The Dwarika temple of Lord Dwarikadhish, which is more than 2,000 years old, now wears a different look.
This ancient town of Dwarka, which the locals call Dwarika, will be L K Advani's first stop in Gujarat.
Decked up in the BJP’s flags, the temple wears a saffron look. But despite the swarming security personnel and the saffron look, the seaside temple looks magnificent and retains its mystic charm.
Most devotees come to Dwarika, considered the birthplace of Lord Krishna, hoping that the lord will fulfill the wishes of those who surrender to him.
It is also one of the very few ancient temples not under the government’s management.
Though the temple symbolises the ancient, the sleepy little town has otherwise kept pace with the rest of developing India.
The ancient temple is a protected monument and not much has changed around it.
But, with 24/7 electricity supply and more than 150 dharamshalas and hotels, the town does good business round the year.
It boasts of three or four cyber cafés and even the free lodging facilities are pretty decent. The people of Dwarika do not have any other source of income but the temple!
Also, these 40,000 original residents of Dwarika think they are the luckiest in the world because they live in Krishna nagari.
Ask any resident about the sandhya-arti and he will tell you even non-believers turn into believers if they witness the arti.
One of the managers of temple Ashwin Purohit, has this to say about Advani’s political fortunes.
“Lord Krishna too was a politician. A very successful one at that. Advani's wish in politics will be fulfilled if he prays here."
Advani and his team will be staying at the plush Tata Chemicals guesthouse in nearby township of Mithapur.
After the aarti, Advani will visit the seat of the Shankaracharya of Dwarika, Sharda Math, which is next door.
And hey, after reading all this, before you conclude Dwarika is the little miss two goody shoes of all towns, there is more.
Despite being the holiest of holy cities, you do get non-vegetarian food and booze here. You can have access to any alcohol if you know the "system". And Rupen, a neighbouring port, is known all over the Saurashtra region for its non-vegetarian food.
-- Paresh Jhakaria in Dwaraka