Places to Visit in Dwarka Somnath and Gir

Dwarka and Somnath are the two cities holding several famous religious destinations but this is not the end of the beauty of the places. Historical sites, wildlife sanctuaries, bird parks, splendid beaches are some other attractions of both the cities as well as the entire state. Gir National Park is considered as one of the India’s oldest sanctuary and is referred as a home to Asiatic Lions.

The sanctuary was established with a motive to protect the Asiatic lions which were decreasing day by day done by the hunting of British rulers as well as some of the Indian rulers who were taking it as a matter of pride.

So, if you are planning to visit Gujarat do not miss out the opportunity to visit this three places Dwarka- it was the ancient kingdom of Lord Krishna and one of the pilgrimages of the Char Dham pilgrimage circuit as well as one of the Sapta Puris, seven most religious cities in the country (Other six ancient religious cities known as Sapta Puris, apart from Dwarka, are Ayodhya, Mathura, Haridwar, Varanasi, Kanchipuram and Ujjain.). There are many religious as well as scenic destinations which charm the tourists to their most.

Places to visit in Dwarka

1. Dwarkadhish Temple

This 5 storied shrine is dedicated to Lord Krishna which is settled on 72 pillars and is also known as Jagat Mandir.  It is not only the spiritualism which attracts tourists towards this shrine, but it is also known for its beautifully and intricately carved designs which leave the tourists spellbound. As per the architecture used to build this temple, it is believed that the shrine was constructed around 2200 years back and one of the most religious places to visit in Dwarka Somnath and Gir in Gujarat.

2. Nageshwar Jyotirlinga

Among 12 powerful Jyotirlingas Nageshwar Jyotirlinga is the first and the most prominent pilgrimage. The divine aura holding an 80-meter tall statue of Lord Shiva is a major attraction to attract tourists towards this pilgrimage. There are a large garden and a pond inside the premise of the temple which adds up more charm to the shrine. The temple is thronged with millions of devotees during the auspicious festival of Maha Shivratri and one of the most crowded places to visit in Dwarka after Dwakadhish temple.

3. Beyt Dwarka

A small and serene island situated along the coastline of Gujarat is known for temples and the sandy beaches. The ambiance of this place is a blend of spiritualism and enthusiasm as it the island is surrounded by many small temples and the view of crystal clear water falling on sandy beaches where one can spot people walking on the beach, children are playing, vendors selling their items and shouting to attract customers.

4. Gopi Talav

The yellowish soil of this Talav holds medicinal values and is known to cure much illness suffered by the tourists and the locals especially related to the skin. The area around the Gopi Talav is surrounded by numerous Ghats where devotees come to take bath before visiting the nearby shrines. The medicinal sand is known as Gopi Chandan which holds a belief of attaining lifelong prosperity and wealth.

Best Time to visit

However, the place is crowded every time but the most preferred time to visit Dwarka is from October to March as one can witness the pleasing and the most comfortable weather during this period.

Places to Visit in Somnath

The origin of this place is based on a belief that Lord Krishna ended up his Leela at this place only and thereafter the temple was constructed.

1. Somnath Temple

Somnath is one of the 12 Jyotirlingas settled in India and is also the confluence point of the three holy rivers Kapila, Hiran, and Saraswati. The temple is beautifully designed in Chalukya style of architecture. The temple is crowded with numerous devotees on the occasion of Shivratri to participate in the rituals and festivities. Not so far from Somnath Vallabh Ghat is a must visit place near Somnath temple from where you experience the eye treating view of the sunset. This is one of the most visited places when you plan for the  Places to Visit in Dwarka Somnath and Gir area.

2. Bhalka Teerth

Located at a distance of 5 km from Somnath, BhalkaTirth is a sacred place where Lord Krishna was shot with an arrow by a hunter while he was resting in the jungle. Lord Krishna forgave the hunter and in the remembrance of this incident, the hunter marked this place as Lord Krishna’s resting place. At the same place the temple was constructed and you can spot an ancient Peepal tree inside the premise of the temple.

3. Somnath Beach

Somnath is not a place known for spiritualism only there are several beaches which make Somnath a sightseeing place also. Somnath beach is located near to the port town of Veraval. Somnath Temple, BhalkaTeerth, Sasan Gir, AhilyaTirth are some other major attractions of the Somnath Beach. Nature lovers and photogenic people must not miss the chance to visit the place if you are on Gujarat excursion.

4. Chorwad Beach

It is believed that there used to be a royal place of the Nawab of Junagadh at the place of the beach. However, the beach is not safe now and swimming is not a good option but the cleanliness of the water and the cool breeze blowing from the ocean makes it an ideal place for swimming. The place got its name by an interesting fact which tells that there was a time when the place was frequented by pirates and people most often visit this place when they plan for places to visit in Dwarka Somnath etc.

Best Time to Visit

Winter is the most ideal time when you plan for places to visit in Dwarka Somnath excursions. The weather is quite pleasing at this time which will make your journey less tiring and more enjoyable.

Gir National Park

A home to Asiatic Lions situated in western India. After Africa, the Asiatic lions are found in Gir National Park only which is surrounded by dense forests. The national park is spread over a large area (covers almost 1412 sq. km.) so you need to give much time to visit this place. The park holds ample flora and fauna especially the Asiatic Lions which make this place diverse from other places in Gujarat.  Almost half of the area is covered with Teak forest and makes it a habitat of several animals. It is also a habitat of around 300 species of birds including serpent eagle, vultures etc. and so it is considered as one of the most splendid bird sanctuaries in India. There are several rules and regulations made by the authority of the Gir National Park which includes you are not allowed to feed, tease or rouse any of the wildlife, smoking is strictly prohibited as it may result in forest fires, do not carry any hunting weapons with you, please maintain the decency and the cleanliness into the environment. None can afford to miss visiting this place if you have planned your vacations for the places to visit in Dwarka Somnath.

Plan accordingly for the Dwarka Somnath trip with Gir National park to avoid the hustle and bustle of the crowds.

Image credit- Canva