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Dwarkadhish Temple dedicated to Lord Krishna was originally built around 2,500 years ago, but was destroyed by Mahmud Begada rulers and subsequently rebuilt in the 16th century. 

The city's name literally means the "gateway to heaven" in Sanskrit, as Dwar means "gate" and ka references "Brahma". Dwaraka has also been referred to throughout its history as "Mokshapuri", "Dwarkamati", and "Dwarkavati".

 According to legend, Lord Krishna settled here after He defeated and killed His uncle Kamsa at Mathura. This mythological account of Lord Krishna's migration to Dwarka from Mathura is closely associated with the culture of Gujarat.

Lord  Krishna is also said to have reclaimed 12 yojanas or 96 square kilometres (37 square miles) of land from the sea to create Dwarka.

The story how Shri Krishna became famous as Dwarkadhish is very interesting. Though He was the king, He ruled democratically. Jarasandha, father-in-law of Kansa, attacked Matura on seventeen different occasions, and on each occasion, under the leadership of Lord Krishna, the people of Mathura bravely repulsed the attack. 

 Lord Krishna realized that the real strength of Jarasandha was his reliance on Hans and Dhimak who were on Jarasandha's side. So with a great deal of foresight, Lord Krishna cleverly got Hansa and Dhimak killed.

Lord Krishna had to fight the large majority of people who were materialistic and evil- minded. Jarasandha was frightened after the death of Hansa and Dhimak, and his army lost confidence. Jarasandha, with great efforts, once again built up his army and invaded Mathura for the 18th time. 

On this occasion, Vikadru, a member of the Yadav assembly spoke the bitter truth, He said,' Krishna, we have limitless love for you. We cannot compensate you for your obligations on us. Yet, these invasions are because of you. The civic life of Mathura is completely disrupted. Commerce and trade have been ruined. The people are not able to attend to agricultural duties, and as a result, our progress is hindered. And above all, the danger of one more invasion by Jarasandha is hanging over Mathura. Hence, in these circumstances, for the good of the people, I request you to leave us. It is bitter but it is the truth. Please consider, Lord  Krishna, your followers are not sentimental. They cannot remain sentimental because of your teachings. Therefore, I as your devotee tell you the truth without fear.’

 The entire assembly was stunned and silent. Lord Krishna's father Vasudev supported Vikadru in the assembly. 

Lord Krishna realized that the republic had to face many dangers because of Him. He decided to leave Mathura. Thus, He proved that He not only advised but also lived accordingly.

He advised Yadavas,' I have taught you true culture. Live according to the ideals and impart these teachings to others. I will leave Matura and go to Dwaraka, in Saurashtra.’

Lord Krishna crossed the Gomantak (Girnar Mountain) and went to Saurashtra, where He built Dwaraka City (City of Gold) at a distance of 20 miles from Prabhas Patan (currently, Veraval, Somanath). 

Lord Krishna appeared to have settled in Dwaraka, although His mind was engaged in re-establishing a kingdom based on the principle of true religion. This was His life's goal. And He built Dwaraka , the empire based on the principal of true religion, called Dharma Rajya in the true sense, where He becomes known as the ruler of Dwaraka,' Shri Dwarkadhish.‘

The holy town of Dwaraka (Lat. 22'15'N Long. 69'E) in the Jamnagar district of Gujarat is believed to be the legendary city of Dwaraka built by Lord Krishna between 3500 and 5000 years ago!

According to the epic Mahabharata, the city in due course was submerged by the sea. The Harivansh, an appendix to the Mahabharata, says that Dwaraka was situated on the bank of the river Gomati where it joins the western sea. 

The seven-storeyed temple of Dwarkadhish or Ranchodji at Dwaraka rises to a height of 43 m at the confluence of the river Gomati with the Arabian Sea. The inner temple is assignable to the 13th century AD and the subsequent enlargement in the form of an assembly hall known as Ladwa mandap and the awe-inspiring sikhara are datable to the 15th century. 

Within the enclosure of the Dwarkadhish temple complex, shrines dedicated to Pradyumnaji, Devakiji, Purushottamji, Kuseshvar Mahadev and also the Sharda Peeth established by Adi Shankra Charya in the 9th century can be seen. 

The temple address : Shree Dwarkadhish Temple, Dwaraka - 361 335, Dist.: Dev Bhoomi Dwaraka, Gujarat. 

The present structure of the temple was constructed in the 15th-16th century in Chalukya style architecture. The grandeur of the temple is enhanced by the flight of 56 steps leading to the rear side of the edifice on the side of the river Gomati. The temple is built of soft limestone and consists of a sanctum, vestibule and a rectangular hall with porches on three sides. 

There are two gateways: swarga dwar (gate to the heavens), where pilgrims enter, and moksha dwar (gate to liberation), where pilgrims exit.

There are shrines dedicated to Devaki (mother of Lord Krishna), Veni-madhava (Lord Vishnu), Radhika, Jambuvati, Satyabhama, Lakshmi, Saraswati and Lakshmi-Narayan in the temple complex.  The temple became part of the Char Dham pilgrimage , after Adi Shankaracharya visited the shrine. 

Dhwaja, the temple flag, spans 84 feet long and is hosted on top of a pillar that is 20 feet high. It bears the emblem of the sun and the moon and can be seen in the various combination of pink, red, saffron, yellow, white, blue and green. 

The main temple, supported by 72 pillars, is known as Jagat Mandir. According to tradition, the original temple was believed to have been built by Krishna's grandson, Vajranabha, over the hari-griha (Lord Krishna's residential place).