Rukmini Dwaraka

This 2500 year old temple, located at a distance of 2 kms away from Dwarkadhish Temple, is dedicated to Rukmini, one of the wives of Lord Krishna and an incarnation of Goddess Lakshmi.

Rukmini is Lakshmi incarnate, a symbol of love and devotion to Krishna, a symbol of purity and humility as well. Visiting the temple and praying to her is a must if you visit Dwarkadheesh .

There is a very interesting legend that explains why Rukmini is not worshipped in Dwarkadhish Mandir along with the other wives of Lord Krishna but separately in a temple solely dedicated to her. Long ago Krishna and Rukmini went to sage Durvasa to invite him to Dwarka. He agreed to come on the condition that his chariot would be pulled by none other than Krishna and Rukmini, to this, they readily agreed. Just before reaching Dwarka, Rukmini became very thirsty. To quench her thirst Lord Krishna pressed the ground and Ganga waters started streaming from here. A thirsty Rukmini took a sip without offering it to Durvasa and this annoyed him, thus followed a curse that she would be separated from her husband. Rukmini’s temple stands on very arid land, completely isolated with not a single building or house besides it. The temple’s spellbinding architecture with minute carvings and paintings depicts various stories that draw tourists from all over the world. Every devotee who visits this temple is made to sit in the Sabha Mandap and listen to the local priest’s narration of the legend associated with this shrine. Your pilgrimage to Dwarka is incomplete if you don’t offer prayers at Rukmini Temple.

It is believed that there is no good edible water in the surroundings of Rukmani mandir except inside this mandir and we were given water to drink if we pay Rs. 10 . The water we tasted was not salty .