Right from 400 B.C. till 1965 A.D. – Dwarka has witnessed major events that formed the history of its existence. Learn about these events and how they influenced the making of a historic place of pilgrimage.
Timeline of Dwarka
YEAR | EVENTS |
400 B.C. | Vajranabha constructed an umbrella type monument in the memory of his forefather in the East of Harimandir, which remains from merging into the sea. |
100 B.C. | According to the Brahmi Script, the 1st floor of Harimandir, (less than 1/3 of today’s Ladva Mandir),it is believed that the renovation of this portion was done during this period. |
200 A.D. | Mahakshatriya Rudradama defeated Dwaraka’s king Vasudev 2nd. After his death his wife Queen Dheeradevi called up his religious brother Pulumavi from python to get help, that time Rudradama compromised with them and married his daughter to king Pulumavi and accepted Vaishnav religion. According to this historical story, it is understood that worshiping Krishna was popular at Dwarka. And due to this Vajranabha had constructed a Chhattri (an umbrella type monument) and placed Krishna’s idol there. |
800 A.D.* | Shreemad Adyaguru Shankaracharya renovated the Dwarkadhish temple and established the shrine of Adhyashakti on the fourth floor.*Jagadguru Adya Shankaracharya, according to evidences of Indian mythology and history, dates back to 400 B.C. An inscription on a tamprapatra (an inscription on a copper – plaque) found during Gaikwad’s rule also testifies it. |
885 A.D. | Shree Nrushinhaashrma (Who defected the Brihaspatguru in the debut of scriptures at Patan) The head of the Shreemad Jagatguru Shankaracharya pith renovated the temple. |
From 900 to 950 A.D. | According to Sankaliya in the 10th century there was a temple of Krishna . |
1120 A.D. | Minaldevi came to Dwarka and renovated the temple. |
1156 A.D. | There was a rumor that Bhakta Bodana (Worshiper) had taken the idol. At that time six males had gone for investigation. Odhavajee and Raghavajee, Son of Ramajeebhai, were among them who belonged to a mean family. Then there is a question that when Udaipur ‘s Rana came to Dwarka, which Idol was there. So Gugalis thought that there is a false miracle spread to stop the Hindus from changing the religion. |
1162 A.D. | The king of Udaipur, Rana Bhimsinhaji Offered 7000 veegha land to Gugali Pujari on Sunday, Kartak Vad 13 Samvat 1218 at the bank of river Gomati. (According to the documents of Brahmin Family). It is assumed that they would have renovated the temple. |
1241 A.D. | When Mohammad shah attacked Dwarka and broke the temple, Five Brahmin males fought with them and lost their lives and become martyrs. Their names were Virajee Thakar, Nathu Thakar, Karasan Thakar, Valjee Thakar and Devasee Thakar. Their shrines are near to the temple. Muslims have changed the place in “Panch Peer” |
1250 A.D. | Gurjar kavi Someshwara arranged a show of his play “Ullagharau” in front of Shree Dwarkadeesh and offered him. |
1345 A.D. | There was a fight among Abotiya and Meen family about Dhwajaji (flag) of the temple at Vasudevajee’s deli and Chatrabhuja Narbheram lost his life. Frequent fights occurred among them over sharing of the temple’s income. |
1504 A.D. | In 1560, Vikram era Shree Vallabhacharayajee established the idol of Dwarkadheesh at Ladva village, which was worshiped by Rukamini. At that time the idol was supposed to be hidden in the step well called Savitri Vav to be protected from the Muslim aggression. So when he saw the temple without the idol he kept it there. It was there up to 1551. During the same period Turk Aziz attacked Dwarka, the idol was taken to bet (the island). |
1557 A.D. | In Vikram Era 1613, Shree Vithalnathjee settled the disputes between Aboti & Gugali Brahmins by writing the copper script about their proportion in income from the temple. |
1559 A.D. | In Vikram era 1616, Shankaracharya Shree Anirudhashrma had made the idol at Dungarpur and established them at another place in the same campus and renovated the temple. Meanwhile poet Isar Barot presented his volume “Hariras to Dwarkadhish (in 1540). |
1730 A.D. | On 1786, the day of Akshay Tritiya in Vikram era on Thursday Shree Prakashanandjee had convinced Lakha Thakar to do yagya and renovated the temple. In addition to this Vagher king decreased the tax by ½ from Brahmins. |
1861 A.D. | Maharaja Khanderao renovated the temple and the Britishers repaired the summit of temple, which was broken during the fight with Vagher. |
1903 A.D. | Maharaja Gaekwad arranged to keep the golden pitcher on the summit of temple & Shankaracharya renovated the temple in 1958. |
1960 A.D. | Since 1960, the Indian Government takes care of it and renovates it gradually. |
1965 A.D. | The Pakistan Navy attacked to destroy the temples but failed to do so. |