Mool Dwarka: The Original Dwarka of Lord Krishna Near Kodinar

While pilgrims flock to the great Dwarka on the western tip of Saurashtra, few know of Mool Dwarka, the humble coastal village revered as the very root and origin of Krishna's Dwarka. This guide, from the team behind Somnath Dwarka Tour Package, a unit of Experience My India, covers the legend and meaning of Mool Dwarka, its ancient temple and features, the Pancha Dwarka pilgrimage and how to reach this offbeat but deeply sacred site near Somnath.

About Mool Dwarka

Mool Dwarka, also spelled Mul Dwarka, Mool Dwarika or Moola Dwaraka, is a small, ancient seashore village near Kodinar in the Gir Somnath district of Gujarat. Set on the Saurashtra coast, it is believed by tradition to be the first place where Lord Krishna stayed after leaving Mathura, before he established his royal capital at the Dwarka we know today. Though a quiet and little-visited spot, with an old, dilapidated temple, a sacred well and intriguing ancient ruins, Mool Dwarka holds a special place in the hearts of devout Krishna followers as the root of the Dwarka legend. For true Krishna bhakts, a visit here is where the sacred journey of the Dwarkas begins and it offers a quiet, contemplative counterpoint to the busy, thronged temples of the main pilgrimage circuit.

Mool Dwarka at a glance

The meaning and legend of Mool Dwarka

The name Mool or Mul, means root or origin and Mool Dwarka is revered as the very root of the Dwarka story. According to tradition, when Lord Krishna and his brother Balarama left Mathura to escape the repeated attacks of the demon king Jarasandha, they first set foot on the Saurashtra coast here, at Mool Dwarka, before travelling on to establish their great kingdom at Dwarka. Legend holds that Jarasandha, seeking vengeance for the death of his sons, waged war on Krishna again and again but always lost, yet Krishna, knowing it was fated that Jarasandha would die at the hands of Bhima, chose to move his people to the safety of the western coast. Mool Dwarka thus marks the beginning of Krishna's life in Saurashtra, the first step on the path that led to the golden city of Dwarka and this is why devotees hold the humble village in such high regard despite its modest, weathered temple.

Mool Dwarka and the Pancha Dwarka yatra

For devout followers of Krishna, Mool Dwarka is far more than a quiet village, for it is where the Pancha Dwarka yatra, the pilgrimage of the five Dwarkas, traditionally begins. While most pilgrims head straight for the famous Dwarkadhish temple, true bhakts start their journey at Mool Dwarka, the root and go on to the other sacred Dwarkas of the region, including Bet Dwarka, Krishna's island and the great Dwarka itself. Visiting Mool Dwarka first, then the others, is seen as following the sacred sequence of Krishna's own journey, making it a meaningful start to a Krishna pilgrimage across the Saurashtra coast.

The temple and site features

The village houses an old temple dedicated to Lord Krishna and Radha, believed to date back many centuries, now in a somewhat dilapidated condition but full of atmosphere and devotion. Within the temple are shrines of Radha-Krishna and the sacred paduka or footprint, of Lord Krishna, along with idols of other deities such as Rama and Sita, Lakshmi Narayan, Ganesha and Shiva. Nearby is a historic deep well where, by tradition, Krishna is said to have bathed and a stone slab is believed to commemorate his arrival at the site. Simple and ancient, set in a peaceful coastal village, the temple offers a quiet, contemplative darshan quite unlike the crowds of the great Dwarka, letting pilgrims connect with the very origins of the Krishna legend on this coast.

Diva Dandi, the ancient lighthouse

One of the most fascinating features of Mool Dwarka is its archaeology, which speaks of an ancient, flourishing port. The site features medieval port remains and a working jetty, testimony to a time when this was a busy coastal harbour. Most intriguing of all is a circular stone tower called Diva Dandi, the Gujarati word for lighthouse, a structure a few metres high built of well-dressed limestone blocks. Marine archaeologists who studied the site believe this may have served as an ancient lighthouse, possibly the oldest recorded on the entire Saurashtra coast, dated to somewhere between the 12th and 15th centuries. Along with artefacts dating back over a thousand years, Diva Dandi makes Mool Dwarka a place of genuine historical as well as spiritual significance, hinting at a time when this quiet village was a thriving seaport on the ancient maritime trade routes of the western coast.

Timings and entry

As Mool Dwarka is a small, quiet village temple rather than a large managed shrine, it can generally be visited at any reasonable time during the day and there is no entry fee. The temple is not as organised or as well maintained as the great temples of the region, so it is best visited in daylight hours and it is wise to check locally for the current situation before you go. The peaceful, unhurried atmosphere is part of its charm and pilgrims can take a quiet darshan and explore the well and the ancient ruins at their own pace, without the crowds and queues of the major pilgrimage centres.

How to reach Mool Dwarka

Mool Dwarka sits on the coastal highway near Kodinar and is easily reached from the main Saurashtra towns. The approximate access options are:

By road, which is the easiest option, you can hire a taxi or take a state transport bus from Somnath, Veraval or Kodinar, as the site lies along the coastal highway. By train, Kodinar station is closest, with Somnath and Veraval offering broader connections. By air, Diu is the nearest airport, from where a taxi reaches the village. See our how to reach Somnath guide, as most visitors come via Somnath.

Best time to visit Mool Dwarka

As a coastal village, Mool Dwarka enjoys a mild climate through the year, but the best time to visit is the cooler season, roughly October to February, when the weather is pleasant and the surrounding greenery is at its best after the monsoon, in line with the best time to visit Gujarat. The summer months of April to June are hot and humid, so are best avoided, while just after the rains the countryside is green and lovely. Winter is ideal, letting you enjoy the coast, the secluded beaches and the quiet temple in comfort and pairing well with a wider Somnath and Dwarka pilgrimage.

Combine Mool Dwarka with Somnath, Diu and Dwarka

Because Mool Dwarka is a little out of the way, it is best enjoyed as part of a wider trip. It lies close to Somnath, the first Jyotirlinga, about 35 to 40 km away and to Diu, the former Portuguese island, making it an easy add-on to a Somnath and Diu itinerary. For Krishna devotees, the natural journey continues on to the great Dwarka and Bet Dwarka up the coast, completing the Pancha Dwarka yatra. Many travellers weave Mool Dwarka into a Somnath, Diu, Gir and Dwarka circuit, taking in the root of the Dwarka legend along with the region's great temples, coast and wildlife.

Tips for visiting Mool Dwarka

A few pointers make the visit smoother:

• Visit as part of a wider Somnath, Diu or Dwarka trip, as Mool Dwarka is a little out of the way.

• Go in daylight hours, as the village temple is small and not brightly lit or heavily staffed.

• Hire a car or taxi from Somnath, Veraval or Kodinar, the easiest way to reach the village.

• Take time to see the deep well and the Diva Dandi ruins, not just the temple.

• Keep expectations modest, as this is an ancient, humble shrine, not a grand managed temple.

• Check locally for the temple's current condition and any darshan times before you go.

Plan your Mool Dwarka trip

Experience My India can plan a Krishna pilgrimage that includes Mool Dwarka along with Somnath, Diu, Dwarka and Bet Dwarka. Read our Dwarka city guide for the great Dwarka, plan excursions around Somnath and Diu, book Somnath Dwarka hotels and let the Experience My India Somnath Dwarka tour packages or a Somnath Dwarka taxi service handle the travel to this offbeat site and the wider circuit.

Related guides

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Plan your visit

Experience My India can arrange your Mool Dwarka and Saurashtra pilgrimage. Browse more travel guides, message us on WhatsApp or call +91 73006 20809.