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Lord Krishna is the avatar of Lord Vishnu and naturally, Rukmini is one of the avatars of Laxmi Devi, the consort of Lord Vishnu. 

The temple is said to be more than 2500 years old but it may have been reconstructed over time. The present temple is said to belong to the 12th century.  

Dedicated to Rukmini, the chief consort of Lord Krishna, the temple bears rich carvings of gods and goddesses. The Garbha Griha or sanctum houses the main Vigraham of Rukmini.

Once Lord Krishna wished to invite the sage Durvasa for dinner, and accordingly, He set out with Rukmini to the ashram of Durvasa, who agreed on the condition that they pull the chariot in which he would travel.

They agreed but, on the way, Rukmini became thirsty and asked Lord Krishna for water. He struck the earth with His foot and Ganga gushed forth. Rukmini quenched her thirst. 

Durvasa was watching and flew into a rage because he was not offered water first. In his rage, he cursed Rukmini that the couple would always live apart. No one knows why he did not curse Lord Krishna, but as a result of the curse, they had to live apart. Was the curse revoked? No one knows.

This is the reason why the Rukmini Devi temple is not adjacent to the Dwarkadheesh temple, but it is at a distance. It is also noteworthy that the temple stands on barren land amid rocks bereft of water.

Rukmini had fallen in love with Lord Krishna and He too was smitten with her and decided to abduct her. She would always go to an Avantika temple and pray to Amba Mata to grant her wish that she become the wife of Lord Krishna. 

Rukmini was the daughter of Bhishmaka, King of Vidarbha and her brother was against the match and did not approve but wanted to marry her off to the evil Shishupal. 

She sent a message to Lord Krishna to save her and therefore, both decided to elope. One day, she went for worship to the temple (which is currently in Bulandshahr, UP) and that day, Lord Krishna carried her away and married her in Madhavpur Ghed in Gujarat and both lived in bliss until the Durvasa incident. 

Madhavpur too has a temple of Rukmini and Krishna to commemorate this event. 

Some believe that Radha and Rukmini are one and the same, the incarnations of Goddess Lakshmi because there are similarities in age and the devotion they have towards the Lord. When Lord Krishna is with Rukmini, Radha does not appear and when He is with Radha, Rukmini is absent.

Rukmini is Lakshmi incarnate, a symbol of love and devotion to Krishna, a symbol of purity and humility as well.

The exterior of the Rukmini Temple is richly carved. It has a panel of sculpted naratharas (human figures) and a panel of sculpted gajatharas (elephants) at the base. The traditional spire of the main shrine contrasts strongly with the hemispherical dome of the pavilion. 

The garbhagriha (inner sanctum) has a recessed seat on which the present image of Rukmini, wife of Lord Krishna, was consecrated. The usual sculptures of gods and goddesses, along with male and female figures, are seen on the exterior of the shrine.

Temple address: Rukmimi Mata Mandir, Dwaraka, Gujarat 361335.

It is a richly carved temple decorated with sculptures of gods and goddesses on the exterior with the sanctum housing the main image of Rukmini. Carved naratharas (human figures) and carved gajatharas (elephants) are depicted in panels at the base of the tower.