Dwarka Somnath Package From Delhi

Start your morning early with Gujarati breakfast in Jamnagar before starting your journey to Dwarka.

The drive to Dwarka covers roughly 137 Km via NH927D and NH151A, taking approximately 3 hours. It is an easy, scenic drive across Kathiawar’s flat coastal terrain, lined with wind turbines, salt pans, and occasional glimpses of the Arabian Sea.

If you leave Jamnagar by 7:30 am, you would reach Dwarka by 10:30 AM, which would be ideal as you would have a complete day to explore Dwarka.

Check-in into your hotel, drop off your luggage, and refresh. Today's circuit takes you around the outer sacred sites of Dwarka, before bringing you back to the main town for sunset and evening aarti.

Morning to Afternoon: Bet Dwarka & The Outer Shrines

1. Crossing Over to Bet Dwarka Island

Start your circuit by driving 32 km north from Dwarka city to Okha Port. Your destination is Bet Dwarka, an island in the Gulf of Kutch believed in regional tradition to be the actual residential abode of Lord Krishna during his reign.

You can reach the island via the Sudarshan Setu, India’s longest cable-stayed bridge spanning over 2.3 km. If you want a bit of local flavour, park at Okha Jetty and take a 15-minute ride on a wooden passenger ferry across the 3.5 km marine channel(note that this was the traditional way to reach Bhet Dwarka, before Sudarshan Setu was built).

Once on the island, walk through the narrow, bustling market lanes to reach the main Keshavraoji Temple.

• Important note on timing at Bhet Dwarka Temple : The sanctum closes around 12:30 PM for afternoon offerings (bhog), so make this your very first stop.

• Local Tradition: You will notice vendors selling small packets of raw rice (dhaan) outside. Offering rice here commemorates the legendary friendship between Krishna and his childhood friend Sudama.

2. Nageshwar Jyotirlinga

Leaving Bet Dwarka, drive back toward the mainland and follow the signs for Nageshwar. This shrine houses one of the 12 sacred Jyotirlingas dedicated to Lord Shiva (If you wish to explore all the 12 Jyotirlinga across India, you can check out our tour on the link https://www.waytoindia.com/12-jyotirlinga-tour-package). You cannot miss the site from the main road thanks to a massive, 85-foot-tall seated statue of Lord Shiva rising above the complex.

• Sanctum Guidelines : The Linga is located in an underground chamber.

• Dress Protocol for Abhishek : Male devotees who wish to enter the inner enclosure to offer water or milk directly onto the Linga must wear a traditional cotton or silk dhoti. Stitched upper garments, wallets, and leather belts must be left outside the inner railings.

3. Gopi Talav & Rukmini Devi Temple

On your way back into Dwarka town, make two brief stops along the route:

• Gopi Talav: This small, quiet pond is surrounded by yellow soil beds and neem trees. Regional lore connects this spot to the gopis (milkmaids) of Vrindavan. Devotees collect the fine yellow clay from the lake bed, known as Gopi Chandan, to apply as holy marks on their foreheads.

• Rukmini Devi Temple: Sitting about 2 km outside Dwarka's main town, this 12th-century stone temple features detailed outer carvings of elephants and deities. Local tradition explains why Krishna’s chief queen resides in a separate temple away from the main city complex, attributing the isolation to a curse by Sage Durvasa during a mythological chariot ride.

Late Afternoon to Evening: Gomti Ghat & Dwarkadhish Temple

4. Sunset at Gomti Ghat

By 5:00 PM, return to Dwarka city and head straight to Gomti Ghat, where the Gomti River empties into the Arabian Sea.

Walk down the 56 stone steps (known locally as the 56 Bhakhai) descending from the temple’s southern entrance to the water’s edge. These 56 steps signify the 56 crore Yadavas mentioned in ancient texts. As the sun begins to set over the sea, priests conduct quiet evening prayers and aarti along the stepped banks.

5. Evening Darshan at Dwarkadhish Temple (Jagat Mandir)

Climb back up from the riverbank through the Swarga Dwara (Gate to Heaven) to enter the main Dwarkadhish Temple. Built primarily from soft sandstone and supported by 72 carved pillars, this five-storey sanctuary stands as an architectural icon of western India.

Rising 78 meters above the town is the main spire, topped by the Dhwaja (a 52-yard triangular silk flag bearing symbols of the sun and moon). Members of the local Abooti Brahmin family scale the spire to change this flag five times every single day.

• Evening Aarti: Head inside the main assembly hall (sabha mandap) by 6:45 PM to lock in a clear view before the 7:00 PM Sandhya Aarti. As brass bells, drums, and conches resound through the stone halls, the curtains open to reveal the central dark-basalt deity of Lord Krishna (Shyamal Varna) dressed in elaborate evening attire.

• Local Dinner: Exit through the Moksha Dwara (Gate to Liberation) into the old market lanes. Sit down at a local eatery for a proper Kathiawadi thali featuring ringan no orlo (smoky roasted eggplant mash), fresh bajra no rotlo (pearl millet flatbread), white butter, and magas (sweet chickpea flour sweet).

Special Tips

• Electronic Items Ban: Security at Dwarkadhish Temple is extremely strict. Mobile phones, smartwatches, cameras, power banks, and leather belts are prohibited inside. Leave them at your hotel or store them in the free lockers (Amanat Griha) near Moksha Dwara before joining the queue.

• Dress Code Rules: Keep your clothing modest and conservative. Shoulders and knees must be covered. Shorts, three-quarters, sleeveless tops, and short skirts will result in denied entry at both Dwarkadhish and Nageshwar.

• Smart Routing to Bet Dwarka: Drive across the new Sudarshan Setu cable bridge on your way to Bet Dwarka for convenience and speed, but consider taking a quick 10-minute local ferry ride on your return if you want to experience the traditional coastal water approach.

• Managing Queues: Evening aarti draws heavy crowds year-round. Entering the temple complex at least 45 minutes ahead gives you adequate time to clear security checks and find a standing spot near the central hall railing.

• Footwear Handling: Dedicated shoe counters operate outside both Swarga Dwara and Moksha Dwara. Keep your pair at the gate through which you plan to exit, or use the Swarga Dwara counter if you plan to circle back to the river steps.

Dwaraka – Porbandar – Somnath circuit that is covered on day 3 is probably the most interesting of all. It covers Porbandar, which is at a distance of 75km/ where you will visit Kirti Mandir – the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi and Sudama Temple, the only temple in the world that is dedicated to Lord Krishna’s friend, Sudama.

Sudama Mandir, near Dwarka, Gujarat, is dedicated to Sudama, the childhood friend of Lord Krishna. The temple celebrates their legendary bond of friendship, devotion, and humility, and devotees visit to seek blessings for loyalty, love, and spiritual guidance.

Somnath, which is 130 km. away, has many tourist attractions including Bhalka Tirth, Geeta Mandir Chopati, Somnath Temple and Triveni Sangam. The evening aarti and the spectacular light and sound show is the highlight of this tour.

On your way to Rajkot, you will be visiting the fabled Junagadh fort at Junagadh, Jalaram Temple at Virpur and Swaminarayan temple, Navlakha Palace at Gondal. The vintage car museum, which has a sizable collection of old model cars, is another stopover in Gondal before you wind up the day’s trip at Rajkot.

Junagadh Fort, also called Uparkot Fort, in Gujarat, dates back over 1,600 years and is unique for its step-wells, underground tunnels, and Buddhist relics found inside. A rare fact is that the fort remained unconquered for centuries, thanks to its strategic location on a rocky hill, and it also houses inscriptions from the Mauryan period, linking it to Emperor Ashoka’s era.

Swaminarayan Temple, located in Junagadh, Gujarat, is dedicated to Lord Swaminarayan and showcases intricate marble and stone carvings. It is a center of devotion and spirituality, attracting devotees for prayers, rituals, and festivals celebrating Swaminarayan’s teachings.

Navlakha Palace in Gondal, Gujarat, is a magnificent 18th-century palace known for its intricate architecture, ornate balconies, and grand courtyards. Built by the local royal family, it reflects the luxury and heritage of Gondal’s rulers and is open to visitors as a showcase of royal lifestyle and craftsmanship.

This trip will take you to Ahmadabad and some of the tourist attractions like Adalaj Step well, Akshardham Temple (Monday holiday) and Gandhi Ashram.

Akshardham Temple in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, is a stunning modern temple dedicated to Lord Swaminarayan, showcasing intricate carvings, traditional architecture, and spiritual exhibitions. It is a center for devotion, cultural learning, and festivals, attracting devotees and tourists alike.

In the evening, you will be dropped at railway station or airport for your onward connecting flight.