Dwarka to Somnath: A Sacred Odyssey

Overview

JAMNAGAR
On an island in the center of the lake stands the circular Lakhota tower, built for drought relief on orders from Jam Ranmalji after the failed monsoons in 1834,1839 and 1846 made it difficult for the people of the city to find food and resources. Originally designed as a fort such that soldiers posted around it could fend off an invading enemy army with the lake acting as a moat, the tower known as Lakhota Palace now houses the Lakhota Museum.The collection includes artifacts spanning from 9th to 18th century, pottery from medieval villages nearby and the skeleton of a whale. The very first thing you see on entry, however,
before the historical and archaeological information, is the guardroom with muskets, swords and powder flasks, reminding you of the structure’s original purpose and proving the martial readiness of the state at the time. The walls of the museum are also covered in frescoes depicting various battles fought by the Jadeja Rajputs. The fort is connected to the banks by two causeways, but is only accessible from the north side. The museum hours are from 10:30am-2pm and 2:30pm-5:30pm. Entry fees for the Indians is Rs.2/- and for Foreigners is Rs.50/-.

DWARKA
Dwarka is an ancient city in the northwestern Indian state of Gujarat. It’s known as a Hindu pilgrimage site. The ancient Dwarkadhish Temple has an elaborately tiered main shrine, a carved entrance and a black-marble idol of Lord Krishna. Dwarka Beach and nearby Dwarka Lighthouse offer views of the Arabian Sea. Southeast, Gaga Wildlife Sanctuary protects migratory birds and endangered species like the Indian wolf.

PORBANDAR
Kirti Mandir, also acclaimed as ‘Temple of Fame’, is a memorial temple built in honour of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi in his birthplace in the city of Porbandar, Gujarat. The foundation stone of Kirti Mandir is said be laid in 1947 to turn the dream and imagination of Shri Nanji Kalidas Mehta into reality. It is believed that the temple rises to a height of 79 feet as a symbol of Gandhi’s 79 long years of life on earth. The architectural elements of six different religions edifices like Hindu, Jain, Parsi temples, churches and mosques are clubbed into this sole building. It is a vast ‘E’ shaped structure comprising of domes,terraces, balconies and a shikara. Kirti Mandir forms an important landmark in Porbandar that is frequented by both domestic and international tourists in huge numbers. The place of Gandhiji’s birth is marked with ‘Swastika’ for easy identification. Also, the site of his birth has been converted into a museum that displays old photographs, few possessions, oil paintings and books written by him.

SOMNATH
The Somnath temple located in Prabhas Patan near Junagadh in Saurashtra on the
western coast of Gujarat, India is believed to be the first among the twelve jyotirlinga shrines of Shiva. It is an important pilgrimage and tourist spot of Gujarat. Reconstructed several times in the past after repeated destruction by several Muslim invaders and rulers. According to tradition, the Shivalinga in Somnath is one of the 12 jyotirlingas in India, where Shiva is believed to have appeared as a fiery column of light. The jyotirlingas are taken as the
supreme, undivided reality out of which Shiva partly appears.Each of the 12 jyotirlinga sites take the name of a different manifestation of Shiva. At all these sites, the primary image is a lingam representing the beginning-less and endless stambha (pillar), symbolizing the infinite nature of Shiva.