If you're interested in spirituality, mysticism, or Hindu mythology, Dwarka, Gujarat, should be on your list of places to visit. The Indian government has devised a scheme known as HRIDAY (Heritage Development and Augmentation Yojana) for twelve archaeologically significant cities in India, and Dwarka is one of the country's seven ancient holy cities (sapt puris).
The Rukmini Devi Mandir, Gomti Ghat, and other major temples can be found in Dwarka. The Dwarka Math (Monastery), one of the four religious sites, is housed in the famed Dwarkadhish Mandir (i.e. char dham). Close to the town is Bet Dwarka, an island where Lord Krishna's family is claimed to have previously resided. On the beach, there is also a lighthouse.
Artifacts from a buried city near the Gulf of Cambay were unearthed in 2001, according to reports. The treasure quest is being transformed into a tourist attraction, despite the fact that these claims have been contested. The government intends to build scuba diving facilities to allow visitors to observe the underwater metropolis.

History 

Dwarka is an indication of how legend may be influenced by the history of a place. The Hindu classic Mahabharata tells how the peace-loving Lord Krishna avoided conflict with Demon King Jarasangh by relocating his capital to Dvarika, a city designed particularly for this reason by Vishwakarma, the Hindu god of design. He requested that the sea deity release 12 yojanas, or 96 square kilometres of land, for this cause. Dvar denotes gate in Sanskrit, and Dvarika refers to a city administered by God himself, as if it were a portal to paradise.
Artifacts found at Bet Dwarka date back to the Harrapan era. It is mentioned by Greek writers and is thought to have been a seaside town that was drowned. In the ninth century, when the philosopher Shankar set out to halt the Vedic religion's demise, he picked Dwarka as one of the four monasteries (i.e. char dham) because of its legendary significance. During the Muslim time (1200-1800 AD), it was often invaded and temples pillaged.

Culture

Dwaraka's culture centres around shrines, devotion, and religious festivities, as it is a religious city in the nation. Lord Krishna's old kingdom commemorates Janmashtami with great zeal. Young men rejoice by jumping over each other's shoulders to form a triangle. They want to reach and smash a pot of butter that is suspended from a rope at a spectacular height. The enterprise's success is determined by how long the folks at the bottom can bear the pressure of those above them. Tournaments are held in which numerous teams compete, adding to the festival's young energy. During this hour, the entire city lights up.
Dwarka is thought to be the birthplace of the Gujarati Garba dance, which was influenced by Lord Krishna's adolescent Raas Leela with cowherding females.

Cuisine 

In Dwarka, there aren't many opulent eateries. The restaurants that it houses, on the other hand, serve superb Gujarati, North Indian, and Chinese cuisine. A traditional Gujarati thali is a must-try while you're here. This delectable plate includes Roti, Dal or Kadhi, Rice, and Vegetable Curries. You can also sample the well-known Khichdi. Aside from these, popular Gujarati snacks like Khamman Dhokla, Khakhra, Khandvi, Thepala, and Hahdwoh, as well as the widely available and cooling Lassi, Buttermilk, and Chaas, should be tried.

Things to do at Dwarka

• Go Temple Visiting: This is, without a doubt, one of the most significant things to do in Dwarka, Gujarat. People travel from all over the world to receive Lord Krishna's and the other presiding idols' blessings. Apart from the major Dwarkadheesh temple, Dwarka has a number of minor temples. Rukmini temples, Shiva temple, Venugopalaswamy temple, and Nageshwar Jyotirlinga temple are some of the must-see temples.
• Observe the Age-Old Customs: Tulabhara is an ancient Indian practice in which a person is required to sit on a weighing scale against the items. At the minor temples in Dwarka, you'll notice various weighing scales. A human will be on one end of the weighing scales, while grains will be on the other. They present the grains as a donation to the temple once the mass of the grains equals the weight of the individual.
• Take a Ferry Ride: Visitors to Dwarka frequently also make a stop to the Krishna temple at Bet Dwarka. The temple is about an hour and a half drive from Dwarka, and a boat ride to the temple can be an incredible adventure. This is one of the top things to do in Dwarka because the Krishna temple is flanked by islands.
• Shop for souvenirs: The city is brimming with artists, and there are plenty of mementos and trinkets to take home as part of the vacation tradition. The Chakrashila, a wheel-like stone discovered in the sea, the idol of Dwarkadheesh, and the Gopi Chandan sticks are among the most famous of all the baubles. When used, these sticks are believed to reduce body temperature.
• Enjoy Camel Riding: One of the most popular activities in Dwarka is camel riding along the banks of the Gomti River. It's mesmerising to watch children enjoy themselves on a camel ride while learning about the history of five sweet water wells provided by five different sadhus. The vista of the Ghats on one bank while riding a camel is a fantastic experience.
• Witness the Sunset: When visiting Dwarka, be sure to watch the sunset from the Bhadkeshwar Mahadev Temple. The comprehensive view of the city from this temple may be rather spectacular. One of the best things to do in Dwarka is to watch the sunset and take in the vista of the city from high cliffs.

Places to visit

• Dwarkadhish Temple: The Jagat Mandir, also called Dwarkadhish Temple, is a Chalukya-styled temple consecrated to Lord Krishna. Built of limestone and sand, the five-story main temple is vast and magnificent in its own right. The 2200-year-old architecture is thought to have been created by Vajranabha, who created it on land that Lord Krishna recovered from the sea. The temple features elaborate sculptural details created by the dynasties' forefathers.
• Nageshwar Jyotirlinga Temple: The Dwarka-based Nageshwar Temple is one of India's 12 Jyotirlingas. It is situated on the coastline of Saurashtra, Gujarat, between Gomati Dwarka and Bet Dwarka Island. Those who worship at the Nageshwar Jyotirlinga, as to the Shiva Purana, are free of all poisons, snake bites, and worldly temptations.
• Dwarka Lighthouse: The Dwarka Lighthouse is a 43-meter tower located around 2 kilometres from the city heart of Dwarka. The Dwarka Lighthouse is not only a beautiful place to watch the sunset, but it also has an excellent architectural style. The contemporary light-bulb Dwarka Lighthouse was implanted between 1960 and 1962, replacing an earlier oil-lamp version that was first installed in 1866.
• Dwarka Beach: The Dwarka Beach is a relaxing day out in the seaside holy site of Dwarka, nestled along the Arabian Sea shoreline. The Dwarka shoreline is home to some historic temples dating from the 1100s to the 1200s, as well as spectacular coral reefs. Aside from a line of food vendors, there are also stalls selling colourful shells and pearls.
• Rukhmini Devi Temple: The Rukhmini Devi Temple is around 1.5 kilometres from the Dwarka city centre and tells an old story of separation. Through its mural sculptures and other constructions, this 12th-century relic exemplifies some of the time's architectural marvels.

How to reach?

• By Air: The closest airport is in Jamnagar, which is around 137 kilometres away. Flights from locations such as Mumbai and Ahmedabad link to the airport. Dwarka cab services are provided from the airport.
• By Train: The Ahmedabad – Okha rail route passes through Dwarka, which is a major train depot. The station is served by trains from Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, and Bengaluru.
• By Road: Dwarka is easily accessible by road. Several cities in Gujarat, including Porbandar, Rajkot, Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Amerli, and others, run private and state-run buses to Dwarka on a regular basis.