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Thiru Dwaraka
(Dwaraka)
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History -
Thiru Dwaraka (Dwaraka) |
Dwarka
is considered to be one of the 7 Mukti Stala pilgrimage centers
of India and is located on the west coast of India in Gujarat on
the extreme western tip of the Kathiawar peninsula. Nearby is Somnath,
another prime pilgrimage centre of India. Aadhi Sankara established
one of his four Peethams at Dwarka, the other three being Sringeri,
Puri and Joshi Mutt.
Legend has it that Krishna built the city of Dwarka as his capital
with the aid of Viswakarma, after moving from Mathura. The Dwarkadeesh
temple has a five storeyed tower supported by 60 columns. This temple
is known as Jagat Mandir and is believed to have been built by Sambha
the grandson of Krishna. Visitors enter through the Swarga Dwar
and exit through the Moksha Dwar here.
The Rukmini temple here is believed to be 1600 years old. The Gomati
Sangamam where the river Gomti reaches the sea is located close
by. A little north of Dwarka, one can ferry across to Bet - Dwarka
island where Kuchela is supposed to have lived and where Krishna
killed the demon Shankhasura. There are shrines to Rukmini, Trivikrama,
Devaki, Jambavati, Lakshmi Narayan and other deities here. There
is another temple to Rukmini, believed to be the site of Krishna's
marriage with her.
Archeological excavations have revealed five earlier cities here.
Thaayaar - Kalyaana Naachiyaar.
Theertham - Gomathi river.
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Mangalasasanam: |
Perialwar - 333,398,
399, 415, 472
Aandaal - 507, 541, 594, 625
Thirumangaialwar - 1504, 1524
Thirumazhisaialwar - 2452
Nammaalvar - 3144.
Total of 13 Paasurams.
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Special Information |
Dieties |
Kalyana Narayanan, Kalyana Nachiyar, 8 Maharishis |
Vimanam |
Hemakooda Vimanam |
Theerthangal |
Gomathi Theertham |
Mangalasasanam |
Perialwar, Aandaal, Thirumangaialwar, Thirumazhisaialwar, Nammaalvar
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Prathyaksham |
Droupadi |
Direction and Posture |
West-faced and Standing Posture |
Travel Base |
Rajkot (via Ahmedabad) |
Accessibility |
Thirudwarakai is situated on the Bombay Ahmedabad
route.. |
Features |
This is Mukthi Sthal. This Divya Desam has five divisions. They
are:
Gomathi Dwaraka
Baed Dwaraka
Kusela Pattinam (alias) Porbander
Takore Dwaraka
Nath Dwaraka.
The first one is very important and very popular.
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Moolavar |
The Moolavar of this Dwaraka divyadesam is Kalyana Narayanan.
He is also called with the names as Dwarakadesam and Dwarakanathji.
Prathyaksham for Droupadhi, Kuchelar, Sathyabama, Rukmani, Arjunar
etc. Moolavar in Nindra Thirukkolam facing his thirumugham towards
west direction.
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How to Get There. |
This Divyadesam is found on Bombay-Oka port
rail line. To reach this Temple, one has to travel via Ahmedabad,
Rajkot and Jam Nagar. Dwaraka railway station is 20 kms away from
Oka port and from there we can reach the Temple. |
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