Gopi Talab, Dwarka

Gopi Talab is one of the unique transcendental gems of Dwarka. It is the source of Holy Gopi Chandan which Vaishnavas apply on the forehead.

Chapter 07 of Skanda Purana states: The god of death frequently teaches his messengers thus: “They who merely utter the name of Dwaravati should be abandoned by you. Where is that fragrance in sandalwood, where is such a color in gold, where is that sanctity in the other tirthas, as is found in the gopi-chandana of Dwaravati?”

Originally Gopi Talab is the Gopracharaka Tirtha. This holy spot signifies the unlimited devotion of the Gopis of Vrindavana to their beloved Lord Sri Krishna. Seeing the simple yet supreme devotion of the Gopis, Lord Krishna, known as Dwarkadhish created a lake here to fulfil their desire. Although the King of Dwarka and the Supreme Lord, He proclaimed that He would stay by the lake always.

This lake celebrates the devotion that the Gopis had for Lord Krishna in spite of His staying away from Vrindavana. Such a transcendental gesture by Lord Krishna is the rarest of the rare. True devotion is the price you need to pay to visit this transcendental lake and take a holy bath in its divine waters.

The Garga Samhita states:

yasya shravana maatrena karma-bandhaat pramuchyate
gopinaam yatra vasso abhut tena gopi-bhuvah smritaah

Simply by hearing about Gopi-bhumi, which is so named because the gopis resided there, one becomes free from the bondage of Karma.

How was Gopi Talab created?

Lord Krishna takes a bath in the Gopi Talab every year, on the Ekadashi day of the Shravan month along with the demigods. After the death of Kamsa and the coronation of King Ugrasena, Lord Krishna sent Uddhava to meet the residents of Vrindavan with a message.

On seeing Uddhava, Nanda Maharaj, Mother Yashoda and the other residents of Vrindavan were extremely happy. They started asking Uddhava about Lord Krishna. Uddhava told them that Lord Krishna was very happy and that He would be coming soon to meet them. Everyone spent the whole night talking about Lord Krishna.

In the morning, when the Gopis saw the Chariot of Uddhava outside the residence of Nanda Maharaj, they started discussing amongst themselves as to who had come. They thought that Krishna hasn’t come. They prayed “O Lord Krishna! Please liberate us from this ocean called material world”.

Uddhava came hearing this and told the Gopis that he had come to take them to Dwarka. Hearing this, the Gopis became extremely happy and thus, they started for Dwarka along with Uddhava. Being engaged in very pleasing talks on the way, they reached near Dwarka. They stopped at a lake called Maya Sarovar.

All the Gopis were told by Uddhava to stand near the lake. And that Uddhava would go and inform Krishna of the Gopis arrival.

The Gopis asked Uddhava as to who had created this lake. He replied that a demon by the name of Maya had created it. Hence, the lake was called Maya Sarovar. The Gopis then told Uddhava to go and bring Krishna quickly to them.

Uddhava hurried to meet Krishna and then told Him about the Gopis arrival near Dwarka. On hearing this, Krishna became extremely happy. He set out with the demigods and the Yadus on elephants and horses to meet the Gopis. When the Gopis finally saw their beloved Lord, they addressed Him uniquely in their pangs of separation and spoke of their sadness.

Listening to the Gopis patiently, Krishna addressed them “O My dear Gopis, I have never felt separation from you at all! Nor will I ever feel so! Hearing this, the Gopis became very happy and told Krishna “O Lord, we are amazed by the speciality of Maya Sarovar! Kindly tell us the rules and regulation to take a holy bath and make offerings here.”

Lord Krishna replied “O Gopis, this sarovar has bonded with you eternally. Hence, I will stay here always. For your happiness, I will take a holy bath here every year on the Ekadashi day of Shravan month by coming here with all the residents of Dwarka.

Whoever takes a holy bath here on that day along with Me will definitely achieve the result of a holy bath in the Ganga River. You should offer oblations first and then take a holy bath, offer charity, etc. By doing so, such a person will live happily in this world acquiring sons and grandsons as well as wealth, grains, etc. His three generations of family would also get liberation.”

Hearing this, the Gopis said “You will come here every year along with the demigods to take a holy bath here. If you are happy with us, please create a beautiful lake in our name.”

Krishna replied “O Gopis, I will definitely fulfil your desire.” Saying so, Krishna ordered Vishwakarma, the celestial architect to construct a beautiful lake with full of lotus flowers.

After the creation of the lake, Krishna showed it to the Gopis and named it after them as Gopi Talab/Gopracharak Sarovar. Being happy at the sight of the lake created in their name, the Gopis requested that Krishna along with the demigods also come here to take a holy bath. Also, they wanted to hear the glories of that person who would take a holy bath here with utmost devotion.

Lord Krishna proclaimed that whoever offered oblations and then took a bath, offered charity and did the Pitru pooja here would attain fame in this world and liberation after their death.

Gopi Talab is the Source of Gopi Chandan

Vaishnavas or devotees of Lord Sri Krishna apply Gopi Chandana on the forehead. This is a sacred clay and it is found in the depths of Gopi Talab. Just like shalagrama shilas are distinguished due to the presence of the chakras in them, the blocks of Gopi Chandana also has Chakras on them. When gopis took bath in the Gopi Talab along with Lord Sri Krishna, their cosmetics got mixed with the water and seeped down to the depths of this sarovara.

gopy-angaraaga-sambhutam gopi-chandanam uttamam
gopi-chandana-liptaango gangaa-snana-phalam labhet

In Gopi-bhumi, gopi-chandana was manifested form the gopis’ cosmetics. A person who marks his limbs with gopi-chandana tilaka attains the results of bathing in the Ganga.

How to reach Gopi Talab?

Travel with Tirtha Yatra on the Pancha Dwarka Yatra to not miss this wonderful place.

Gopi Talab is located 20 kms to the north of Dwarka in the Samlasar region of Gujarat. To visit Gopi Talab, you need to reach Dwarka. After your darshan in Dwarka, you can catch a bus, hire a cab or even rent a private car from Dwarka. Your darshan at Dwarka will prepare you to visit Gopi Talab with the utmost devotion.

You can reach Dwarka using the following modes of transportation:

By Land: Dwarka is well-connected to major towns and cities. You can travel using a private vehicle. Or else, enough taxis and buses are available from Jamnagar, Porbandar and nearby cities.

By Rail: Dwarka has its own railway station (DWK) which is well connected to major cities in India. You can catch a train that goes directly to Dwarka or makes a stopover. So, no worries about changing buses or cars.

By Air: The nearest airports to Dwarka are in Jamnagar and Porbandar at a distance of 131 kms and 109 kms respectively. You can fly into Jamnagar/Porbandar and catch a taxi or bus to Dwarka.