Dwarka

Dwarka is a coastal city in the Jamnagar district of the western Indian state of Gujarat. It serves as the administrative headquarters of the Devbhoomi Dwarka district and is traditionally identified with the ancient city of Dwarka, the legendary capital of Krishna’s kingdom described in the Mahabharata and various Puranas. The city sits on the western shore of the Kathiawar peninsula along the Gulf of Kachchh, in the Saurashtra region.

It is a major pilgrimage site for Hindus. The Jagat Mandir, or Dwarkadhish Temple, is dedicated to Krishna as the sovereign king Dwarkadhish and is one of the most revered temples in Gujarat. The town also contains the Rukmini Temple and the Nageshwar Jyotirlinga temple near the coast, and the nearby Bet Dwarka island hosts its own temple complex connected to the mainland by ferry and causeway.

Legendary accounts describe Dwarka as an ancient city that once thrived at this site and was submerged by the sea. In modern times, Bet Dwarka and surrounding coast have yielded underwater and coastal archaeological finds that drawn scholarly attention, though dating and interpretation remain contested.

Economy and tourism form the core of Dwarka’s contemporary profile. Pilgrimage to the temples, coastal sightseeing, and nearby Bet Dwarka attract visitors year-round. The city also supports fishing and related trades. Gujarat Tourism promotes Dwarka through events such as the Dwarka Utsav, which showcases music, dance, and local crafts.