Why Lord Krishna built City of Dwarka ?

After Kamsa sent so many asuras to Vrindavan in an attempt to kill Sri Krishna and Sri Balaram, they decided to invite them to Mathura  for a wrestling match with great demons Chanura and Mustika . At that time Krishna came to Mathura. He and Balaram killed Chanura and Mustika and then they killed Kamsa. After they killed Kamsa, Kamsa had 2 wives Asti and Prapti and they were the daughters of king Jarasandha who was a great demon of the Magad province. They went back to their father Jarasandh and they were grief stricken and their hearts were broken and they weepingly began to proclaim to their father that Kamsa was such a  noble pious righteous man, this Krishna such a rouge, he came and when our husband Kamsa was minding his own business  he was not aware Krishna jumped on him and killed him by all unfair means and we will not be satisfied until the death of our husband is avenged. So Jarasandha made a vow to destroy Krishna and destroy the entire yadu dynasty. He was a very powerful asura. So, he mobilised twenty three akshahouni division of soldiers comprising all demons from entire world to help him to conquer Krishna. As you know in the battle on Kurushetra, so many solider were killed but there were only eighteen akshahounis divisions of soldiers on both sides together. Jarasandha mobilised twenty three akshahouni divisions and they attacked Mathura and Krishna, and Krishna killed all of his army, deeply uprooted them destroyed everyone except Jarasandha. He allowed Jarasandha to escape and he again went to  mobilize all the demons from all over the world to come up with a huge army and again attacked Mathura. Krishna destroyed all his armies. He did this seventeen consecutive times. Now one may ask why Krishna killed his whole army but never would kill Jarasandha. The great acharyas explain that Krishna’s mission in this world is paritranaya sadhunam vinasaya duskritinam dharma samsthapanarthaya sambhavami yuge yuge. He comes for the purpose of protecting his devotees and annihilating, the miscreants, the demons. He knew that Jarasandha was such a popular and influential demon that he was getting demons form all over the world and bringing them right to Mathura so instead of Krishna travelling all over the world to kill all demons. He knew all he had to do was to kill them and let Jarasandha bring them. Whoever was left and kill them all and in this way the demons were coming right to his door.

There was a personality of the name Garga . One time it so happened that some of the members of the Yadu Dynasty ridiculed him and laughed at him. So he did tapasaya to Lord Shiva for a long time, many long years and he begged for a benediction that he would have child that would create great fear and anxiety in the Yadus. So with the benediction of Lord Shankar he begot from a woman from a yavana class, a sect most uncivilised section, of society.A son whose name was Kalayavan, who was a very powerful demon. And because he was from a Yavana untouchable class nobody liked to go close to him, very uncivilised. He mobilised a huge army of barbarians and Jarasandh arranged that one would attack from east and one would attack from west simultaneously. So Kalayavan  comes with his armies  from one side of Mathura and challenging Krishna to fight, and Krishna realized that while I am fighting with his armies, Jarasandh would come from other side, then the citizens of Mathura will be in a very  difficult  position.  It would be very uncomfortable for them. So He spoke with Balaram about this and He made a plan. While all the citizens of Mathura were sleeping, Krishna called for Visvakarma, the architect of the demigods, and told him to build a beautiful city within the sea. The city had a boundary wall around it which was 96 miles and Visvakarma may build such a wonderful, beautiful, incredible palace that nobody would have seen. There are beautiful, wide high way lanes which imported many beautiful flowers like parijata from the heavenly places. Beautiful palaces all bedecked with marble and all precious  jewels and gold and silver and they even brought the Sudharma the administrative parliament building of the heavenly planets of Indralok, they brought it down to be the capital of Dwarka. And after everything was beautifully constructed and all the 33 crores demigods all made contributions or gifts  to make Dwarka  beautiful. While all the inhabitant citizens of Mathura were sleeping, by the yogamaya potency Krishna transported everyone to Dwarka, so when they woke up in the morning they were living in this beautiful city in the middle of the ocean.

So Krishna was confident that this was a very fortified fort protected by the ocean itself and He could attempt to dealing with these demons. So when Kalyavana approached Krishna he just walked right by him and Krishna just walked very fast and he was threatening “You coward why don’t you stand and fight”. Krishna kept walking and he walked into a cave and Kalyavana was thinking what type of nonsense coward He is and now hiding in a cave. When he entered the cave he saw a body sleeping on the ground. He thought him to be Krishna, what an insult, I challenged him to fight and he went to sleep and so very hardly he kicked his body but he was not Krishna but a great king named Muchukunda, who immediately arose and looked at Kalyavana with great anger and form his eyes he burnt Kalyavana into ashes. Then Muchukunda told Krishna that he was not Krishna but a great king of the name Muchukunda who immediately arose and looked at Kalyavana with great anger and form his eyes he burnt Kalyavana  into ashes. Then Muchukunda told Krishna that he was a king who defended the demigods for many long years against the demons until Kartikeya the son of Shiva was born. At that time, they told me that they do not require you any more we will give you any bendiction for your seva he said the only benediction I wanted was to sleep. I haven’t slept for years and he was feared that if any other problem would take place, Indra and the demigods will wake him up so he said that I want a benediction that if any one who wakes me I will burn into ashes with my eyes. Krishna was so clever but Muchukunda was  His devotee and Krishna wanted to wake him to  send him back to Godhead  but if He woke him then Muchukunda would look at him and if He did not burn to ashes then it would have made the demigod liars and if He would have burnt to ashes then it  is not possible that He is Krishna. So He had to have somebody else to wake him up, somebody was to be burnt to ashes. Besides, Kaalayavana was a yavana and therefore it was below the dignity of Krishna to touch him with His own body or any of His weapons. So He arranged it so that Muchukunda could burn him with his glance and then He gave Muchukunda to ask for any benediction and he simply asked “Let me always remembering you with love and devotion and let me always be the servant of your devotees”.

Then Krishna went back to Mathura. and At that time, when Jarasandha attacked again,  Krishna just walked away and he started chasing after Him and this time Balaram was along with Him.Krishna Balaram were walking and Jarasandha was running as fast as he can with all of his armies, akshahounis divisions of soldiers but no matter how much they ran even with their chariots and elephants and with full speed Krishna and Balarama were walking they could not reach Him and Krishna walked into a big mountain and that mountain was 80 miles tall and at that time Jarasandha and his armies searched the entire mountain but they could not find Krishna but they knew that He had not escaped so they put fire all around the mountain and lit the entire mountain on fire knowing that nobody could escape, but Krishna and Balaram from the top of the mountain they leaped over the fire  80 miles down to the ground.

Sri Krishna Balaram Ki Jai. This mountain called mount pravarshan is even today in Gujarat state called as Raivata mountain. Meanwhile Jarasandha thought that they were dead and they had nice and wonderful celebrations that Krishna Balaram were finally dead. Because Krishna ran from front of Jarasandha he gave the name Ranchor. Ranchor literaly means the one who ran form the battle like a cowhard, but when Krishna ran from battle as Ranchor He is actually a demonstration of His opulence  aiswarya of renounciation. Krishna does not care of what people think of him in this regard.He is a renounciate. He allowed everyone to think that he is cowhard running way form battle  because he had a very special purpose. What was His purpose? He wanted to get to Dwarka very soon because He knew that Rukmini would soon meet Him to kidnap Her and if He fought this war with Jarasandha he might be late so he walked away, jumped over the fire and entered into Dwarka.

 

Other Temples in Pandharpur

Chandrabhaga 
Skhanda puran narrates this story of lord Shiva’s fight with Tripurasur. Once Tripurasur was causing havoc in all three worlds. Lord Shiva fought valiantly and killed Tripurasur. While killing him, Lord Shiva perspired heavily. His perspiration took the form of a river and traversed the earth planet causing flood. When this flood reached Pandharpur the residents became fearful and prayed to Bhairav who is the guardian of this holly place. Lord became angry on  river and was about to destroy it. The river in turn prayed to Lord Vitthal for protection. Lord Vitthal assured her protection and allowed her to flow through Pandharpur, but without making any noise. This river is none other than river Bhima and because she half circumambulates Pandharpur like half moon, hence here she is also known as Chandrabhaga.

Chandrabhaga
Chandrabhaga

Chandrabhaga River
Chandrabhaga River

Gopalpur

Gopalpur lies 2.5 km south of Pandharpur. Gopalpur temple is on a hill which is also called as Gopalpur hill and is non different from Govardhan hill. Once Lord Krishna along with his cows came to visit Pandharpur. This past time is commemorated even today at a temple called Vishnupad in Gopalpur, where Lord Krishna’s foot prints are embedded on a stone slab along with the hoof prints of cow and the prints of Krishna’s foot. Local devotees say that this place is Lord Krishna’s eternal place of lunch pastime. Even today this pastime takes place. Narada muni’s small temple demonstrates his everyday’s visit to witness this. At Gopalpur river, Pushpavati meets Bhima. This Pushpavati river is nondifferent from Yamuna.
On the first day of the month of Margashirsha, Lord Vitthala’s sandals are taken to this vishnupad temple. On the last day of the same month, Lord Vitthala’s chariot is brought to the temple in a grand procession.

Gopalur Temple
Gopalur Temple

Foot Print of Krishna and Cows
Foot Print of Krishna and Cows

Narad Muni Temple at Gopalpur
Narad Muni Temple at Gopalpur

Gopal Krishna Mandir at Gopalpur
Gopal Krishna Mandir at Gopalpur

Gopal Krishna Mandir at Gopalpur
Gopal Krishna Mandir at Gopalpur

Lohadanda Tirtha 

This holy place is on the Chandrabhaga river in front of Pundalik temple.It is said that stone boat floats on river in this place. Story about this holy place is as follows – lord Indra took the appearance like gautam rishi and violated his wife Ahalya’s  chastity. Gautam rishi cursed his wife into a stone and cursed Indra to suffer from disease all over his body. Ahalya became free from curse by the touch of lord Ramchandra’s feet. Indra approached Bhagvan Vishnu for help.  Bhagvan Vishnu gave an iron rod in the hand of Indra and told him to go for a pilgrimage. Bhagvan Vishnu also blessed him “The holy river in which this rod will float,that will give you relief  from this disease . After travelling lots of holy place, Indra reached this place. In this place, the iron rod floated and Indra took bath here. After taking bath, Indra became free from curse and disease. In this way, this the place got the name as LOHADANDA TIRTHA.

Lakhubai Temple 

This temple is Rukmini’s temple. This is a place where she performed tapasya being unhappy with Lord Krishna at Dwarka. This place is also known as Dindirvan.

Lord Ram Temple

This temple is built to remind of Lord Rama’s visit to Pandharpur in his exile while he was searching for mother Sita.

Mallikarjun Temple

This pastime is even before Lord vitthal came here. Once a great demon of the name dindirav after getting blessings of many gods started troubling all directions. All the gods pleaded to Lord Vishnu for help. Lord Vishnu appeared as Mallikarjun, the son of king shri Chandra. Shri Chandra performed tapasya to lord Shiva wanting to have a son like Lord Vishnu. In answer to his prayers Lord Vishnu came as child Mallikarjun. at the age of 20,Lord came to this forest for hunting and was challenged by demon Dindirav. The fight lasted for thousand years. Lord then took a mace of iron rod (loha danda) and hit demon on head. while dying demon chanted unknowingly “Hari Hari”. Being pleased with him lord asked him to ask for a benediction.

Dindirava demon asked “since I was killed by a iron rod (Loha danda),let this place be called as LOHADANDA TIRTHA and this forest gets my name as DINDIRAVAN.

Taak Pithe Vithoba Temple

This temple is close to west gate of  the main vitthal temple. Long ago one old devoted lady of the name Ramabai used to stay here. She had come here from Paithan on the order of Lord himself. She would everyday serve Lord in the main temple and only eat food which is offered to Lord. On the order of Lord everyday she would bring a special food item “TAAK PITH”-Butter porridge and the Lord would relish it .  As years went by Ramabai became old and could not come to temple. So lord himself along with Rukmini devi went and stayed in her house.

There lord like a child would demand and relish her TAKH PITH. When Ramabai’s health improved and she was able to go again, the lord decided to return. At this time she requested the Lord to stay permanently in her house. Agreeing with her Lord decided to expand and stay here also . even today during  Ashadi Ekadashi when pilgrims can’t take darshan of the main deity they come here knowing well the non difference.

Namdev Payari(Namdev’s Steps)

Saint Namdev prayed to lord Vitthal “ oh lord, I do not want Vaikuntha , but only aspire to get dust from feet of all devotees who visit you. I wish to become the steps on your doorway.” In answer to his prayers lord Vitthal arranged for the ground near the steps to part . saint Namdev with his whole family entered into the ground. This step is even today visible on the main front door of Lord Vitthal’s temple and is called as NAMDEV PAYRI.

Namadev Payari
Namadev Payari

Story Related to Godavari River

Godavari River

Lord Brahma worshipped  Lord Trivikram in Satya Loka (on earth) with the same holy water of the Ganges which came from his lotus feet. He wanted to get the river Ganges to come in the material realm and that Lord Shankar should hold it on his head, to flow. Brahma’s benediction was fulfilled. However seeing river Ganges in the form of a woman closely associating  her husband Shankar,  Parvati was unhappy. She planned to drive Ganges away from her husband.

As part of the plan Parvati and her son Ganesh came to live in Gautama’s Ashrama with Parvati’s friend Jaya. There was a famine of 24 years and people were affected by the pangs of hunger. However, Varun – the God of Rains, pleased with Sage Gautama arranged rains every day  in Gautam’s Ashrama (dwelling place) which was in Trimbakeshwar. Gautama used to sow rice in the surrounding fields of his Ashrama in the morning, reap the crop in the afternoon and with it fed a large group of rishis, who took shelter in his Ashrama on account of the famine. The blessings of the group of rishis increased the merit (Punya) of Gautam. Lord Indra’s position became shaky  because of his increased merit. So Indra ordered clouds to rain all over Trimbakeshwar, so that the famine will be over and rishis will go back and the increasing merits of Gautam will be weakened. Although the famine was over, Gautam urged the rishis to stay back and kept on feeding them and gaining merit.

However Once he saw a cow grazing in the paddy field  and he drove her away by throwing Darbha (sharp, pointed grass). The slender cow died by this. It was Jaya – Parvati’s friend, who had taken the form of a cow. This news upset the Rishis and they refused to luncheon at his Ashram. Gautam requested Rishis to show a way out of this sin.

He was advised to approach Lord Shiva and request him to release Ganges and a bath in the Ganges would set him free of his sins. Gautam then practiced penance by going to the peak of Brahmagiri. Lord Shankara was pleased by his worships and gave him the Ganges.

However, Ganges was not prepared to part with Lord Shiva, which irritated him. He made Tandav Nrutya (dance) on the peak of Brahmagiri  and dashed his jata there. Frightened by this action, Ganges appeared on Brahmagiri. Later on Ganges appeared in the Trimbak Tirtha. Gautam praised her but she off and on appeared on the mountain at various places and disappeared in anger.

Gautama could not bathe in her waters. Ganges then appeared in Gangadwar, Varaha-tirtha, Rama-Laxman tirtha, Ganga Sagar tirtha. Still Gautama could not bathe in her waters. The Gautama surrounded the river with enchanted  grass and put a vow to her.  The flow stopped there and the tirtha thus came to be called Kushavarta.  It is from this Kushavarta that the river Godavari flows up to the sea. The sin of killing a cow by Gautama was wiped off here.

Dwarka Fifty Centuries Ago

The following description of Dwarka during Krishna's presence there appears in the Srimad-Bhagavatam (10.69.1–12) in connection with the sage Narada’s visit.
The City Was Filled with the sounds of birds and bees flying about the parks and pleasure gardens, while its lakes, crowded with blooming indivara, ambhoja, kahlara, kumuda, and utpala lotuses, resounded with the calls of swans and cranes.
Dwarka boasted 900,000 royal palaces, all constructed with crystal and silver and splendorously decorated with huge emeralds. Inside these palaces, the furnishings were bedecked with gold and jewels.
 
Traffic moved along a well laid-out system of boulevards, roads, intersections, and marketplaces, and many assembly houses and temples of demigods graced the charming city. The roads, courtyards, commercial streets, and residential patios were all sprinkled with water and shaded from the sun’s heat by banners waving from flagpoles.
 
In the city of Dwarka was a beautiful private quarter worshiped by the planetary rulers. This district, where the demigod Visvakarma had shown all his divine skill, was the residential area of Lord Hari [Krishna], and thus it was gorgeously decorated by the sixteen thousand palaces of Lord Krishna's queens. Narada Muni entered one of these immense palaces.
 
Supporting the palace were coral pillars decoratively inlaid with vaidurya gems. Sapphires bedecked the walls, and the floors glowed with perpetual brilliance. In that palace Tvasta had arranged canopies with hanging strands of pearls; there were also seats and beds fashioned of ivory and precious jewels. In attendance were many well-dressed maidservants bearing lockets on their necks, and also armor-clad guards with turbans, fine uniforms, and jeweled earrings.
 
The glow of numerous jewel-studded lamps dispelled all darkness in the palace. My dear king, on the ornate ridges of the roof danced loudly crying peacocks, who saw the fragrant aguru incense escaping through the holes of the latticed windows and mistook it for a cloud.