Famous Temples in India

Religious Significance

Legends of Rukmini there are 3-4 popular legends associated with her that mostly come from Srimad Bhagwat.

Why is Rukmini Temple Away from the City - The story goes that Rishi Durvasa, who happens to be the Kul Guru of Yadavas, had his ashram at Pindara – some distance away from Dwarka. Krishna and Rukmini went over to invite him for food with all their chariots. Remember, Rishi Durvasa was known for his bad temper and quick anger. He agreed to come but, on a condition, that the chariot would not be drawn by horses or any other animals but by Krishna and Rukmini themselves. They agreed. Now she was a queen not used to pull the chariots. After a while her throat was dry and she looked at Krishna. He understood she needs water. He pressed his right toe into the earth and out came the Ganga. She had water. She was so thirsty that she forgot to offer it to Rishi Durvasa first. This made him angry and he cursed that the couple would be separated and live apart. This is why Rukmini’s temple is away from the Dwarkadhish temple. They are still living Durvasa’s curse. They even say that Rishi Durvasa cursed that Dwarka would be infertile and nothing would grow here. That also remains true to this date – the dry land around Dwarka has nothing growing here. The man had worked around to mine salt here is another tale.

Krishna – Rukmini Vivah - Rukmini was the princess of Vidarbha – the area around current day Nagpur. This is why she is also called Vaidarbhi. She was born to Bhishmaka – the king of Vidarbha. She was to be married to Sisupala – the king of Chedi. However, she had heard so much about Sri Krishna from so many people including Sage Narada that she has made up her mind to marry only Sri Krishna. In fact, Bhagwad Puran mentions that Rukmini thought only Sri Krishna is equal to her in Gunas or an equal match. She is believed to be the most beautiful women ever in Indian Scriptures.

Tulabhar - The story goes that Satyabhama the third wife of Krishna was tricked by Narada to donate wealth worth Krishna’s weight. Satyabhama accepted and made Krishna sit on side of the weighing balance. On the other side, Satyabhama put all her wealth – all the gems and jewelry she had, but it could not match the weight of Krishna. She begged the wealth from other wives but still, nothing happened. In the end, she requests Rukmini to help her out. She puts a single leaf of Tulsi Plant and the weighing scale tilts the other way. When everything but the Tulsi leaf is removed the scale still tilts towards the leaf. The message is that you can win Sri Krishna only by devotion not by wealth. The tradition of Tulabhar still goes on in Dwarka.

Rukmini at Pandharpur - According to Talking Myths portal, there is a story that brings her to Pandharpur in Maharashtra. It is said that she being the chief queen had to be respected by all other Gopis and queens. Once Radha did not get up to show respect to her while she was with Krishna. This annoyed her and she left Dwarka in anger and came to Dindirvan which is now Pandharpur. Krishna, his cows, Ganga, and Govardhan Parvat followed her. The two finally made up and served a feast of Kala – the dish made with curd and Maize to everyone present. The tradition of serving Kala still continues during the annual Pandharpur yatra.