Towards Somnath Mahadev

Next day on the day of Diwali we called the same Driver in the morning and went on Tour towards Somnath Temple which is approx 200 kms from Dwarka. In the way, Driver first took us to Harshada Mata Mandir which was 300-350 stairs above on a Hill. We didn’t go up but prayed at temple at the base.

Mul Dwarka (Bheed bhanjan Mahadev)

Then he took us at the place called Mul (Basic) Dwarka. He informed that before today’s Dwarkadhish Temple Lord Krishna actually stayed at Mul Dwarka and Later shifted to Dwarka nagari. This too was a nice place. There also was Siddheshwar Mahadev temple opposite to Dwarkadhish temple and Bheedbhanjan Mahadev temple.

Mul Dwarkadhish

Then we headed towards Porbandar which is on the way towards Somnath. It is birth place of Mahatma Gandhiji. The site is very nicely preserved and maintained under Archeological Survey of India. The entire description of Mahatma’s home was written in detail at every place. It created great vibrations inside me after I saw the exact place where Gandhiji was born, the place where he read books, where he rested, etc. The walls in the ground floor had many prayers and quotes of Gandhiji written. There also was museum of the things that were used by Gandhiji himself and a library.

Gandhiji's Birth Place

Gandhiji's Home

We then reached Somnath after crossing through Mangrol (coconut hub of Gujarat) and Chorwad (birth place of Dhirubhai Ambani - Reliance) where we had booked rooms in advance. After shifting our luggage we freshened ourselves up and then went to Somnath Mahadev Jyotirlinga without wasting anytime as we were near to the “Light & Sound show time” at 7 pm. It described the complete history of the first Jyotirlinga (out of twelve) which was breath taking. We then had our dinner and returned to the Hotel.

Jai Somnath Mahadev

Sunrise near Somnath Temple

Next day I woke up as usual for my favourite Sunrise moment right opposite to Somnath Mahadev Mandir. The photos itself describes the pleasure of the environment. The beach there was just awesome but the Security people didn’t allow me to go near the flow of water. This is because the sea at Somnath area is very dangerous and there are very fast and high tides.

Later we went to Bhalka Tirth, 8-9 kms from Somnath Temple, in a rickshaw which is the place where Lord Krishna was hit by an arrow of a Pardhi of Bheel caste. Near to Bhalka Tirth, there is a Shiv linga in the sea which is considered as Holy Shiv linga and has very nice view. People visit there to pray Lord Shiva. Also, it is only beach where you won’t be stopped by Security guys to have our feet inside water. But it is advisable not to go much deep inside the water. Near the Shiv linga on road, there also were Ship making places which was very nice to see.

Shiv linga near Bhalka Teerth

Ship making process

Later at 4 pm, we went for local tour for different places like Triveni Sangam, Sharda Peeth which has silent Cave of Jagadguru Adi Shankaracharya, Dehotsarg (where Lord Krishna left the body after hit by an arrow at Bhalkateerth) Kamnath Mahadev temple, Geeta mandir, Baldevji Mandir, Mahaprabhuji ki baithak and Surya mandir (Sun temple).

Silent cave of Adi Shankaracharya inside Sharda Peeth

Sharda Peeth

Mahaprabhuji's Baithak near Dehotsarg

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:) Thank you all and enjoy your Journey :)

First view of Dwarka

My amazing Diwali tour started with journey from Ahmedabad to Dwarka. I went to Dwarka in sleeping coach bus. After 8 hours of night journey. I reached there in the morning. In the morning I woke up very early due to cold atmosphere. There was severe foggy atmosphere at 5 am. I enjoyed watching fog and Dwarka arrived after the sunshine. I enjoyed the first glimpse to Dwarkadhish Mandir and then reached at Dwarka.

View from Terrace

I with my family then stayed in Kokila Dhiraj Dham where we had booked a room in advance as it was Diwali time. The panoramic view from the terrace was an awesome experience. The room was also very nicely furnished and rent was just Rs. 500.

Dwarkadhish Mandir

Then we couldn’t hold ourselves from visiting Dwarkadhish Temple. There was lot of security before entering temple the inner vibrations were just amazing. We prayed to Lord Krishna and then visited Adi Shankaracharya Math just behind the Dwarkadhish temple. I had a devoted touch and bowed down to four Vedas by Jagadguru Adi Shankaracharya and had a meditation for 15-20 mins.

Then after visiting entire temple we went down towards Gomti Ghat and took some "Charanamruta" of the holy Gomti river. Then we had lunch at Swaminarayan Temple which was amazing too.

After lunch we visited Bet Dwarka in a rented Indica. The driver was a very good gentleman with a good knowledge of places. On the way to Bet Dwarka, we visited Nageshwar Jyotirlinga where there was a very huge Idol of Lord Shiva visible from long distance. There was amazing Lotus Lake behind the Nageshwar Temple.

Nageshwar Jyotirlinga

Nageshwar Jyotirlinga

We then finally reached Bet Dwarka island after travelling 5 km path through sea by a big local Cruise. We then went to Dandi Hanuman in a traditional Chakda Rickshaw to have an unique experience. The long 5 km drive in Chakda was somewhat difficult but we enjoyed the ride due to nice sceneries around.

We then prayed Hanumanji and returned to Shri Krishna’s Residence temple in the Bet Island right before the Aarti time. The temple had guide who informed us that the Dwarkadhish temple was used as office (in today’s language) and he stayed at Bet Dwarka. Sudama visited there with rice and Shri Krishna ate that rice at this place. So donating rice had a special importance here. Then I ran to watch Sunset at the place where the Cruise left us but it was too late and I missed Sunset as the Aarti is always done during the sunset time. Then we crossed the sea again in the cockroach contained Cruise and returned to Kokila Dhiraj Dham.

Dandi Hanuman

Next day morning, I woke up at 5:30 am to catch Sunrise which I love the most. I went walking for 3-4 kms till I reached the Bay of the Sea near the Lighthouse - "Diva Dandi". It was like heaven for me with complete silence. The only sound in my ears was of Tides and breeze. I meditated till Sunrise and then it was beginning of the sun appearance. I started capturing different photos and enjoyed the reflections of Sun on the sea water which appeared like Golden layer above the ocean. Crossing the Lighthouse, I went on the back side later when the entry gate of Lighthouse area was opened. It was better view that I previously had. I enjoyed the naturally generated view of Cave, a small Ganpati temple and stayed there for about 30-40 mins and retur ned to the Hotel.

Dwarka Light house

Sunrise from Light house

Natural Cave behind Light House

Later, we went for local tour in a rickshaw for different places which were Samudra Narayana Mandir (My favourite), Gayatri Shaktipeeth, Mahaprabhuji Baithak near Dwarkadhish Temple. Besides Samudra Narayana mandir the holy Gomti river meets the Sea which is called Sangam.





Then in the evening we went to famous Sunset point of Dwarka 5-6 km from the Hotel. Nearly there was Bhadkeshwar Mahadev temple which was on a Big rock in the middle of the sea. Local people informed that path to the temple gets often covered by sea water monsoons’ Bharti. We enjoyed sunset views behind mandir along with Crabs residing on the Rocks. So it is also required to be careful to be away from the Crabs. We enjoyed the Shiva Aarti and returned to Hotel.

Bhadkeshwar Mahadev

Behind Bhadkeshwar Mahadev Mandir

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