DWARAKA - BEYT DWARAKA
VISIT
The 2 nd place that we had set our mind at the start of our Trip was the DWARAKADEESH Temple at Dwaraka . Any visit to Dwaraka is considered incomplete without the mandated visit to Beyt Dwaraka also .
The distance from Somnath to Dwaraka is 240 Kms . The entire stretch is along the Kutch Coastline as outlined in the Map
In fact for the major part of the Car ride , The Arabian Sea is clearly visible on your left side .
After the Darshan at Somnath Temple and other places mentioned in my previous Blog , We had our Special Gujarati Breakfast at The A1 Restaurant , and were on our way to Dwaraka.
We set out at 11.00 am and expected to be at Dwaraka by 3.00 pm .
This entire area which is referred to as Kathiawad locally is almost always covered with Sand .
The highlight of the travel is that it takes you through PORBANDUR , the Birth Place of the Father of the Nation . One feels really proud when you plant your feet on this Soil as an Indian .
We were at Dwaraka at around 2.45 pm itself . We had booked our Rooms at "The Meera" which I must confess was not a wise decision for various obvious reasons.
We preferred to have our Lunch at The Charmeese Hotel and after a wash , got ready to visit the Dwarakadeesh Temple .
The Temple can be seen from quite a distance with the FLAG FLUTTERING atop the Mandir a standout feature . It is probably the longest Flag in the World and is Hoisted 4 times in a day . We were fortunate enough to witness one such change . It would take some Courage and Extreme Devotion to be able to climb on top of the Mast and make the change . Differently Coloured Flags are Hoisted at different times of the day .
The Darshan of the Dwarakadeesh is not complete without the scramble for space among the milling crowd all around . The last 20 Meters or so are a bit more regulated and one can have a good Darshan without being jostled around too much . We spent nearly an hour inside the Temple to take in all that this ancient Temple had to offer . After a make do Dinner we went to bed early as we had to make an early start to visit The Rukmani Devi Temple and Beyt Dwaraka in the Morning.
BEYT IN GUJARATI MEANS GIFT
Beyt Dwaraka is 30 kms from Dwaraka Proper by Road and the last 3 Kms is on a Ferry to the Beyt Dwaraka Island . This 11 Sq Km Island is supposed to have been recieved as a Gift by Lord Krishna and hence the name Beyt Dwaraka . This more than 5000 years old structure functioned as the residence of Lord Krishna and his 4 consorts .
Today the Island is Home to nearly 10000 Residents of which 2000 are Hindus .
We set out from Dwaraka proper at 6.30 AM and after the Morning CHAI , we visited the Rukmani Devi Temple and proceeded towards Beyt Dwaraka via the Tata Chemicals Factory at Mithapur .
The Jetty at Okha had many Ferries waiting but the problem was that there should be a minimum of 100 persons on board . To our surprise and good Fortune a School Bus loaded with students arrived and we were on our way . The cost of the near Half Hour Ride was Rs 20 per Head . The chirping Birds overhead kept us company during the entire stretch and were happy to be fed by the people on Board the Ferry .
A Road Bridge covering the entire 4 kms stretch over the sea is almost at the final stage of completion as only the last span of the near 4 Kms Road Bridge needs to be connected . This Ferry Ride is sure to become a thing of the past very soon .
The Darshan at Beyt Dwaraka was very fulfilling as was the Tuft of Rice that was offered by the Pundit for safe keeping back home . One part was to be placed in the place where you keep your Rice for Consumption in the Kitchen and the other part in the Safety Locker back home .
This was done in the very Ornate Hall where Sudaamaa offered a handful of Puffed Rice to his Dear Friend Lord Krishna .
We were back at The Charmees Hotel for lunch . The last leg of our trip was from Dwaraka to Baroda which was all of 540 Kms away with a near 12 hour drive .
AFTER LUNCH WE HEADED FOR BARODA FOR OUR RETURN FLIGHT NEXT MORNING AT 12.00 NOON WHICH I SHALL COVER IN MY NEXT BLOG.
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