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JANMASHTAMI
AT DWARKA
Dwarka,
the city of gold. Dwarka, the abode of Shri Krishna. This is how devotees
think of the city where Lord Krishna settled over 5000 years ago after
leaving Mathura forever, and where he reigned for 100 years. For pilgrims
Dwarka’s, presiding deity remains Shri Krishna, and they flock there in
thousands from all parts of India and abroad. The temple towering over
the surrounding buildings was built 1400 years ago. It has several floors
and is built of sandstone. The interior is simple while the exterior is
covered with elaborate carvings.
Janmashtami,
the birthday of Shri Krishna, is celebrated with great splendour. Rows
of lights are lit everywhere, kirtans and bhajans are sung, sermons are
delivered and Krishna is worshipped in his infant form. Thousands of people
go to Dwarka to visit the temple and participate in the fair. After visiting
the main temple, devotees go to Shankhoddhar Beyt. There are some other
important temples, both old and new. Among these is the temple of Shank-Narayan,
dedicated to the Matsyavatar, the incarnation of Vishnu as a fish. This
was constructed over 200 years ago.
Access
Dwarka can be reached by train
on the Viramagam-Okha.broad gauge line. It is 132 km, from Jamnagar, 234
km from Rajkot, and only 450 Km from Ahmedabad. A state highway also links
the city with the main part of Saurashtra.
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