western peeth",{{sfn|nn|1964|p=12}}{{refn|group=note|name="Saradha"}} one of the four ''peeths'' ([[Sanskrit language|Sanskrit]]: "religious center") established by [[Adi Shankaracharya]]. As an important pilgrimage centre for Hindus, Dwarka has several notable temples, including [[Rukmini Devi Temple]], Gomti Ghat, and [[Bet Dwarka]]. There is also a lighthouse at the land end point of Dwarka.

===Archaeology===
Archaeological investigations at Dwarka, both on shore and offshore in the [[Arabian Sea]], have been performed by the [[Archaeological Survey of India]]. The first investigations carried out on land in 1963 revealed many artefacts.<ref name= Subramanian>{{Cite web|last= Subramanian|first= T.S.|url=http://www.hindu.com/2007/02/23/stories/2007022301242200.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070224105526/http://www.hindu.com/2007/02/23/stories/2007022301242200.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=24 February 2007|title=Significant finds at Dwaraka|date= 23 February 2007|newspaper= [[The Hindu]]|access-date=14 April 2015}}</ref> Excavations done at two sites on the seaward side of Dwarka brought to light submerged settlements, a large stone-built jetty, and triangular stone anchors with three holes. The settlements are in the form of exterior and interior walls, and fort bastions. From the [[Typology (archaeology)|typological]] classification of the anchors it is inferred that Dwarka had flourished as a port during the period of the [[Middle kingdoms of India]].<ref name=Under/> [[Coastal erosion]] was probably the cause of the destruction of what was an ancient port. Another excavation near Dwarkadhish temple took place which have yielded a shrine dedicated to [[Vishnu]] from 9th century CE, furthermore excavation were conducted which yielded a settlement from 1st century BCE another excavation was conducted in the site for the antiquity of the town, have yielded a settlement probably contemporary to [[Mahabharata]] dated around [[2nd millennium BCE]].{{R|Under}}

Dwarka is mentioned in the copper inscription dated 574&nbsp;CE of Simhaditya, the [[Maitraka|Maitraka dynasty]] minister of [[Vallabhi]]. He was the son of Varahdas, the king of Dwarka. The nearby Bet Dwarka island is a religious pilgrimage site and an important archaeological site of the [[Late Harappan]] period, with one [[thermoluminescence]] date of 1570&nbsp;BCE.{{sfn|Singh|2008|p=222}}<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.533668|title=Excavations At Dwarka: 1963|last=Ansari|first=Z. d|date=1964}}</ref>

===Early history===
An epigraphic reference ascribed to Garulaka Simhaditya, the son of Varahdas, the king of Dwarka, is inscribed on a copper plate dated to 574&nbsp;CE, found in [[Palitana]]. The Greek writer of the ''[[Periplus of the Erythraean Sea]]'' referred to a place called Baraca, which has been interpreted as present-day Dwarka. A reference made in [[Ptolemy]]'s ''[[Geography (Ptolemy)|Geography]]'' identified Barake as an island in the Gulf of Kanthils, which has also been inferred to mean Dwarka.<ref name=Under/>

One of the [[Char Dham|four dhams]] (religious seats), which were founded by [[Adi Shankara]]charya (686–717&nbsp;CE) at the four corners of the country, was established as a monastic centre and it forms part of the Dwarka temple complex.{{sfn|Brockman|2011|p=94}}{{sfn|Desai|2007|p=285}}

===Middle Ages to present===
[[File:Dwarka1.jpg|thumb|left|Dwarka in a painting of the late 1820s by William Purser]]
In 1473 the [[Gujarat Sultanate|Gujarat Sultan]] [[Mahmud Begada]] sacked the town and destroyed the temple of Dwarka.{{sfn|Sen|2013|p=115}}{{sfn|Yagnik|Sheth|2005|p=50}} The Jagat Mandir or the Dwarakadhisa temple was later rebuilt.<ref name=Brit>{{cite encyclopedia|url=https://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/174909/Dwarka|title=Dwarka|access-date=19 April 2015|encyclopedia=Encyclopedia Britannica}}</ref> [[Vallabha Acharya]] retrieved an idol of Dwarkadhish, which was revered by Rukmini. He hid it in a [[stepwell]], known as Savitri vav, during the Muslim invasion, before moving it to Ladva village. In 1551, when Turk Aziz invaded Dwarka, the idol was shifted to the island of Bet Dwarka.{{citation needed|date=August 2021}}

[[File:Dwarka (1909) (20161999144).jpg|thumb|View of Dwarka from the south bank of the Gomti creek, 1909]]
Dwarka, along with the Okhamandal region, was under the rule of [[Gaekwad of Baroda]] state during the [[Indian rebellion of 1857]]. A war broke out at Okhamandal in 1858 between the local [[Wagher|Vaghers]] and the [[British Raj|British]]. The Vaghers had won the battle and ruled until September 1859. Later, after a joint offensive of the British, the Gaekwads, and other princely state troops, the Vaghers were ousted in 1859. During these operations, led by Colonel Donovan, the temples at Dwarka and Bet Dwarka suffered damage and were looted. A complaint of atrocities by the British was made by the local people of Jamnagar, [[Porbander]], and [[Kutch]], which led to their restoration.{{Sfn|Dharaiya|1970|p=120}}<ref name=Democracy>{{cite web| title=Gujarat During The Great Revolt: The Rebellion In Okhmandal| date=7 October 2007| url=http://archives.peoplesdemocracy.in/2007/1007/10072007_1857.htm| access-date=19 April 2015| publisher=People's Democracy| volume=XXXI| issue=40| archive-date=16 January 2015| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150116021507/http://archives.peoplesdemocracy.in/2007/1007/10072007_1857.htm| url-status=dead}}</ref>{{sfn|Yagnik|Sheth|2005|pp=94–95}} In 1861, Dwarakadheesh Temple was renovated by [[Khanderao II Gaekwad|Maharaja Khanderao]] and the British, who refurbished the [[shikara]].{{citation needed|date=August 2021}} [[Sayajirao Gaekwad III|Maharaja Gaikwad]] of [[Baroda]] added a golden [[pinnacle]] to the shikara in 1958 during a refurbishment by Shankaracharya of Dwarka. Since 1960, the temple has been maintained by the Government of India.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Sheikh|first=Samira|date=1 May 2017|title=Ruling Dvārakā: Kṛṣṇa's Capital in Later Times (ca. 1450–1950)|url=https://academic.oup.com/jhs/article/10/1/112/3797244/Ruling-Dvaraka-K-a-s-Capital-in-Later-Times-ca|journal=The Journal of Hindu Studies|volume=10|issue=1|pages=112–130|doi=10.1093/jhs/hix004|issn=1756-4255|url-access=subscription}}</ref>

The [[Sudama Setu]], a bridge over the Gomti River connecting mainland Dwarka with Panchkui island was opened in 2016.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/sudama-setu-connecting-dwarka-with-panchnad-likely-to-be-completed-befor-janmashtami-festival/|title= Sudama setu' connecting Dwarka with Panchnad likely to be completed before Janmashtami festival|newspaper=The Indian Express|date=20 June 2015|access-date=12 September 2015}}</ref>

==Geography and climate==
[[File:Sudhama setu.jpg|thumb|[[Sudama Setu]]]]
[[File:Dwarka beach when the sea and sun sets.jpg|thumb|The late evening in the sea shores of Dwarka Beach]]

===Geography===
Dwarka, at the mouth of the [[Gulf of Kutch]], on the western shore of the Okhamandal Peninsula, is on the right bank of the Gomti River which rises from the Bhavda village at a place known as Mul-Gomti, {{Convert|10|km}} to the east. It is now under the newly formed district of Devbhoomi Dwarka at the western end of the Saurashtra ([[Kathiawar]]) peninsula, facing the Arabian Sea.<ref name=Gaur>{{Cite web|last1= Gaur |first1= A.S.|last2= Tripati |first2= Sila |url=http://drs.nio.org/drs/bitstream/2264/507/1/Migration_Diffusion_6_56.pdf|title= Ancient Dwarka: Study Based On Recent Underwater Archaeological Investigation|access-date=11 April 2015|publisher=National Institute of Oceanography|pages=56–58}}</ref> The Gomti River was a harbour until the 19th century.<ref name=Under/>

===Climate===
According to the [[Köppen climate classification|Köppen-Geiger classification]], Dwarka has the [[hot semi-arid climate]] (''BSh'') typical of Gujarat, bordering upon a [[hot arid climate]] (''BWh''). The [[Holdridge life zones|Holdridge life zones system of bio-climatic classification]] identifies Dwarka in or near the subtropical thorn woodland biome.<ref name=Climate>{{Cite web|url=http://www.dwarka.climatemps.com/|title= Dwarka Climate & Temperature|access-date=9 April 2015|publisher= Dwarka.climatemps.com}}</ref> The “average” annual rainfall is {{Convert|490|mm|inch|1|disp=or}} spread over a rainy period of 16 days limited to the months of June to September. However, the variability is among the highest in the world with [[coefficient of variation]] of around sixty per cent<ref>{{cite journal|last=Van Etten|first=Eddie J.B.|title=Inter-annual Rainfall Variability of Arid Australia: greater than elsewhere?|journal=[[Australian Geographer]]|volume=40|year=2009|issue=1 |pages=109–120|doi=10.1080/00049180802657075 |bibcode=2009AuGeo..40..109V }}</ref> – among the few comparably variable climates in the world being the [[Line Islands]] of Kiribati, the [[Pilbara]] coast of Western Australia, the [[sertão]] of Northeastern Brazil, and the [[Cape Verde]] islands.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Dewar|first1=Robert E.|last2=Wallis|first2=James R|title=Geographical patterning of interannual rainfall variability in the tropics and near tropics: An L-moments approach|journal=[[Journal of Climate]]|date=1999 |volume=12|issue=12 |pages=3457–3466|doi=10.1175/1520-0442(1999)012<3457:GPOIRV>2.0.CO;2 |bibcode=1999JCli...12.3457D }}</ref> Extremes of annual rainfall have ranged from as little as {{convert|15.0|mm|in|2|disp=or}} in 1987 to as much as {{convert|1288.1|mm|in|2|disp=or}} in 2010, while as much as {{convert|355.8|mm|in|2|disp=or}} fell in one day on 2 July 1998.

The average maximum [[temperature]] is {{Convert|30|C}} with a record high of {{Convert|42.7|C}} and an average minimum temperature of {{Convert|23.6|C}} with a minimum of {{Convert|6.1|C}}; the average annual [[relative humidity]] is 72%, with a maximum of 80%.

{{weather box
| width = auto
| location = Dwarka (1991–2020, extremes 1901–present)
| metric first = yes
| single line = yes
| Jan record high C = 34.0
| Feb record high C = 37.3
| Mar record high C = 38.8
| Apr record high C = 41.1
| May record high C = 42.7
| Jun record high C = 39.5
| Jul record high C = 36.4
| Aug record high C = 35.7
| Sep record high C = 39.4
| Oct record high C = 40.0
| Nov record high C = 37.6
| Dec record high C = 35.2
| year record high C = 42.7
| Jan high C = 26.5
| Feb high C = 27.4
| Mar high C = 29.0
| Apr high C = 30.6
| May high C = 32.0
| Jun high C = 32.7
| Jul high C = 31.1
| Aug high C = 30.1
| Sep high C = 30.7
| Oct high C = 32.1
| Nov high C = 31.8
| Dec high C = 28.6
| year high C = 30.2
|Jan mean C = 21.5
|Feb mean C = 23.0
|Mar mean C = 25.6
|Apr mean C = 27.8
|May mean C = 29.7
|Jun mean C = 30.5
|Jul mean C = 29.3
|Aug mean C = 28.2
|Sep mean C = 28.4
|Oct mean C = 28.7
|Nov mean C = 26.8
|Dec mean C = 23.2
| Jan low C = 16.3
| Feb low C = 18.5
| Mar low C = 22.1
| Apr low C = 25.2
| May low C = 27.4
| Jun low C = 28.4
| Jul low C = 27.5
| Aug low C = 26.3
| Sep low C = 26.0
| Oct low C = 25.2
| Nov low C = 21.8
| Dec low C = 17.9
| year low C = 23.5
| Jan record low C = 6.1
| Feb record low C = 8.3
| Mar record low C = 7.8
| Apr record low C = 17.2
| May record low C = 20.0
| Jun record low C = 22.0
| Jul record low C = 21.3
| Aug record low C = 20.6
| Sep record low C = 21.2
| Oct record low C = 16.7
| Nov record low C = 12.2
| Dec record low C = 8.3
| year record low C = 6.1
| rain colour = green
| Jan rain mm = 1.0
| Feb rain mm = 1.0
| Mar rain mm = 0.6
| Apr rain mm = 0.0
| May rain mm = 0.0
| Jun rain mm = 66.5
| Jul rain mm = 188.8
| Aug rain mm = 141.8
| Sep rain mm = 84.4
| Oct rain mm = 3.9
| Nov rain mm = 2.2
| Dec rain mm = 0.5
| year rain mm = 490.8
| Jan rain days = 0.1
| Feb rain days = 0.1
| Mar rain days = 0.1
| Apr rain days = 0.0
| May rain days = 0.0
| Jun rain days = 2.2
| Jul rain days = 6.6
| Aug rain days = 5.5
| Sep rain days = 2.7
| Oct rain days = 0.5
| Nov rain days = 0.1
| Dec rain days = 0.1
| year rain days = 17.9
| time day = 17:30 [[Indian Standard Time|IST]]
| Jan humidity = 50
| Feb humidity = 61
| Mar humidity = 71
| Apr humidity = 76
| May humidity = 79
| Jun humidity = 79
| Jul humidity = 82
| Aug humidity = 82
| Sep humidity = 79
| Oct humidity = 69
| Nov humidity = 54
| Dec humidity = 48
| year humidity = 69
| source 1 = [[India Meteorological Department]]<ref>{{cite web
| url = https://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/Climatological%20Tables%201991-2020.pdf
| title = Climatological Tables of Observatories in India 1991-2020
| publisher = [[India Meteorological Department]]
| access-date = 8 April 2024
}}</ref><ref name=IMDnormals>
{{cite web
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200205040301/http://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/1981-2010%20CLIM%20NORMALS%20%28STATWISE%29.pdf
| archive-date = 5 February 2020
| url = https://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/1981-2010%20CLIM%20NORMALS%20%28STATWISE%29.pdf
| title = Station: Dwarka Climatological Table 1981–2010
| publisher = India Meteorological Department
| date = December 2016
| pages = 263–264
| access-date = 28 September 2020}}</ref><ref name=IMDextremes>
{{cite web
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200205042509/http://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/EXTREMES%20OF%20TEMPERATURE%20and%20RAINFALL%20upto%202012.pdf
| archive-date = 5 February 2020
| url = https://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/EXTREMES%20OF%20TEMPERATURE%20and%20RAINFALL%20upto%202012.pdf
| title = Extremes of Temperature & Rainfall for Indian Stations (Up to 2012)
| publisher = India Meteorological Department
| date = December 2016
| page = M54
| access-date = 28 September 2020}}</ref>
|source 2 = Tokyo Climate Center (mean temperatures 1991–2020)<ref name=TCC1>
{{cite web
| url = https://ds.data.jma.go.jp/gmd/tcc/tcc/products/climate/normal/parts/NrmMonth_e.php?stn=42731
| title = Normals Data: Dwarka – India Latitude: 22.37°N Longitude: 69.08°E Height: 10 (m)
| publisher = Japan Meteorological Agency
| access-date = 1 December 2022}}</ref>
}}

==Demographics==
[[File:Bhixuvulu at rukmani mandir 1.JPG|thumb|right|Pilgrims at Rukmani Temple]]
As of the [[2011 Census of India]],<ref name="Census Commission of India">{{cite web|url=http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040616075334/http://www.censusindia.net/results/town.php?stad=A&state5=999|archive-date=16 June 2004|title= Census of India 2001: Data from the 2001 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)|access-date=1 November 2008|publisher= Census Commission of India}}</ref> Dwarka had a population of 38873 (as per Census 2011, the population reported is 38,873<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.census2011.co.in/data/town/802510-dwarka-gujarat.html|title=Dwarka Population Census 2011|publisher=Census2011.com|access-date=1 November 2008}}</ref>). Males constitute 20,306 of the population, and females constitute 18,567. Dwarka has an average literacy rate of 75.94%, lower than the national average of 78.03%; the male literacy rate is 83%, and the female literacy rate is 68.27%. 11.98% of the population is under six years of age.<ref name="Census Commission of India"/>

==Economy==
[[File:IndianCharmVendor.jpg|thumb|left|A street vendor's wares in Dwarka]]
Most of the revenue of Dwarka is derived from tourism, due to it being a site for pilgrims.<ref name=Brit/> It is a producer of agricultural produce such as [[millets]], [[ghee]] (clarified butter), [[oilseeds]], and [[salt]], which are transported from its port.<ref name=Brit/> A long-term development plan was proposed in 2011 with investment of {{INRConvert|830|m}} to refurbish Dwarka and to build a bridge connecting the town with Okha and Bet Dwarka.<ref name=Plan>{{Cite news|url=http://www.rediff.com/money/report/gujarat-draws-34-proposals-to-boost-tourism/20110307.htm|title=Gujarat draws 34 proposals to boost tourism|access-date=19 April 2015|date=7 March 2011|work=Rediff.com}}</ref> A wind farm power generation of 39.2&nbsp;MW, operated near Dwarka by the AES Saurashtra Windfarms Pvt Ltd (ASW), is now run by [[Tata Power|Tata Power Renewable Energy Ltd]] (TPREL).<ref name=Wind>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/companies/tata-power-acquires-392-mw-wind-farm-in-gujarat/article5726326.ece|title=Tata Power acquires 39.2 MW wind farm in Gujarat|access-date=19 April 2015|date=25 February 2014|newspaper=The Hindu Business Line}}</ref> Dwarka's industrial activity mainly centres around cement production.<ref name=Brit/>  Sharda Peeth Vidya Sabha is an educational society sponsored by the Sharda Peeth, Dwarka which runs an arts college in Dwarka.

== Tourism ==
Dwarka, renowned as one of the [[Char Dham]] pilgrimage sites and a significant spiritual hub, attracts numerous tourists and devotees annually.

=== Submarine-based underwater tourism ===
In December 2023, the [[Government of Gujarat]] announced the introduction of India's first submarine-based underwater tourism facility in Dwarka, to be operationalised by October 2024.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Gujarat to introduce India's first submarine tourism in Dwarka |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/gujarat-to-introduce-indias-first-submarine-tourism-in-dwarka-101703836859741.html |work=Hindustan Times |date=29 December 2023 |access-date=29 December 2023}}</ref> This initiative, in collaboration with [[Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited|Mazagon Dock shipbuilders]], aims to offer an underwater exploration of the marine life around Dwarka.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Kotak |first=Yesha |date=28 December 2023 |title=Gujarat Govt Signs MoU with Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders For Tourist Submarines to Dwarka |url=https://www.news18.com/india/gujarat-govt-signs-mou-with-mazagon-dock-shipbuilders-for-tourist-submarines-to-dwarka-8720856.html |work=News18 |access-date=29 December 2023}}</ref> The project plans to use submarines capable of descending to 100 meters below sea level, each accommodating 24 tourists along with two pilots and crew. The submarines are designed to provide passengers with a view of the underwater environment.<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Doshi |first=Brijesh |date=29 December 2023 |title=Gujarat to launch country's first submarine tourism in Dwarka |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/gujarat-to-launch-countrys-first-submarine-tourism-in-lost-city-dwarka-lord-krishna-2481709-2023-12-29 |magazine=India Today |access-date=29 December 2023}}</ref>

==Landmarks==

===Temples===
[[File:Dwarakadheesh Temple, 2014.jpg|right|thumb|[[Dwarakadhisa Temple]]]]
Considered a holy city, Dwarka is well known for its temples and as a pilgrimage centre for Hindus. The [[Dwarakadhisa Temple]], also called ''Jagat Mandir'', located in the heart of Dwarka, is a Vaishnava temple.{{sfn|Desai|2007|p=285}} It was built by Raja Jagat Singh Rathore, hence it is called Jagat Mandir.{{Sfn|Bandyopadhyay|2014|p=71}} The temple, facing west, is at an elevation of {{Convert|12.19|m}} above mean sea-level. It is conjectured that this temple location is 2,500 years old and is where Krishna built his city and a temple. However, the existing temple is dated to the 16th century.{{sfn|Desai|2007|p=285}}{{Sfn|Bansal|2008|pp=20–23}} It is a five-storied edifice built over 72 pillars (a sandstone temple with 60 pillars is also mentioned<ref name=Brit/>). The temple spire rises to a height of {{Convert|78|m}}, and a very large flag with symbols of the sun and moon is hoisted on it.{{Sfn|Bansal|2008|pp=20–23}}{{sfn|Desai|2007|p=285}} The temple layout consists of a [[garbhagriha]] (''Nijamandira'' or ''Harigraha'') and an [[antarala]] (an antechamber).{{Sfn|Paramāra|1996|p=87}} The main deity deified in the sanctum is Dwarkadeesh, which is known as the [[Trivikrama]] form of [[Vishnu]] and is depicted with four arms.{{Sfn|Bansal|2008|pp=20–23}}

The Dwarakadhisa Temple is also the location of [[Dvaraka Pitha]], also called ''Sharada Matha/Peeth'' and "western peeth"),{{sfn|nn|1964|p=12}}{{refn|group=note|name="Saradha"|Dvaraka Peeth, located in the west, and [[:Sringeri Sharada Peetham]], located in the south, are both called "Sharada Peeth".{{sfn|Singh|Mishra|2010|p=322}} In the Telugu language, "Sharada" (శారద) is the name for [[Saraswati]], the [[Hindu]] [[Devi|goddess]] of knowledge, music, arts, wisdom and learning.<ref>Kinsley, David (1988), Hindu Goddesses: Vision of the Divine Feminine in the Hindu Religious Traditions, University of California Press, {{ISBN|0-520-06339-2}}, pages&nbsp;55–64</ref> The ''Sharada Matha/Peeth'' is not to be confused with [[Sharada Peeth]], a temple in Kashmir.}} one of the four peeths (Sanskrit: "religious center") established by Adi Shankaracharya.
[[File:Rukmini temple.JPG|left|thumb|Rukmini Devi Temple]]
Gomti Ghat consists of steps leading to the Gomti River, which is also a holy place for pilgrims to take a dip in the river, before visiting Dwarakadish temple. The ghat has a number of small shrines dedicated to the [[Samudra]] (God of the Sea), [[Saraswati]] and [[Lakshmi]].{{sfn|Desai|2007|p=285}} Other notable temples in the ghat area include the Samudra Narayana (Sangam Narayana) temple, which is at the confluence of the Gomti River with the sea, the Chakra Narayana temple where there is a stone with an imprint of a [[chakra]] as a manifestation of Vishnu, and the Gomati temple, which has an idol of the river goddess Gomati that is said to have been brought to earth by the sage [[Vasishta]].{{Sfn|Bansal|2008|pp=20–23}}

The [[Rukmini Devi Temple]], dedicated to [[Rukmini]], Krishna's chief queen, is located {{convert|2|km|mi}} away from Dwarka. The temple is said to be 2,500 years old, but in its present form it is estimated to belong to the 12th century. It is a richly carved temple decorated with sculptures of gods and goddesses on the exterior with the sanctum housing the main image of Rukmini. Carved ''naratharas'' (human figures) and carved ''gajatharas'' (elephants) are depicted in panels at the base of the tower.<ref>{{Cite web |url= http://www.gujarattourism.com/destination/details/6/307 |title= Jamnagar |access-date= 14 April 2015 |publisher= Government of Gujarat Tourism |archive-date= 27 April 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20150427151656/http://www.gujarattourism.com/destination/details/6/307 |url-status= dead }}</ref>

[[Letitia Elizabeth Landon]]'s poetical illustration {{ws|[[s:Letitia Elizabeth Landon (L. E. L.) in Fisher's Drawing Room Scrap Book, 1837/The Sacred Shrines of Dwarka|''The Sacred Shrines of Dwarka'']]}}, to an engraving of William Purser's painting shown above (painting of the late 1820s), says little of the temples themselves but does advocate and praise [[religious tolerance]]. It was published in Fisher's Drawing Room Scrap Book, 1837.<ref>{{cite book|last =Landon|first=Letitia Elizabeth|title=Fisher's Drawing Room Scrap Book, 1837|url=https://play.google.com/books/reader?id=39BbAAAAQAAJ&pg=GBS.PA38|section=picture|year=1836|publisher=Fisher, Son & Co.}}{{cite book|last =Landon|first=Letitia Elizabeth|title=Fisher's Drawing Room Scrap Book, 1837|url=https://play.google.com/books/reader?id=39BbAAAAQAAJ&pg=GBS.PA40|section=poetical illustration|page=17|year=1836|publisher=Fisher, Son & Co.}}</ref>

===Nagesvara Jyotirlinga===
Ancient Shiva temple, [[Nageshvara Jyotirlinga|Nagesvara Jyortirlinga]], one of the 12 [[Jyotirlinga]]s and only 16&nbsp;km from Dwarkadhish Temple.

===Lighthouse and lake===
[[file:Dwarka - Lighthouse.jpg|thumb|Lighthouse at the Dwarka Point]]
There is a lighthouse at the Dwarka Point on the Dwarka peninsula, which provides a panoramic view of the town. It is a fixed light situated {{Convert|70|ft}} above the sea level, and the light is visible over a distance of {{Convert|10|mi}}. The lighthouse tower is {{Convert|40|ft}} in height and is {{Convert|117|yard}} away from the high water level in the sea.{{Sfn|Kapoor|2002|p=2103}}{{Sfn|Findlay|1876|p=825}} The radio beacon provided on this lighthouse tower is powered by a [[solar photovoltaic module]].{{Sfn|Sah|1995|p=27}}

There is a lake or tank called Gopi Talab in the western part of Dwarka.

A similar lake known for Gopi Chandan, meaning "sandal paste from Gopi", is situated in Bet Dwarka; this mud is found in the bed of the lake. This fragrant mud is applied as a sanctity symbol by devout Hindus on their forehead.<ref name=Places>{{cite book|title=Pilgrim Places of India|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=tygzN5FvSKgC&pg=PA30|publisher=Ocean Books|isbn=978-81-87100-41-6|page=36}}</ref>

===Bet Dwarka===
[[File:At bet dvaraka samudram.JPG|left|thumb|Bet Dwarka coast]]
{{main|Bet Dwarka}}
Bet Dwarka, an island in the Arabian sea off the coast of Dwarka. Considered the original residence of Krishna, Bet Dwarka was the old port during the ancient times of Krishna before the [[Okha port]] was developed in Dwarka. The temple built here is credited to the religious Guru [[Vallabhacharya]] of the "[[Pushtimarg]] Sampradaya". Rice is the traditional offering here to the deity as it is believed that [[Sudama]] offered rice to his childhood friend Krishna. There are also smaller shrines on Bet Dwarka which are dedicated to Shiva, Vishnu, Hanuman and [[Devi]].{{sfn|Desai|2007|p=286}} According to a legend, Vishnu killed the demon Shankhasura on this island. There are temples of Vishnu in the incarnation of [[matsya]], or fish. Other shrines here are of Rukmini, [[Vamana|Trivikrama]], [[Devaki]], [[Radha]], Lakshmi, [[Satyabhama]], [[Jambavati]], [[Lakshmi Narayan]], and many other gods.{{Sfn|Kapoor|2002|p=2103}} [[Sudarshan Setu]], a bridge connecting the land to Bet Dwarka, facilitates access to the island.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bisht |first=Shilpi |date=25 February 2024 |title=Gujarat's Sudarshan Setu: How India's Longest Cable-Stayed Bridge will Improve Connectivity |url=https://www.news18.com/explainers/gujarats-sudarshan-setu-how-indias-longest-cable-stayed-bridge-will-improve-connectivity-8792187.html |work=News18 |access-date=23 March 2024}}</ref>

[[Hanuman Dandi temple]] is another notable temple located in Bet Dwarka, {{Convert|6|km}} away from Dwarkadhish Temple, Bet Dwarka. The temple is deified with many images of [[Hanuman]] and his son [[Makardhwaja]]. The legend associated with the birth of a son to Hanuman, who is considered celibate, is that the sweat of Hanuman was consumed by a crocodile which then gave birth to a son named Makardhwaja.{{sfn|Desai|2007|p=286}} The Jethwa Rajput clan of Kshatriyas claim their descent from Makardhwaja.

[[File:Nageshwar Temple.jpg|right|thumb|Nageshwar Mandir]]
[[Nageshvara Jyotirlinga]] Mandir is a temple dedicated to [[Shiva]], and one of the twelve [[Jyotirlinga]]s (meaning “pillars of light") is deified here in a subterranean cell.{{Sfn|Deshpande|2005|p=273}}

=== Shivrajpur Beach ===
{{main|Shivrajpur beach}}
Shivrajpur Beach is 14.5&nbsp;km (approx. 8.8 miles)<ref>{{Cite web |date=5 June 2023 |title=Travel Guide from Dwarka to Shivrajpur Beach Distance & Experience |url=https://shivrajpur.net/dwarka-shivrajpur-distance/ |access-date=27 July 2023 |language=en-GB}}</ref>  from Dwarka Railway Station and is among eight Indian beaches to get the prestigious [[Blue Flag beach]] certification.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Kumar|first=Ravi Prakash|date=15 October 2020|title=8 Indian beaches get prestigious Blue Flag certification. Check list here|url=https://www.livemint.com/news/india/best-indian-beaches-get-prestigious-blue-flag-certification-check-list-here-11602743882083.html|access-date=25 January 2021|work=Mint|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=12 October 2020|first=Kuldeep|last=Tiwari|title=Gujarat's Shivrajpur beach gets Blue Flag certification|url=https://ahmedabadmirror.indiatimes.com/ahmedabad/others/gujarats-shivrajpur-beach-gets-blue-flag-certification/articleshow/78611344.cms|access-date=25 January 2021|work=Ahmedabad Mirror|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=29 December 2020|title=Blue flag flutters high in Shivrajpur beach|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/rajkot/blue-flag-flutters-high-in-shivrajpur-beach/articleshow/79999030.cms|access-date=25 January 2021|work=The Times of India|language=en}}</ref>

==Culture and sports==

===Culture===
[[File:Gugali Brahman.png|thumb|Photograph of a Gugali Brahmin, 1911]]
[[Janmashtami]] is the main festival that is celebrated during the months of August and September{{Sfn|Desai|2007|p=71}} with great fervor and piety as it is believed to be the abode of Lord Krishna in prehistoric times. The festival is marked by several night long celebrations to mark the birth of Krishna. [[Bhajan]]s and sermons are part of the festivities. At midnight there is reenactment of Krishna's childhood in the form of [[Garba (dance)|Garba]] and [[Dandiya Raas|Raas dances]]. On this occasion, the local boys create a pyramid and a young boy in the costume of Krishna climbs up this pyramid to strike a pot holding butter, an act which Krishna had mischievously performed with the [[gopis]].{{sfn|Desai|2007|p=285}} This is also known as "[[Dahi Handi]]" or Utlotsavam.

Sharda Peeth Vidya Sabha is an educational society sponsored by the Sharda Peeth, which runs an arts college in Dwarka. The town is also home to the N.D.H. High School and P.V.M Girls' High School.<ref>{{cite book|title=District Census Handbook|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XcrUAAAAMAAJ|year=1964|publisher=Director, Government Print. and Stationery, Gujarat State|pages=43, 183}}</ref>

The Gugli Brahmins are the hereditary pilgrimage priests of Dwarka.<ref>{{cite book|last=Tambs-Lyche|first=Harald|title=Power, Profit and Poetry: Traditional Society in Kathiawar, Western India|publisher=Manohar|year=1997|page=213}}</ref>

==Transportation==
Dwarka is well-connected by road, rail and air to cities across the country.

=== Train ===
[[Dwarka railway station]] is a fairly busy railway junction station of [[Western Railway zone|Western Railways]] and is served by numerous regional and long-distance trains. It connects the city with major cities of state and the country. A weekly train service connects [[Guwahati]], [[Rameswaram]], [[Puri]], [[Tuticorin]], [[Dehradun]] and [[Kolkata]]. A daily trains connects the city to major cities in Gujarat such as [[Ahmedabad]], [[Bhavnagar]], [[Jamnagar]], [[Junagadh]], [[Rajkot]], [[Surat]], [[Vadodara]] and [[Veraval]].

=== Air ===
Nearest Airport is [[Jamnagar Airport]] at 131&nbsp;km which has a daily direct flight to [[Mumbai]] and thrice-in-a-week flights to [[Hyderabad]] and [[Bengaluru]].

=== Road ===
{{Convert|217|km}} away from [[Rajkot]], 235&nbsp;km from [[Somnath temple|Somnath]] and {{Convert|378|km}} from [[Ahmedabad]].<ref name="Dwar" />

==Notes==
{{Reflist|group=note}}

== See also ==
* [[Nageshvara Jyotirlinga]]
* [[Somnath temple|Somnath Temple]]

== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==Bibliography==
{{refbegin|30em}}
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{{refend}}
==External links==
{{Commons category}}
{{wikiquote}}
* [http://www.dwarkadhish.org/ Dwarkadhish.org] Official website of Jagad Mandir Dwarka
* {{Britannica|174909}}

{{Wikivoyage inline}}
{{Hindu holy cities}}
{{Krishna}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Archaeological sites in Gujarat]]
[[Category:Cities and towns in Devbhoomi Dwarka district]]
[[Category:Former capital cities in India]]
[[Category:Hindu holy cities]]
[[Category:Hindu pilgrimage sites in India]]
[[Category:Indus Valley Civilisation sites]]
[[Category:Krishna]]
[[Category:Places in Hindu mythology]]
[[Category:Places in the Mahabharata]]
[[Category:Mahabharata]]
[[Category:Underwater ruins]]
[[Category:Char Dham temples]]