City of Lord Krishna : DWARKA

DWARKA is a town and municipality of Devbhumi Dwarka district in the state of Gujarat . It is located on the western shore of the Okhamandal Peninsula on the right of the Gomtri river at the mouth of the Gulf of Kuch facing the Arabian sea . 

Dwarka has the Dwarkadhish temple dedicated to Lord Krishna , which is one of the sacred Hindu pilgrimage sites called the Chardham , which were founded by Adi Shankaracharya at the four corners of the country , was established as a monastic centre and it form part of Dwarka temple . Dwarka is also one of the seven-most-ancient  religious cities in India . 

Dwarka is also referred to throughout its history as "Mokshapuri" ,"Dwarkamati" , and "Dwarkavati" . it is mentioned in the ancient prehistoric epic period of the Mahabharata.According to legend ,Krishna settled here after he defeated and killed his uncle Kansa at Mathura . This mythological account of is also said to have reclaimed 12 yojanas or 96 square kilometers (37 sq mi ) of land from the sea to create Dwarka .  

Dwarka was established as the capital in the Saurashtra by the Aryans during the Puranic . The Yadavas , who had migrated from Mathura , established their kingdom here when the city was known as "Kaushathali" . It was during the period that the city underwent rebuilding and was named Dwarka  . A friendly population of natives also promoted Krishna to settle at Dwarka when he decided , after fighting Jarasandha , the king of Madha , to retreat from Mathura . The kingdom , also known as the Yaduvanshi  empire , was established by Uugrasena , father of Kansa then ruler and later Krishna flourished and extended its domain . It is said that Krishna conducted the administration of his kingdom from Dwarka while residing with his family in Bet Dwarka .  

The Dwarka temple was originally built around 2,500 years ago . But was destroyed by Mahumd Begada rulers and subsequently rebuilt in the 16th century . The temple is also the location of Dwarka matha , also called Shradha Matha /Peeth and "Western Peeth " 

As we all know that Krishna's first wife is Rukmini but we dont see the Goddess Rukmini in the temple as it is situated or built separately because of the curse she got from Rushi Durvasa . the story goes like this ; " Krishna and Rukmini will be going to bring Rushi Durvasa to their palace for lunch .While on the way Rukmini will feel thirsty so Krishna using his toe he touches the ground and will quench the thirst of his wife by making her drink the Gangajala . but Rushi Durvasa will get angry by seeing this because he expected that Rukmimi will give him the eater first then she will drink so he cursed her saying that she will always leave alone from her husband Krishna so only the temple is situated separately . "

BET DWARKA : The story behind this temple is " In Sanskrit BET means gift and this is the place where Krishna got or received gift from his friend Sudama . 

UNDERWATER ARCHAEOLOGICAL DISCOVERIES : 

In recent years , underwater archaeological explorations off the coast of Dwarka have led to findings that some believe may be remnants of the ancient city of the Dwarka mentioned in Hindu scriptures . However , these findings are still a subject of debate among the scholars and archaeologists .

THE DWARKA TEMPLE REMAINS AS A SYMBOL OF DEVOTION AND CULTURAL HERITAGE , ATTRACTING NOT ONLY RELIGIOUS PILGRIMS BAT ALL TOURISTS INTERESTED IN INDIA'S ANCIENT HISTORY AND ARCHITECTURAL MARVELS .