Gomti Ghat: A Sacred Place to Take a Holy Dip in Dwarka

Gomti Ghat is a series of steps leading to the Gomti river, which flows past the holy city of Dwarka in Gujarat, India. The ghat is located behind the famous Dwarkadhish Temple, which is dedicated to Lord Krishna, the supreme god of love and compassion. The ghat is a place of great religious and spiritual significance for Hindus, as it is believed that taking a dip in the river can wash away one’s sins and purify one’s soul. The ghat also offers a scenic view of the river and the sea, as well as various temples and shrines along its banks. Gomti Ghat is famous tourist attraction in Dwarka, Visit during Dwarka Local Sightseeing by cab

Location of Gomti Ghat

Gomti Ghat is situated at the mouth of the Gomti river, which is a tributary of the holy Ganges, the most sacred river for all Hindus. The river originates in the Himalayan ranges of Nepal and flows down across many Indian states with Gujarat being one of those. The ghat is about 2 km away from the main Dwarkadhish Temple, and can be reached by road, rail or air from different parts of India.

Timing/Entry Fees Gomti Ghat

The ghat is open for darshan from 6:00 am to 9:00 pm every day. The ghat follows a strict schedule of rituals and ceremonies, which include various aartis, abhisheks, bhogs and shringars. The most important aarti is the Mangala Aarti, which takes place at 6:00 am, followed by Shringar Aarti at 10:30 am and Sandhya Aarti at 7:30 pm. The ghat also celebrates various festivals throughout the year, such as Krishna Janmashtami, Holi, Diwali and Rath Yatra.

The entry to the ghat is free for all visitors, but they have to deposit their mobile phones, cameras, shoes and other belongings at the counters outside the ghat. There are separate queues for men and women for security reasons. The devotees can also buy prasad, souvenirs, books and other items from the shops inside and outside the ghat premises.

How to Reach Gomti Ghat

There are various ways to reach Gomti Ghat from different parts of India. Some of them are:

• By Air: The nearest airport is Jamnagar, which is connected by flights from Mumbai, Delhi, Ahmedabad and other major cities. From Jamnagar, one can take a bus or a taxi to reach Dwarka in about 3 hours.
• By Rail: The nearest railway station is Dwarka, which is connected by trains from Mumbai, Delhi, Ahmedabad, Rajkot and other major cities. From Dwarka, one can take a rickshaw or a taxi to reach the ghat in about 10 minutes.
• By Road: Dwarka is well connected by road with Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Jamnagar, Porbandar and other nearby cities and towns. There are regular buses and taxis available from these places to reach Dwarka. The distance from Ahmedabad to Dwarka is about 450 km and takes about 8 hours by road.

Things to Do/Must See Gomti Ghat

There are many things to do and see in and around Gomti Ghat that can make your visit more memorable and enjoyable. Some of them are:

• Darshan: The main attraction of the ghat is the darshan of the Gomti river, which is considered to be the daughter of sage Vashishtha and the descending Ganges from heaven. The devotees can take a holy dip in the river or perform rituals at the Gomti Kund, which is the point of confluence of the river and the sea. The devotees can also see the idols of Lord Krishna, Lord Rama, Sudama and Lord Shiva in the water.
• Sudama Setu: Sudama Setu is a suspension bridge over the Gomti river that connects the ghat with the mainland. It was inaugurated in 2016 and offers a panoramic view of the river and the ghat. It is named after Sudama, who was a childhood friend of Krishna and visited him in Dwarka.
• Samudra Narayana Temple: Samudra Narayana Temple is a temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu as Samudra Narayana or Ocean God. It is located near the ghat and has a beautiful architecture and a peaceful atmosphere. The temple has idols of Samudra Narayana, Lakshmi Narayana and other deities.
• Bet Dwarka: Bet Dwarka is an island in the Arabian Sea, about 30 km from Dwarka. It is believed to be the original residence of Krishna and his family. It is also known as Shankhodhar, as it is said to be the place where Sudarshan Chakra was made. The island has many temples, such as Dwarkadhish Temple, Rukmini Temple, Hanuman Temple and Nageshwar Temple. One can reach Bet Dwarka by boat from Okha port.

Significance of Gomti Ghat

Gomti Ghat is one of the most sacred and ancient places in India, which has a great significance for Hindus. Some of the reasons for its importance are:

• It is one of the four Char Dham pilgrimage sites, which are considered to be the abodes of Lord Vishnu on earth. The other three are Badrinath, Rameswaram and Puri.
• It is one of the 108 Divya Desams, which are the holy places where Lord Vishnu is praised by the Alwars, the Tamil poet-saints.
• It is associated with the life and legends of Lord Krishna, who is one of the most popular and revered incarnations of Lord Vishnu. The ghat is believed to be the place where Krishna served sage Durvasa and where he met his friend Sudama.
• It is a symbol of faith and devotion for millions of devotees who come here to seek the blessings of Lord Krishna and experience his grace and love.

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Conclusion

Gomti Ghat is a must-visit place for anyone who wants to experience the divine presence of Lord Krishna and his eternal abode. The ghat is not only a place of worship but also a place of history, culture and art. The ghat offers a glimpse into the glorious past of India and its rich spiritual heritage. The ghat also inspires one to follow the teachings and values of Lord Krishna and live a life of righteousness, love and service…