Monday, 05 October 2009 11:42

Sabha Mandapa Dwarka

About:

The Sabha Mandapa in Dwarka, Gujarat is a multi-pillared structure in the ancient temple of Dwarkadish. During your tour to the forts and monuments in Gujarat, this is one attraction which you cannot afford to miss. The temple has been renovated quite a number of times. The intricate work of architecture that is found on the exteriors of the temple dates back to the 16th and 12th century. The Sabha Mandapa, Dwarka leads to a sanctum sanctorum which consists of 60 pillars and has scriptures that are 2500 years old. The entire temple is adorned with fine sculptures and is among the major tourist attractions in Gujarat.

 

The middle part of the stunning Sabha Mandapa houses a small temple of Balramji, which is positioned at a lower level. This temple also houses the idol of Shri Mahaprabhuji. The people behind the construction of the Dwarkadish temple have shown their knowledge and proficiency by placing the deity of elder brother Balramji in the Sabha Mandapa and deity of Mother Devaki facing the Lord Dwarkadhish temple.

A highlight of Dwarkadish temple is its multi-pillared Sabha Mandapa. This beautiful Sabha Mandapa would lead you to a 60 pillared sanctum which has some scriptures that are about 2500 years old. Devotees generally enter the Sabha Mandapa after paying their respect to the deity of Mother Devaki which is erected just opposite the Dwarkadish temple.

 

Location info:

Address:Sabha Mandapa,Dwarka,Gujrat,India
District:Jamnagar
Nearest City: Porbandar
Best time to visit: Oct to March

Climate/Weather:

Summers 23°- 44°C. Winters 10°-36°C

History:

This beautiful Sabha Mandapa would lead you to a 60 pillared sanctum which has some scriptures that are about 2500 years old. Sabha Mandapa, Dwarka, Gujarat, India is a part of the famous Dwarkadhish temple. This Dwarka Sabha Mandapa dates back to the 12th century.

Interesting things to do:

Interesting things to Visit:

Beyt Dwarka Beach:
Beyt Dwarka, is a very picturesque and scenic island which is enthralling enough for the tourist and attracts them to visit it ofen It also comprises of an isolated island called Beyt Dwarka, in Dwarka, with the people coming to visit from the seafront of Okha. A ferry or a small boat takes around half an hour to reach the Beyt Dwarka seafront with the separation between the Okha land portion and the Beyt Dwarka Island being that of around four kilometers.

 

Brahma Kund:
When Lord Krishna unburdened the earth from all the sinners and brought the virtuous people to the path of virtuosity, he came to Dwarka. At Dwarka Indra, Varun, Yama, Kuber, Sun and Moon came to meet him for the accomplishment of their respective works. After that Lord Brahma created a pilgrimage site in his own name which became famous as "Brahma teertha". This pilgrimage is the destroyer of all sins.



Dwarka Lighthouse:
A notable name in the register of Forts and Monuments in Dwarka is Lighthouse in Dwarka. A port was established in the early 19th century at Rupen creek. Lighthouse in Dwarka is quite popular as a tourist destination. It presents an excellent panoramic sight of the setting sun which ushers the nightfall.

Dwarka Peeth:
Dwarka is also the site of Dwaraka Pitha (also known as Sharada Pitha), one of the four cardinal mathas established by Sri Adi Shankaracharya. It is also known as the Kalika Matha, and, as per the tradition initiated by Adi Shankara, is in charge of the Sama Veda.

Dwarkadheesh Temple:
Dwarkanath Temple, Dwarka, India is made of limestone and sand. The exterior of this magnificent temple is supported by 60 columns. A soaring, richly carved spire could also be seen in the exterior part of this temple. A flag is hoisted at the temple tower everyday which welcomes the pilgrims by fluttering in the air beautifully.

The structure of Dwarkanath Temple in Dwarka is quite complicated. This temple has two gateways namely Swarga Dwar and Moksha Dwar. Through the former, pilgrims enter while the later serves as the exit door for the pilgrims.

Nageshwar Temple:
Nageshwar Mandir, Dwarka, India has quite a few interesting legends attached to it. According to Shiv Purana, Supriya, an ardent Shiva devotee, was once attacked by a demon Daaruka while he was in a boat. The demon put him in prison along with several others at Daarukaavana, his capital, where he stayed with his wife Daaruki. Supriya told all prisoners to narrate the mantra ‘Aum Namaha Shivaya’. When Daaruka learnt about this, he ran to kill Supriya. However, at that instant, Lord Shiva appeared as a Jyotirlingam and vanquished Daaruki with the Paasupata Astram.

Rukmini Hrid:
Rukmini Temple, Dwarka, India dates back to the 12th century. There is a story behind this temple. One day, Durvasa Muni, who was easily angered, was invited to dinner by Krishna and his wife, Rukmini. Etiquette dictates that when a person is invited to dinner, the host should refrain from eating until the guest has been satisfied. However, while Durvasa was eating, Rukmini became thirsty. She asked Krishna to help her. Krishna, to bail out his wife, put his foot in the ground. As a result, the Ganges waters streamed forth from the ground while Durvasa was not looking. As luck would have it, while Rukmini was drinking the water, Durvasa turned that way and saw her drinking without seeking his permission. This made him angry. He cursed her to live apart from Lord Krishna. That is the reason why Krishna's temple is in the city and hers is positioned outside the city.

Shree Swaminarayan Temple:
Swaminarayan is the well known mandir across India. Images of various Hindu gods are inscribed here.

Lighthouse:
A port was established in the early 19th century at Rupen creek. A flag mast was posted at the port to lift a lamp. This flag mast served the function of a lighthouse. In the year 1866, a square tower of stone, 18m in height, was built at the present site. An oil wick lamp was subsequently installed on the tower.

Mobile range info:

How to reach?

Nearest Railway Station:There are two trains a day to Jamnagar (4 hr).
Nearest Airport:Ahmedabad(378km) and Jamnagar(145km) airport
Road Transport:The Buses depart from here to cities all over Gujarat. There are regular buses to Veraval (7 hr, for Somnath), Porbandar (3 hr, several daily), Rajkot (6 hr, every hour, 6 am to 8 pm) via Jamnagar (6 hr), and Junagadh (four daily).

Nearest Visiting places:

Okha:
Okha 30 kms from Dwarka, the tip of the western coast of India, Okha developed as major port under the Gaekwad rulers of Baroda. It is a fishing port. There is a govt guest house at Okha facing the sea.

 

Bet Dwarka:
Bet Dwarka Offshore from Okha, the island of Bet Dwarka is associated with Lord Krishna. The main temple here, built in the 19th century, has several shrines and images of Lord Krishna and his 56 consorts. There are several other temples on the island. Excavations have revealed some Harappan period artifacts. There are some nice beaches and coral formations to the north and east of the island. Numerous dharamshalas and guest houses offer accommodations at the island. Another important Krishna temple is the Rachodji temple at Dakore.

Gomati Ghat Temple:
Gomati, the descended Ganges, meets the sea at Chakra-tirtha Ghat. To take bath where the Gomati meets the ocean is said to offer liberation. If you go out the back entrance of the Dwarkadish Temple, you can see the Gomati River. The temple is located almost at the spot where the Gomati meets the ocean.

Samudra Narayana Temple:
Sangam Narayana is an imposing temple at the confluence of the Gomati and the sea. Panchanada Tirtha consists of five sweet-water wells surrounded by seawater.

Chakra Narayana:
At Chakra Narayana, Lord Vishnu was manifested as a stone marked with a chakra on the seashore. The Gomatiji Temple has an image of the Gomati River in it, said to have been brought down from heaven by Vasistha Muni.

Gopi-tallava:
Gopi-tallava is the kund (pond) where Lord Krishna met the gopis when they came to see him at Dwarka. The sacred clay from Gopi-tallava is known as gopi-candana and is used by devotees of Krishna to make the tilak marks on their bodies. It is 20km north of Dwarka on the way to Bet Dwarka.

Nearest Petrol Pump:

Madhav Petrol pump:Dwarka,Gujrat,India

Hotels/Lodge/Accommodation:

Vanda Guest House:Toward the railway station,is about the same.Dwarka,Gujrat,India

 

Uttam Guest House:Simple place by the Dwarkadish Temple,Dwarka,Gujrat,India

Satnam Wadi Guest House:Dwarka,Gujrat,India

Hotel Radhika:little outside of town opposite the bus stand, has double rooms for Rs 725 and A/C rooms for Rs 1050,Dwarka,Gujrat,India

Hotel Guru­prerana:little closer to the center of town, has rooms for Rs 750 and Rs 1150,Dwarka,Gujrat,India

Hotel Gokul:The same area, by the main post office, has rooms with bath for Rs 500,Dwarka,Gujrat,India

Things to carry:

Tips & Suggestions:

Help Line/Phone Number:

Police Station:100
Nearest Hospital:Mithapur Hospital:Jamnagar,Gujarat,India:
Society/Community Phone Number:
Links:www.mohsinshaikh.com

Video

Dynamic View

Dwarkadhish Temple
Dwarka the headquarters of Okhamandal taluka is in the extreme west of the Saurashtra peninsula on the Arabian Sea. It is a station on the Ahmedabad-Okha broad gauge railway line, about 137-km from Jamnagar, 217 km from Rajkot and 378 km from Ahmedabad.A state highway with Jamnagar and Okha also connects it. Nearest airport is Jamnagar. Dwarka lies on 20.22' north latitude and 69.05' east longitude and built on the night bank of Gamut creek. Dwarka was known as the city of Gold. Shree Krishna came here from Mathura along with some Yadav families and establishes his own empire Dwarka. That was the legend but science proved it partially. Scientists researched on that and have found some facts....more
Nageshwara Mahadeva Temple
This place has got its name from the word 'dwar' which denotes door. Amongst the Holy Places in Dwarka, an admired place that draws tourists in huge numbers is the Nageshwar Mandir, Dwarka. This temple is devoted to Lord Shiva and remains abuzz with tourists and pilgrims round the year.At Nageshwar Mandir in Dwarka, the Nageshwar Mahadev Sivalingam faces south while the Gomugam faces east. There is a popular story for this position. One day, Naamdev, an ardent devotee of Lord Shiva, was singing bhajans facing the Lord. Other devotees told him to stand aside and not block the front view of the Lord. To this, Naamdev asked these people to propose one direction in which the Lord is not present, so that he can stand there. The angry devotees carried him out of the temple and left him on the south side....more
Bet Dwarka Beach
A visit to Beyt Dwarka Beach along with an attendant visit to Tourism of Gujarat, offers information at the disposal of the visiting tourist that the Beyt Dwarka Beach is one of the lesser known beaches in the annual calendar of the travelers. Beyt Dwarka Beach in Gujarat, India, is located in the deeply historical and religiously popular town of Dwarka, in Gujarat, India, which is known to be of immense importance for the tourists visiting the site from various parts of the country. Beyt Dwarka Beach, in Gujarat, India, comprises of an isolated island called Beyt Dwarka, in Dwarka, Gujarat, India, with the people coming to visit from the seafront of Okha. A ferry or a small boat takes around half an hour to reach the Beyt Dwarka seafront with the separation between the Okha land portion and the Beyt Dwarka Island being that of around four kilometers....more
Lighthouse Dwarka
Dwarka in Gujarat happens to be an important pilgrimage centre and is famed for the Lord Krishna Temple. The Lighthouse in Dwarka is yet another important landmark in the city and is amongst the treasured historical monuments in Gujarat. A port was built in the 19th century and a flag mast was built at the port to put up a lamp which served the purpose of a lighthouse. Since then the Lighthouse, Dwarka has been figuring in the list of most Gujarat tourist attractions.A square tower was erected at the same site in the year 1866 which was 18 m high. An oil wick lamp was installed on the tower. On November 29th, 1877, Sir Richard Temple, the Governor of Bombay, came to Dwarka by sea route. He visited the lighthouse and ordered modifications.....more
Lakhota Palace
The Lakhota Palace in Jamnagar is one of the major tourist attractions in Gujarat, which you cannot afford to miss while on your tour to the state monuments. It is a small palace located on an island in the midst of the Lakhota Lake. The beautiful Lakhota Palace was once home to the Maharaja of Nawanagar. It was built in the form of a fort with semi-circular bastions, turrets and a pavilion that has guardrooms displaying swords, musket loops and powder flasks.One of the most striking relics of the rich past of regal India, a Tour To Jamnagar is considered to be a definite must have if you are planning a tour itinerary to Gujarat. Almost the entirety of the erstwhile princely state of Jamnagar is still alive, resplendent in the rich glory of the times gone ....more
Museum Of Antiguities
One of the most interesting aspects of planning a Tour to Jamnagar is the rich history and heritage of the land, a history, which can be said to be one of the olde3st histories of all the princely states of Saurasthra. Almost the entirety of the city of Jamnagar is dotted with some of the finest Forts and Monuments Of Jamnagar, which are led by, perhaps, the vast storehouse of antiquities as preserved in the Museum of Antiquities, Jamnagar. The Museum of Antiquities in Jamnagar is considered to a definite must include in your tour itinerary if you are planning a visit to the city of Jamnagar. Definitely noticeable as one of the most attractive tourist attractions in Jamnagar, almost the entirety of the complex of the Museum of Antiquities, Jamnagar has some secret or the other to share with the tourists to her land....more
Marine National Park
Gujarat has the distinction of creating the country first Marine National Park spread over an area of nearly 458 sq.kms. in the Gulf of Kutch, 30 km. from Jamnagar. Here corals create fantasies in stone and are the master builders of the Park. Their limestone fortresses those found near the Pirotan Islands and the rich moist deciduous forests like those found in the dense forests of the Danes. One of the most threatened birds, the great Indian bustard finds a refuge in certain pockets of protected areas. Each one the work of a colony of countless tiny animals come in an amazing variety of shapes and sizes from the convolutedbrain coral corals that look like horns. Here you will find plants that look like animals and animals that look like plants. Turtles, shrimp, sponge eels, sea urchin lurk among the corals and huge schools of fish create a brilliance of colors that are unknown, unseen and unimaginable to us....more
Khijadia Bird Sanctuary
Khijadia Bird Sanctuary is around 10 km north east of Jamnagar Gujarat. It represents the combination of seasonal freshwater shallow lake, inter tidal mudflats creeks saltpans saline land and mangrove scrub.It is the known breeding ground of the Great Crested Grebe. Apart from it Little Grebe Purple Moorhen, Coot Black winged Stilt and Pheasant tailed Jacana are also recorded breeding here. Raptors, including harriers eagles hawks and falcons are also spotted here. The sanctuary also shelters migratory birds such as swallows martins wagtails and various waterfowls. It is considered an important site for ecological research and education....more
Gaga Wildlife Sanctuary
Gaga Wildlife Sanctuary is located along the coast of Gulf of Kutch in Gujarat. It covers an area of around 332.87hectare and has two plots of terrain, which are divided by wastelands and agricultural lands that falls in between them. The natural vegetation of the sanctuary comprises mostly of grassland along with saline shrubs. There are various rare species of plants that can be found here. Some of the common plants seen here are capparis, salvadora, prosopis juliflora, dichantheum, cyperus, suaeda etc.On the coastal areas of Gulf of Kutch enclosed by high tidal zone in the north and pastoral fields and wastelands on the other verge the Gaga Wildlife Sanctuary in Jamnagar is a secure abode for varied vertebrates and invertebrates....more
Gomati River
....more