Dwarka : Atlantis of East

My next destination was Dwarka. This route was parallel to seashore but now the fertile land seemed to disappear. Huge coconut farms were replaced by Wind turbines across around 60-70 kms patch. The road also followed the terrain becoming worse with every kilometer. Just like the Atlantis, here’s a city that lies submerged beneath the sea captivating one and all with its legends and mythology! While the Atlantis is known for its Greek gods, the city of Dwarka is closely associated with several legends of Lord Krishna (one of the incarnations of Lord Vishnu). Taking you back in time to 1500 BC here’s a city that is linked with ancient Hindu texts like the Puranas and the Gita. Dwarka literally feels like the end of the earth. This remote pilgrimage town at the extreme western tip of the Kathiawar peninsula is one of the four most holy Hindu sites Krishna is said to have set up his capital here after fleeing from Mathura.

The city derives its name from word dvar, meaning door . Dwarka is considered to be one of the seven most holiest cities and one of the Chardham along with Badrinath, Puri, Rameshwaram. A great devout centre with much mythological relevance, Dwarka is the epitome of spiritual enlightenment. To the devotee, Dwarka is synonymous with lord Krishna and this sleepy locale has been gained high accolades as the gateway to the much cherished salvation. As per the Holy Scriptures, Dwarka is one of the holy spots that bestow deliverance since it was here that lord Krishna had established his earthly kingdom. A bevy of lovely temples that display flamboyant structural designs and marvelous architecture are the signature destinations in Dwarka. These lovely shrines reveal the city’s feted association with lord Krishna and indeed a visit to these holy spots would be an invigorating experience to all. Legend has it that after the death of Krishna, Dwarka city was submerged with water, devastating the entire Yadava clan. Recent excavations have proved the existence of well-planned cities on the shores of the river Gomati, which testifies this legendary belief.

After the deposition of mobile phones and Camera ,i walked my way through the gates inside the temple.Waiting for the door to open for the devotees ,i learnt about the history of the place from our guide.He described how the complete family of Lord krishna is situated here.Then i went to carry out the official donation of Rs 1151 for the local pundits and was given a receipt and a piece of holy cloth. As i walked out i encountered the group of devotees who were engrossed in playing with colours and enchanting 'Hare rama Hare Krishna".

Having bowled over by the stories and myth surrounding the temple , I started toward Bet Dwarka as  your journey is incomplete without visiting the island. The journey became more tiring as the road standards kept deproving, we went through the compound of Tata Chemicals factory at Mithapur and Hundreds of drying fishes on both sides of the road , suffocating the environment with the stink.. From the local fishing jetty we boarded a boat to crossover to the Bet Dwarka. The sea gulls flying all round the boat to catch easy food thrown by the pilgrims. As we sailed to our destination a Mosque next to the temple came within our vision, informing us of the great Indian religious tolerances. Having completed the circuit of lord Krishna, I headed back to jetty to return to main land and move on to my next destination Nageshwar Temple.

This temple is one of the prominent Shiva shrines in India and this temple represents the removal of evil activities from earth. As one of the 12 Jyotirlingas, this shrine houses a curious myth about its origin. Shiv Purana, narrate the tale about the temple and it says that Shiva started to reside here in the form of Jyothirlinga after killing the demon by name Daruka. The place got its name from the demon Daruka who had appealed to the god before his death that the place be named after him. Hence the name Naagnath . In this temple the Shivalinga faces towards the south and the Gomugam is on the east. Giant statue of Lord Shiva allures the devotees with its aesthetic appeal

Steeped in the richness of a mythological and legendary past, today’s Dwarka poses as a fast emerging city that expands it horizons in all most every field. In Dwarka one can expect the freshness and serenity of a devout location and the sizzles of a typical Indian city but the same mismanagement of the city council, where the growth doesn’t include the basic sanitary facilities and cleanliness.

This trip has surely enlightened my views about how big Hindu religion is and also makes me aware about the credentials/ academics of the religion. But it leaves me with a question that we pray the love affair of Radha and Krishna ,the wife of Lord ,Rukmani temple is around 1.5 kms away from Dwarka main temple and we also have Khap panchayat have opposing  inter caste and love marriages????Confused we are indeed.........

Porbandar

Having heard Gujarat CM Narendera Modi saying "Come to Gujarat ,where life is a Celebration",my employers gave me a chance to explore this part of the country. And as the fate could have it I began my journey where Gandhiji began his,on Oct 02,1869 .Mahatma was born in a three storey blue Haveli here,where his father,uncle and grandfather had all been prime minister to the Jethwa Rajput Ruler

The city get its name from the word "Porai" which is the name of local goddess and "Bandar" means port or harbour,thus Porai Harbour becomes Porbandar.The city has been a prosperous trading center for centuries , conducting much commerce with Arbian and persian Gulf countries as well as East Africa. The trade has been fueled by the typical shrewdness and competence by the gujarati people.

As I walked out of my hotel toward the city center ,a loud sound of broken silencer broke the silence within me,when i looked around i saw the "Chakda Rickshaw",the gujarati version of Jugaad. The word Jugaad literally means work around,which has to be used because of lack of resources and will power,but unlike the other Indian innovation it does have a registration number.The villagers mounted on the Chakda like sheeps and cow, focused on the long and dusty road ahead, trying to reach their destination thinking,"What is this life if full of care ,we have no time to stand and stare"

Knowledge and growth (money) has made the people more competitive and they in turn have eaten into each others open spaces.The houses are made so close that is hard to find somewhere to look where I wasn't infringing someone's privacy ,backyard or bedroom window.The roads have become arena of road rages and ego parades ,so just stick to the walkways and chauffeur driven cabs.Even the soft spoken gujus ,have become more discontent and more wanting due to choices and wealth.

Deep in my thoughts I continued through the dusty street across,there is a structure which marks the greatness of legendary friendship of Jai-Veeru,(kidding people),I m referring to lord Krishna and Sudama.The story comes alive with sight of a beautiful temple in middle of Porbandar,this is the only temple dedicated to Sudama and friendship.The maze on the platform in the courtyard is an intriguing feature here.

As I continue toward the busy market ,there is a sea of people ,the hustle and bustle and most of all noise.Noise everywhere , assaulting my senses ,beeping horns ,moaning cows and shout and screams of people selling their stuffs.Beggars and the said religious men both asking for alms ,with sole purpose of quenching the fire in their stomach,I wonder if stomach is mother of all evils.

As the Sun started to head home ,I went to visit the Bird sanctuary,It was difficult for me to imagine a bird sanctuary amid the city flaunting the coexistence of man and nature.The eco- system is thriving with life with chirping and tweeting of birds in every corner,Humanity has done itself proud my allowing the growth of other species(flora n fauna) here.

With dusk settling in and smoke from the numerous chula (fire stoves) rising,I decided to head toward the sea,to catch the glimpse of colours that the nature paints the sky with.I reached Chowpathy the only place where the ambient decibel levels allows you to hear your inner self.the semi concrete or rather an ill maintained pathway along the rocky beach front is the meeting place of fitness minded sweet eating gujus.Folks come here well dressed to enjoy beautiful sunset ,cool breezes and relax their diligent minds and drink Kawa (masala black tea).

Darkness and the emptiness of the area forced me to start my walk back to the solace of my room in Hotel Natraj and hit the bed.Just a week has gone by and the slowness of the place and loneliness(yes i miss my son and lovely wife) has made me rethink my plans and strategy for life . I thought to write down my feelings to maintain belief in self and hope for a better tomorrow.

It is time to move on to meet my next pit-stop and try to absorb the uniqueness through my lenses.Also learn the changes and diversification my country has to offer.