History
The world famous ancient town of Dwarka hardly needs any introduction. Located on the confluence of Gomati River and the Gulf of Kutchh between 22’ & 22.28’ N latitude and 68.59’ E longitude, Dwarka is Lord Krishna’s town. The original temple of lord Krishna is believed to be constructed by Vajranabhji, the great grand son of Lord Krishna.
The existing temple is a 15th / 16th century structure constructed in Chalukya style in 27 m x 21 m area. Its tallest peak is 51.8 m high, its east-west length is 29 m and north-south width is 23m. It is said that Dwarka’s pilgrim starts receiving fruits of Ashwamedh Yajna from the moment he/she commences his/her journey towards Dwarka.
Dwarka Mandir Vyavasthapan Samiti has taken initiatives to upgrade the existing amenities, facilities and infrastructure so that more tourists, pilgrims and lovers of ancient culture frequent the place. The services of the Centre for Environmental Planning and Technology (CEPT) have been requisitioned for the development of Dwarka and surrounding places.
Krishna Ghat on Gomati river
BEFORE RENOVATION
AFTER RENOVATION
Dwarka Mandir Vyavasthapan Samiti with the help of Reliance Group and The Government of Gujarat has renovated Gomati Ghat at an estimated cost of Rs. 1.10 Crore. Pilgrims of Dwarka invariably visit these places. The work included fixing of granite and railings on 16 different Ghats on the bank of Gomati river and Chhappan Sidi (56 steps leading to the Dwarkadheesh Temple). The Hon’ble Chief Minister of the Gujarat State Narendra Modi had laid the foundation stone for the same on 23 December 2001. M/s Bridge and Roof, a government of India Enterprise was awarded contract to carry out this work which was completed very fast.Bath in Gomati’s water gives fruits of bath in several other pilgrim places. The whole ghat was lastly renovated with fixing Chobari stones brought from Rajula during Gaikwadi rule. Stones on the ghat were broken and had become uneven causing discomforts to the pilgrims.
The renovation carried out by the Reliance and the Dwarka Mandir Vyavasthapan Samiti has once again made the place worthy of visit and holy bath. Each ghat on the bank of Gomati bears special name as follows:
- Sangam Ghat
- Ram Ghat
- Durvasha Ghat
- Narayanbali Ghat
- Narsinh Ghat
- Hanuman Ghat
- Satyanarayan Ghat
- Gao Ghat
- Govind Ghat
- Rushi Ghat
- Mira Ghat
- Sati Ghat
- Ganga – Parvati Ghat
- Surya Ghat
- Gomati Ghat
- Krishna Ghat
Dwarka, which was once the capital of Lord Krishna’s empire, has a special importance as one of the major Hindu pilgrim places not because it is one amongst the four most important pilgrim places, but also because it is one of India’s seven oldest towns or Saptapuris.