Dwarka, located in the state of Gujarat, is revered as one of
the Chardhams (the four most scared pilgrimage centers) of India
and is associated with Lord Krishna's life. Renowned in myth and legend,
the city of Dwarka was once the capital of Lord Krishna's empire and it
is believed that he had settled there after leaving Mathura, thousands
of years ago. According to the epic Mahabharata, when the Lord finally
abandoned his body, the holy city was submerged by the sea. The entire
city was revealed by marine excavations and like its ancient
counterpart, today Dwarka stands poised on the edge of the Kutchh
peninsula, facing the Arabian sea and the gateway to western India. The majestic Dwarkadhish Temple (Jagat Mandir) at Dwarka is one of the most imposing structures of Hindu architecture on the confluence of river Gomti and the Arabian Sea. This is a five-storey high temple, built on seventy-two pillars. It is said that Vajranabha (Lord Krishna's grandson) built the original temple of Dwarkadhish over the Hari-griha (Lord Krishna's residential palace). There are two entrances to the Dwarkadhish temple - the north entrance (main entrance) is called "Moksha Dwara" (Door to Salvation) and the south entrance is called "Swarga Dwara" (Gate to Heaven).
Dwarka is also famous for The Sharada Peetha-one of the four Mathas established by Jagatguru AdiShankaracharya. The Peetha has an educational society, an arts college and a Sanskrit Academy, which prepares scholars for doctorates in Sanskrit and Indology.