I went to Dwarka mainly to visit the temples. My plan was to see the Dwarkadhish temple and a few other spiritual places and spend some time by the sea. I did not plan any meals or make a list of restaurants. I simply ate wherever I could, between temple visits and travelling from one place to another. Even so, some of these meals turned out to be the best part of the trip.

Nevertheless, food turned out to be quite a remarkable part of my journey. The meals did not have complicated recipes and yet were very helpful. After our early darshan, it was very comforting to have a warm breakfast, and when the time for lunch came, I took pleasure in the heartfelt taste of a Gujarati meal which lacked the fuss. Selecting logically placed hotels in Dwarka also helped me to make a short stop-over, eat at the right time and keep my plans for temples free from rigid timing.

Thepla after morning darshan

My mornings often began early, especially when I wanted to visit Dwarkadhish Temple before the surroundings became busier. By the time I stepped out, I was ready for something filling but not overly heavy.

Thepla with curd and pickle worked perfectly. The thin, gently spiced flatbread was easy to eat and had enough flavour without needing several accompaniments. Fresh curd added a cool contrast, while a small amount of pickle made the meal livelier.

Read More: TAUCK VS. VIKING RIVER CRUISES: IS THE “ALL-INCLUSIVE” PRICE TAG ACTUALLY WORTH IT?

It was also a practical choice before travelling to temples outside central Dwarka. On days when I planned a longer outing, thepla kept me satisfied without slowing me down.

Gujarati thali at lunchtime

The Gujarati thali became the main meal of my day. It usually brought together rotli, dal, kadhi, rice, seasonal vegetables, farsan and a small sweet portion. Instead of focusing on one rich dish, the thali offered several flavours in balanced quantities.

I particularly enjoyed the kadhi, with its light texture and mildly sweet, tangy taste. It paired naturally with rice, while the vegetables and rotli made the meal more substantial.

Lunch also gave me a useful pause between temple visits. I could sit down, eat without rushing and plan the afternoon. When I compared hotels in Dwarka, I checked whether they served regional food or were within easy reach of restaurants offering traditional thalis.

Dhokla between temple stops

Dhokla was the easiest snack to fit into a busy day. Its soft texture and light seasoning made it suitable when I wanted something small between visits rather than another full meal.

I usually enjoyed it with green chutney and tea. The combination was simple, quick and satisfying enough to carry me through until dinner. It also gave me a reason to pause instead of moving continuously from one attraction to another.

What made dhokla memorable was not only its taste but also the moment in which I ate it. After walking through temple lanes or returning from the ghats, a fresh plate felt like a well-timed break.

Khichdi and kadhi after evening prayers

My dinner plans were affected by the evening visits to the temple. After a day of walking, travelling and enjoying a large lunch, I was in the mood for something simple and comforting.

The khichdi matched up well with my preference for evenings. It was easy on the palate and quite comforting, and the kadhi added just a little bit of tang.

This dish was the perfect way to wind down my evenings following the prayers or a stroll by the Gomti Ghat. The various hotels in the vicinity of the temple made it easy for me to have my dinner after the evening darshan without going anywhere else.

Mohanthal from a local sweet shop

Mohanthal was the one sweet I remembered long after leaving Dwarka. Made with gram flour, ghee and sugar, it had a rich flavour and a slightly grainy texture. A small portion was enough to enjoy it properly.

Read More: ITALY’S MOST ATMOSPHERIC CITIES FOR A REFINED STAY

I first tried it after lunch but later bought a modest box to take home. It travelled better than fresh milk-based sweets and felt like a fitting reminder of the trip.

Final thoughts

There was nothing at all distracting about the food I had. Rather, it was quite the contrary. Thepla came soon after the early darshan. The Gujarati thali was the midday meal, followed by dhokla and khichdi that ended the day.

I came to Dwarka thinking mostly of temples but left instead with memories of the delicious food that was part of my experience.