Bet Dwarka Darshan, Gujarat

• published: 06 Dec 2014
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Bet Dwarka is in Gujarat State, India popularly known as the ‘kingdom of Lord Krishna’ is a small island situated about 30 km away from Dwarka. It is a wonderful place for a trip with friends and family as well as for a pilgrimage. The ride to Bet Dwarka from Dwarka is fun-filled and full of excitement as one can reach the place either through motor boat or rowing boat. The journey by boat is enriching and filled with scenic beauty. Take your camera along with you to catch a glimpse of rare and beautiful birds while sailing through the sea. The main attraction at Bet Dwarka is the magnificent Dwarkadish Temple that stands tall, giving us the proof of the Vedic era when Krishna with his wife Rukamani spent endless hours of their togetherness in the premises of this temple. It is believed that Lord Krishna stayed at Bet Dwarka with his wife to save himself from scorching heat. The temple has a huge statue of the Lord platted in gold. The entire atmosphere is full of spirituality and piousness during the morning and the evening aarti (prayers). One can completely feel at peace with the serenity that surrounds the temple and its environment. The best time to visit Bet Dwarka is from July to March when the weather and climate in Dwarka remains very pleasant. Krishna & Sudama's friendship is known to all. Sudama was a poor Brahmin man. He didn't even have enough money to feed his children. Once with tearful eyes, his wife told him, "It doesn't matter if we are hungry but we should at least be able to feed the children enough." On hearing this Sudama felt very hurt & said, "What can be done? We can't ask for favors from anybody." Sudama's wife replied, "You talk of Krishna so often. You have been saying that you have a deep bond of friendship with him. He is the King of Dwarka, so why don't you go to him? There won't be any need to ask for anything there." Sudama found wisdom in the words of his wife. He decided to go to Dwarka & said, "I'll definitely go to Krishna but what should I take along for his children?" Sudama's wife borrowed some rice snacks from their neighbor. She bound the food in a piece of torn cloth & Sudama took the bundle & left for Dwarka. On seeing Dwarka, Sudama was amazed. The entire town was built with gold & the people were very well-off. He asked for directions for Krishna's palace & finally reached there. On seeing Sudama who looked like a hermit, the palace guards asked, "Why have you come here?" Sudama answered, "I want to meet Krishna who is my friend. Go & tell him that Sudama has come to meet you." The guard smirked on seeing Sudama's attire. However, he hesitantly went & informed Krishna of Sudama's arrival. On hearing Sudama's name, Krishna immediately stood up & ran to meet him. Everyone looked on in wonder upon seeing such a great King running bare-footed to meet his poor friend. Krishna took Sudama into the palace. They recalled their childhood days at the Sandipani's school (Gurukula). Seeing Krishna's wealth, Sudama felt ashamed of the rice snacks that he had brought & tried to hide the bundle but Krishna snatched it from him. While enjoying the snack Krishna said, "I have never tasted such sweetness in anything else." Later, they sat to have their meal which was served in gold plates. Sudama felt sad as he remembered his hungry children at home. He stayed at the palace for two days but he couldn't prepare himself to ask Krishna for any favors. On the third day, he got ready to go back home. Krishna embraced Sudama & escorted him out as he bid him farewell. On the way back, Sudama wondered, "What shall I say when my wife asks me what I've brought back?" As Sudama approached home, he could not find his hut! Instead, his wife came out from a magnificent palace & dressed in elegant clothes. She told Sudama, "Look at Krishna's might; we have been rid of our poverty. Krishna has ended all our miseries." Sudama recollected Krishna's pure love & his eyes welled up with tears of joy.