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 Situated in Gujarat, on the Ahmedabad-Okha broad-gauge railway line, about 137 km from Jamnagar, 217 km. from Rajkot and 378 km from Ahmedabad, Dwaraka is the city built by Lord Krishna himself after he slayed his demonic maternal uncle, Kamsa, who ruled Mathura. After slaying Kamsa, the Yadus were pursued by Kalayavana and Jarasandha and Krishna was concerned about the safety of his people. Srimad Bhagavata Mahapurana, in the second part of its tenth book mentions this in the following
Slokas.
Sri Krishna thought, “Oh, a great calamity has surely overtaken the Yadus from both sides (viz., Kalayavana and Jarasandha). This Yavana, who is followed by a huge army, has certainly invested us today. (And) Jarasandha (the ruler of Magadha) will also come either today or tomorrow or the day after (at the latest). If Jarasandha, (the foster-son of Jara, the demoness) comes while we are both (engaged in) contending with this fellow, the mighty Jarasandha will (either make short work of our relations or take them away (as captives) to his own capital. Therefore, we shall this (very) day construct a citadel which will be difficult of access to men and having ensconced our relations there, shall (return and) have the Yavana killed (by stratagem). (Slokas 46 to 49)
It was thus that the grand old city of Dwaraka was built. Historians estimate that Lord Krishna left for his divine abode, leaving his mortal frame behind, in the year 3102 B. C. According to the legend, Lord Krishna instructed his people to leave the city, as He was aware that the city would be engulfed by the sea after the culmination of His avatar. Extensive research has been carried out on this site and five settlements have been excavated, the city of the Lord, Dwaraka, being the sixth settlement that still lies buried under the sea.
 It is believed that the temple of Dwarakadhish, or Jagat Mandir where the idol of Lord Krishna is installed and is also known as Trilok Sundar, was built by the great grandson of the Lord, Vajranabah. The temple has seen the vicissitudes of time and has weathered many a storm under alien invasions. Destroyed and rebuilt several times, the present structure, historians assert, was constructed in 1730 A. D.
The temple is another poetry in stone of which the country abounds. The shrine is built over an area of 1800 sq. ft. with 60 finely sculpted granite and sandstone pillars supporting its imposing dome. The seven-storey temple tower rises to a height of 170 feet. And the idol of Lord Dwarakadhish, sculpted in black stone, three feet high with four arms, stands on a silver-plated Simhasana. The pilgrims go into the sanctum sanctorum, touch the image of the Lord and offer flowers and thulasi at His feet. There is an image of Ambaji in the upper storey and in a corner of the Sabhamandapa, the image of Balaram is installed.
 Dwaraka is one of the seven holy cities - Ayodhya, Mathura, Haridwar, Banaras, Kanchi, Ujjain, and Dwaraka are known as Mokshada, that which leads to salvation. Dwaraka is one of the places where Adi Sankaracharya established his ‘math’, known as Sarada Peetha. The name of Dwaraka is sanctified more by the fact that it was here that Mira Bai, the great poetess - Andal of the north - lived and spent her days.
Janmashtami (birthday of Lord Krishna), celebrated in the month of August/September, is a major festival of
Dwaraka.
How to reach there:
By rail: Broad-gauge railway line connects the city (for details see the first paragraph). There is a state highway that connects Jamnagar and Okha with luxury coaches operating from many parts of Gujarat. Nearest airport is Jamnagar. Best time to visit is from October to March.
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