1. DWARAKA & PORBANDER
Next halt was Dwarakadeesh temple also known as ‘Jagat mandir’, and “Triloksunder” is situated on Gomati Creek. The story goes that the temple was built by great grand son of Sri Krishna Vajranabh about 2500 years back. The temple is with huge Shikhar and with a flag believed to be made from 52 yards cloth .The temple consists of a Sanctum, and a rectangular hall with porches on three sides. The Dwar where pilgrims enter is called “Swarg Dwar “ and “ Moksha Dwar ‘ where from pilgrims exit..We have seen pilgrims are entering and leaving from the same Dwar ,may be due to security reasons.
The lower part of the temple appears to be built later. The main part of the temple reaches a height of nearly 100 meters. The Lord Dwarakadeesh idol is decorated with elaborate ornamentation.
The main attraction at temple is performing Harathi to Darakadeesh which is held 3 to 4 times a day at different timings. During Harathi time there is tremendous rush of pilgrims and as there is no proper arrangement it is difficult to get Darshan of Lord. Once the Harathi is over, one can leisurely have Darshan of Lord.
With its imposing architecture, Dwaraka deesh temple is one of the few temples frequently visited by pilgrims from all over the world.
BetDwaraka which is claimed as original abode of Lord Krishna is 5 k. meters away reached by a Ferry. This is a small island. Regularly pilgrims are transported to Bet Dwaraka from Dwaraka through big Ferries. We traveled in one of the Ferries. The ticket is Rs 16 per head both ways. Lord Krishna temple here is 500 years old built by Shri Vallabhacharya.It enshrines an Idol. As legend goes that this idol is made by Rukmini.The premises houses Sathyabhama palace and Jambavathi palace and other small temples.Archhalogical excavations at this place give adequate proof that original Dwaraka existed here and immersed under Sea over course of time.
On the way to Bet Dwaraka we visited Nageshwar Jyothirlinga temple. It is enshrined by one of the12 Swayambhu Jyothirlingas in the world in an underground sanctum. By the side of the temple you find imposing 25 meters tall statue of a sitting Lord Shiva.
While returning back from BetDwraka on the way we visited “Rukmini Devi Temple”. Surprisingly this temple is situated far away from main abode of Sree Krishna Bet Dwaraka...They say that once Lord Krishna and Rukmini invited Rishi Durvasa for Dinner.Durvasa agreed but asked them to take him in a chariot pulling the chariot themselves. They agreed. On the way Rukmini got thirsty and Lord Krishna prodded his toe into the earth to draw spring of holy water.Rukmini took a sip without offering water to Rishi.Durvasa cursed her that she would be separated from Lord Krishna for 12 years.
The whole region is dry area and you only find Sea water and not fresh water. Daily fresh water is brought by tankers from distant places.Non availability of fresh water is also due to curse of Durvasa they say. Donations are offered at the temple in terms of cost of one tanker or part thereof.
After visiting Dwaraka, we proceeded to Porbander.On the way from Dwaraka to Porbander there is small lake called ‘ Gopi Talav’.The legend says Gopis in Vrindavan came to visit lord Krishna when he moved to Dwaraka.They danced along with Lord Krishna at this place and unable to part from Krishna and offered their lives. It is said that they turned into yellow clay known as: Gopi chandan’.Even today the soil here is yellow in color.
Porbander falls on the way to Somnath .We spent some time here , which is famous for Gandhiji”s birth place. You find old 3 storey Haveli in the city where Gandhiji born and spent his childhood.. The Haveli is called as “Kirthy Mandir’, constructed by Gandhiji”s great great grand father. In the premises there’s a small museum with an exhibit of old photographs and library of books. The old Gandhiji”s house is retained as it is. You find a room where his mother gave birth to him and also a small room which was young Gandhiji”s study room. Near to the back side of the Haveli Kasturba Gandhi’s ancestor home is situated .This also well-preserved.
Another place in Porbander worth seeing is Bharath Mandir with exhibits of sculptures, Pictures and other examples of Indian tradition.
Near by there is sudhama mandir which was closed when we visited. It was lunch time. The legend goes that Sudhama is from this place.
We started Porbander around 3 p.m for Somnath. Journey to Somnath by road is across coast and you find Madhavpur beach on the way. .The beach is not very crowded. Visitors are few because of distance from city. We spent some time at the beach. Our driver cautioned that we should not venture into the beach as it is suddenly very shallow at certain places.
We reached place Balika tirtha outskirts of Somnath around 5.P.M