|Dwarka-Somnath

 

A 5-day trip to the kingdom of Shri Vasudev Krishna is an experience filled with devotion,history and beauty.

We landed at Rajkot Airport*, where our journey began. We kicked off our road trip in an Urbania van, one of the most comfortable vehicles I’ve ever traveled in. If you’re a group of 8 to 10, I highly recommend it for long road trips.

Our route took us from Rajkot to Dwarka, passing through Jamnagar. The journey lasted around 4 to 5 hours, with a couple of breaks for food and tea. The highways in Gujarat are impressive, wide, smooth, and scenic, making the ride enjoyable. The stretch near the Reliance Industries zone slowed us down due to traffic and industrial congestion, but it was fascinating to see the massive Reliance factories and catch a glimpse of the lives of workers in the area. We even passed by areas with Tata factories, highlighting Gujarat’s strong industrial presence.

 

Day 1: Arrival in Dwarka

Finally, we reached the sacred land of Dwarka, also known as Dwarkadhish Nagari, on the banks of the Gomti River. According to legends, this was the capital of Lord Krishna's kingdom after he left Mathura.

Though it was already night, we quickly freshened up and rushed to the Dwarkadhish Temple for darshan before closing time. The temple looked mystical under the moonlight, and we were blessed with a beautiful darshan of Shri Dwarkanath ji. After the visit, we were tired from the journey, so we had dinner and went to bed.

Day 2: Temple Exploration & Local Visits

The day began with a typical Gujarati breakfast of thepla with achaar and poha with sev. Normally, I wouldn’t prefer these dishes, but in Gujarat, poha hitss different, and thepla is a must-try.

We returned to the Dwarkadhish Temple because one darshan is never enough. In daylight, the temple looked majestic beside the river, and photos could never do justice to its beauty.

 

The temple is one of the Char Dham pilgrimage sites and is said to be over 2,500 years old, originally built by Vajranabh, the great-grandson of Krishna. With its 7-storey limestone structure supported by 72 pillars, it is truly an architectural wonder.

A temple guide explained the rich history and rituals. The flag atop the temple is changed five times a day. It’s not just a flag; it’s a 52-yard long symbol of devotion offered by devotees. Watching an elderly man, probably over 60, climb the 80m spire with ease to change the flag was awe-inspiring and deeply moving.

Inside the temple, we also visited:

Balaram Temple and the Guru Temple

The spot where Sudama met Krishna Other nearby sites included: 

       By evening, we Rukmini Devi Temple – dedicated to Krishna’s beloved queen, who was separated due to a sage’s curse

·         Nageshwar Mahadev Temple – one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva

 Gopi Talav – where the gopis united with Krishna spiritually

·        Siddheshwar Mahadev Temple – a peaceful, lesser-known Shiva shrine

We then strolled along the beach near the Gomti River. Conch shell vendors, the sound of waves, and the golden sunset made it a perfect evening. We later attended the evening aarti, where the chants, kirtans, and collective devotion felt like pure bliss.

That night, we learned about the Mangal Aarti, the most important arti of the day whete Makhan Mishti is offered to Krishna and that prasad is given to all the devotees present at the time. Without hesitation, we decided to wake up at 3:30 AM to attend the aarti for having his darshan in that form as well as for getting the prasad.

Day 3: Mangal Aarti & Beth Dwarka

At 4 AM, we attended the Mangal Aarti. This was the most divine darshan; Krishna was adorned in simple attire and minimal jewelry, symbolizing purity. Receiving Makhan Mishti as prasad felt like tasting amrut.

After breakfast, we set off to Beth Dwarka, believed to be Krishna’s actual residential place. This site lies across the sea, said to be where the original golden city of Dwarka once stood before being swallowed by the ocean.

The temple here felt like an old palace, with the central Dwarkanath Temple flanked by shrines of Rukmini Devi and Satyabhama. A unique ritual here is that prasadam for Krishna is sent alternately each week by the two queen’s temples, symbolizing their devotion.

Back in Dwarka, we visited Bhadkeshwar Mahadev Temple, located right at the edge of the Arabian Sea. During high tide, waves crash into the temple, creating a divine sight. At sunset, with the cloudy skies and waves around us, our tiredness vanished.

 Since it was Dussehra season, Gujarat was full of dandiya and garbavibes. We joined a local dandiya ground and were amazed by the authenticity of the music and steps, realizing that what we had been doing all these years was nothing compared to the real tradition.

 

Day 4: Somnath

We started early at 6 AM for Somnath, taking the scenic route via Porbandar. Our first stop was the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi, a simple yet powerful historical site. We also visited Sudama Mandir, dedicated to Krishna’s childhood friend, known for its calm surroundings.

The coastal highway that followed was stunning, with the Arabian Sea on one side, the fresh breeze, and crashing waves making the drive refreshing. We reached Somnath by around 12:30 PM.

After lunch and some rest, we began our temple visits:

·         Geeta Mandir – with inscriptions of the Bhagavad Gita verses on its walls this temple premises also has the place where lord balaram leaves this world.

·         Laxminarayan Temple – right beside the geeta mandir peaceful and serene

·         Balka Tirth – believed to be where Krishna was shot by a hunter before leaving the world

·         Triveni Sangam – the confluence of Hiran, Kapila, and Saraswati rivers, considered a sacred purification spot

·         Ban Ganga – where Shiv Lingas are placed along the ocean; tides cover them by evening as though nature itself performs abhishek

 

Finally, we reached the grand Somnath Jyotirlinga Temple. It is one of the twelve Jyotirlingas and the first among them, mentioned in the Rigveda. Despite invasions and destruction over centuries, it remains a symbol of resilience and faith. The present structure was rebuilt in 1951 under Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s leadership. Its location by the sea, with an inscription pointing towards the South Pole, adds to its unique power. The darshan was serene, and the temple’s aura was unmatched. Behind the temple, there’s a viewing area facing the sea. The sound of the waves crashing, the cool breeze, and the open view made the experience even more memorable. There’s also a public walkway along the ocean, perfect for a peaceful evening stroll. We stayed there till sunset, soaking in the view. After returning to our room, we had dinner, went for a short late-night walk, and called it a day

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Day 5: Return to Rajkot

Our return journey began after breakfast, retracing our route back to Rajkot. The drive was long, nearly 6 to 7 hours with breaks, but the coastal breeze and memories of the past days kept our spirits high.

Looking back, this 5-day trip wasn’t just a journey across Gujarat; it was a pilgrimage through history, devotion, and culture. From the divine darshans of Dwarkadhish and Somnath Jyotirlinga to the peaceful coastal drives and vibrant garba nights, the experience was nothing short of magical.

As we reached Rajkot Airport to head back home, our hearts were full of gratitude, peace.