Information of Rukmini Devi Temple, Devbhoomi Dwarka, Gujarat

The Temple of Rukmini Devi is located at a distance of two kilometres from the holy city of Dwarka, Gujarat. The temple is known to be quite popular and is regarded as an architectural marvel. The temple is devoted to Rukmini who was the queen and the main wife of God Krishna. Rukmini is also believed to be an incarnation of Lakshmi who is regarded as the fortune Goddess.

Rukmini Devi Temple Religious Significance

The Rukmini Devi Temple is considered to be of great significance owing to the legendary reason behind the position of the temple. It is believed that Lord Krishna along with Rukmini, his wife once visited the revered sage Durvasha in order to request him for having dinner at Dwarka. It needs to be mentioned in this regard that Durvasha Muni was known for his anger and used to get angry on the slightest of pretext. It is usually believed that when a guest is invited to a meal, according to the custom, the host should not eat prior to the coming of the guest as well as before satisfying him or her Sage Durvasha accepted the invitation only on the stipulation that both Rukmini and Lord Krishna should drag his chariot as a replacement for an animal. Both of them gladly agreed to it. Rukmini felt tired and exhausted while drawing the chariot of Durvasha Muni which further made her thirsty and turned to her husband, Lord Krishna for help. Krishna in order to provide water to his beloved wife positioned his toe on the particular region of the ground from where the holy water of Ganges River poured so as to create a spring of the water from Ganga or Ganges. Durvasha Muni failed to notice this particular act of Lord Krishna as he was looking in other direction. Rukmini with the intention of quenching her thirst drank a sip of the water without offering or asking Durvasha. Unfortunately, Durvasha witnessed this scene and soon became annoyed owing to Rukmini's impoliteness which made him curse Rukmini. He cursed Rukmini that she would have to stay separate from her beloved husband, Lord Krishna. This is believed to be the explanation behind the distance between the temple of Lord Krishna which is situated within the town and the Rukmini Devi Temple which is situated on the outskirts of the town. The temple is also known to be richly carved which further adds to its significance to a great extent.

Rukmini Devi Temple Mythology & History

According to the mythological facts, although Rukmini was believed to have been born to an earthly family, her status related to the embodiment of Goddess Lakshmi has been explained all the way through the Puranic literature. Rukmini was learnt to have been born to Bhishmaka who was the king of Vidarbha. Rukmini loved and desired Krishna whose character, greatness, virtue and charm captivated her. Rukmini's parents approved of her love for Krishna except for her brother, Rukmi and therefore, both of them had to elope and get married. According to the legends it is supposed that after abducting Rukmini, Lord Krishna wedded Rukmini in a small village called Madhavpur Ghed which is situated in the state of Gujarat. A temple was erected in the remembrance of that particular event. A festivity of this stated occasion is organized at Madhavpur every year in reminiscence of the wedding.

Thus the importance of this temple and the religious importance that it carries is well respected by one and all. Its legends are well known to all and even today, the same is carried by the people of India.