DWARKA

town, southwestern Gujarat state, west-central India. It lies on the western shore of the Okhamandal Peninsula, a small western extension of the Kathiawar Peninsula. Dwarka, or the City of Many Gates (Sanskrit: Dvaraka, or Dvaravati), is also known as Jagat, or Jigat. Dwarka was the legendary capital of the god Krishna, who founded it after his flight from Mathura. Its consequent sanctity makes it one of the seven great places of Hindu pilgrimage, although the town's original temples were destroyed in 1372 by the Delhi emperors. Most of the town's revenue is derived from the pilgrimage traffic; millets, ghee (clarified butter), oilseeds, and salt, however, are shipped from the port. Dwarka also contains a large cement works. It is served by a railroad and a main highway. Pop. (1981) 21,375.