Temple rules
Phones, cameras and bags are not allowed inside the Dwarkadhish temple, and there are counters nearby to leave them. Dress modestly and expect a security check.
Gujarat · One of the Char Dham
Dwarka, Krishna's city on the Arabian Sea
Dwarka, at the western tip of Saurashtra, is revered as Krishna's city and is one of the Char Dham, Hinduism's four sacred abodes. Come for darshan at the Dwarkadhish temple and the ghats on the Gomti, then cross the Sudarshan Setu to Bet Dwarka.
- Best: Nov–Feb
- 2 nights: one day for the town's temples, one for Nageshwar and Bet Dwarka
Tradition holds that Krishna founded Dwarka after leaving Mathura and ruled here as its king. The town's heart is the Dwarkadhish temple, or Jagat Mandir, five storeys high under a tall carved spire, with steps leading down from its Swarg Dwar gate to the ghats where the Gomti meets the sea.
Dwarka is one of the Char Dham, with Badrinath, Puri and Rameswaram, and one of Hinduism's seven sacred cities. Nageshwar, revered as one of the twelve Jyotirlingas, is nearby, and Bet Dwarka, an island off Okha, is now reached by road over the Sudarshan Setu, a cable-stayed bridge opened in 2024.
What to see
Sights in Dwarka
- 1
Dwarkadhish Temple
The main temple, dedicated to Krishna as king of Dwarka. The flag on its spire is changed several times a day, and darshan (seeing the deity) usually pauses for a few hours in the afternoon.
- 2
Gomti Ghat
Steps from the temple's Swarg Dwar lead down to the ghats (steps to the water) where pilgrims bathe before darshan.
- 3
Bet Dwarka
An island off Okha, about 30 km north, linked to Krishna's household. Since 2024 you drive across the Sudarshan Setu instead of taking a boat.
- 4
Nageshwar Jyotirlinga
A Shiva temple about 16 km away on the way towards Okha, revered as one of the twelve Jyotirlingas (shrines where Shiva is worshipped as a column of light), with a large statue of Shiva in its grounds.
- 5
Rukmini Devi Temple
A small, finely carved temple about 2 km outside town, dedicated to Krishna's queen Rukmini and thought to date in its present form from around the 12th century.
Things to do
Experiences in Dwarka
Darshan and aarti
The early-morning mangla aarti and the evening aarti (prayer rituals with lamps) are the most devotional times at Dwarkadhish; arrive early.
Janmashtami
Krishna's birthday, usually in August or September, is Dwarka's biggest festival, with midnight celebrations at the temple; rooms book out early.
Sunset by the lighthouse
Watch the sun go down over the Arabian Sea by the lighthouse and Bhadkeshwar Mahadev, a small Shiva shrine on rocks at the water's edge.
Porbandar on the way south
Driving on to Somnath, stop in Porbandar, about 105 km down the coast, for Kirti Mandir, beside the house where Gandhi was born, and Sudama Mandir.
When to go
- January: best time
- February: best time
- March: good, with caveats
- April: good, with caveats
- May: good, with caveats
- June: hard: heat, monsoon or closures
- July: hard: heat, monsoon or closures
- August: good, with caveats
- September: good, with caveats
- October: good, with caveats
- November: best time
- December: best time
October to March is the most comfortable time. April and May are warm, the monsoon months humid and wet, and Janmashtami (usually August or September) is the busiest time of year.
Getting there
- By air: Jamnagar Airport (JGA), about 140 km away (2.5–3 hours), has flights from Mumbai and a few other cities; Porbandar, about 105 km away, has fewer flights.
- By rail: Dwarka station, on the line to Okha, has direct trains from Ahmedabad, Rajkot and Mumbai.
- By road: About 140 km from Jamnagar (2.5–3 hours), 105 km from Porbandar (about 2 hours), 225 km from Rajkot (about 4.5 hours) and 450 km from Ahmedabad.
Local knowledge
Tips for Dwarka
Plan around the afternoon break
The Dwarkadhish temple usually closes from about 1 pm to 5 pm, and other temples keep similar hours, so visit in the morning and late afternoon.
A vegetarian town
Food in Dwarka is almost all vegetarian, including Kathiyawadi thalis: the spicier cooking of Saurashtra, served as a platter of small dishes.
Questions
Dwarka: FAQs
Why is Dwarka important for pilgrims?
Dwarka is revered as the city of Krishna and is one of the Char Dham, the four sacred pilgrimage sites with Badrinath, Puri and Rameswaram. Its main temple, Dwarkadhish, is dedicated to Krishna as king of Dwarka.
How do you get to Bet Dwarka?
Bet Dwarka is reached by road across the Sudarshan Setu, a cable-stayed bridge from Okha that opened in 2024. Okha is about 30 km from Dwarka, around 45 minutes by car.
Are phones allowed in the Dwarkadhish temple?
No. Mobile phones, cameras and bags are not allowed inside the Dwarkadhish temple in Dwarka, and there are counters nearby to leave them.
What is the nearest airport to Dwarka?
The usual airport for Dwarka is Jamnagar, about 140 km away (2.5–3 hours by road), with flights from Mumbai and a few other cities. Porbandar is closer, about 105 km, but has fewer flights.
Combine it with
Nearby destinations
Gujarat
Somnath
The first of the twelve Jyotirlingas
Shiva's shore temple at Prabhas Patan, revered as the first of the twelve Jyotirlingas, with an evening aarti and light and sound show by the Arabian Sea.
Best: Nov–Feb
Gujarat
Gir
Home of the Asiatic lion
The only place where Asiatic lions live in the wild, with jeep safaris from Sasan Gir between mid-October and mid-June.
Best: Nov–Mar
Let's plan your days in Dwarka.
Share your dates, who's travelling and what you'd love to see. We'll reply with a day-by-day plan and an itemised quote — no obligation.