Bhalka Tirth (transl. Bhalka pilgrimage), situated in Veraval on Gujarat’s western coast in India, is where Krishna breathed his last. It is stated that the hunter Jara killed Krishna with a shot of an arrow to Krishna’s foot, who subsequently incurred serious and eventually fatal wounds.
Bhalka Tirth History
- Bhalka lies only 4 km from Somnath Temple, a Jyotirlinga, in Veraval, Gujarat, India.
- The place is also ancient in history since Prabhas Patan was inhabited during the Indus Valley Civilisation, 2000–1200 BCE.
- Location: Veraval, near Somnath, Gujarat
Significance: The spot where Lord Krishna completed his worldly journey.
Bhalka Tirth is one of the holiest pilgrimages for those who worship Lord Krishna. As per the ancient holy books, it is the place where Lord Krishna shed his mortal form after he was struck by an arrow of a hunter.
Lord Krishna went to the forests of Prabhas Patan (modern-day Veraval) after the Mahabharata War. Through a curse and internal strife, the Yadava clan was vanquished. After having fulfilled his responsibilities on this planet, Lord Krishna rested in a peepal tree at this place.
When this was happening, a hunter by the name of Jara, mistook Krishna’s partially seen foot as a deer and fired an arrow. On realizing his error, Jara pleaded for mercy. Krishna, smiling, forgave him and explained that his death was predestined in the cosmic plan of Lord Vishnu.
Distance from Bangalore to Bhalka Temple:
By Road:
Approx. 1,850 km
Travel Time: 30 to 35 hours (route dependent)
By Train:
No direct train to Veraval from Bangalore
You can go by train to Ahmedabad and then train or bus to Veraval
Estimated time: 36 to 40 hours overall
By Flight:
Bangalore to Diu or Rajkot (nearest airports)
From Diu Airport: approx. 90 km by road
From Rajkot Airport: approx. 190 km by road
✈️ Travel time: 7–10 hours by flight and road.
Design Highlights:
- Elegantly carved pillars and arches
- Serene open courtyard with holy trees (such as Peepal tree)
- Main sanctum featuring a murti (idol) of Lord Krishna resting beneath a tree, symbolizing the instant when he abandoned his physical body
- Simple shikhara (tower) design in contrast to large temples such as Somnath
- Pristine, peaceful environment perfect for reflection and meditation.
Surrounding Places to Visit:
- Somnath Temple: Just 4 km from Bhalka Tirth
- Triveni Sangam: Sacred confluence of rivers within reach
- Dehotsarg Tirth: Where Krishna is said to have become one with the divine.
