Dwarka - The Lost City

 

Dwaraka, an Indian city on its West Coast was submerged by the sea right after the death of Sri Krishna. The description about Dwarka's origin, development and demise are narrated poetically in ancient Indian texts such as Shrimad Bhagvatam, Mahabharata and various Puranas.  Many people regarded Dwarka's history as a grand metaphor, based on a story filled with wonderful myths. But in the early eighties an important archaeological site was found at the site of the legendary city of Lord Krishna.

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Situated in a region known as Saurashtra, at a point where the Gomti river meets the Arabian sea, this city has been known by many names such as: Dwaraka, the gateway to eternal happiness; Swarnapuri, the city of gold and Swarnadwarika, the golden gateway.  Before the legendary city of Dwaraka was discovered, many scholars believed that Mahabharata was only a myth, and it would be futile to look for Dwaraka in the sea.  However, recent archeological explorations tell a different story.

The architecture of the old Dwaraka was majestic and wonderful. The great poet Premanand described its splendid beauty and majesty in Sudamacarit.  Dwaraka is described in all its glory as the Golden City in Mahabharata, Skanda Purana, Vishnu Purana and Harivamsha.

Purana describes Dwarka as follows: "Fearing attack from Jarasangh and Kalayvan on Mathura, Sri Krishna and Yadavas left Mathura and arrived at the coast of Saurashtra. They decided to build their capital in the coastal region and invoke the Vishwakarma, the deity of construction. However, Vishwakarma says that the task can be completed only if Samudradeva, the Lord of the sea provided some land. Sri Krishna worshipped Samudradeva, who was pleased and gave them land measuring 12 yojans and the divine architect Vishwakarma build Dwaraka, a city in gold".  In Dwaraka, Krishna is supposed to have built a mighty kingdom on a site selected for him by Vishnu’s learned ‘vahan’, Garud. The city he built is supposed to have extended over 104 kms. It was well fortified and surrounded by a moat, spanned by bridges, which were capable to be removed quickly in the event of an enemy attack.

Archaeological excavations have unearthed artifacts that prove that modern Dwaraka is the sixth settlement of the name on this site. The earlier cities have been, at various times, swallowed by the sea. The waves of the sea still lap the shores of this famous town, lending scenic beauty to this important pilgrimage destination.

The Dwarkadhish temple, dedicated to Sri Krishna, is the focal point of all pilgrimages. Parts of it date from the 12th-13th century and others from the 16th, but the Jag Mandir, its sanctum sanctorum, is supposed to be 2,500 years old. The hall in front is richly carved and supported by 60 massive pillars, each one hewn out of a single stone slab. Many of the sculptures date from the Maurya, Gupta and Chalukya periods. Some of the subjects are of Jaina and Buddhist origin. The temple is 157 feet high.

Another important pilgrimage site in the ancient city of Dwarka is Gomti ghat. The myth attached to the original temple says that it was built overnight at the instructions of Vajranabh, the great-grandson of Krishna, by the divine craftsman Vishvakarma.

Archaeologists are undecided about the date of construction of the temple that exists now, but it is generally believed that it was rebuilt in the 10th or 11th century AD after the original temple was destroyed, probably during the Muslim invasions.

Photo credit: The History Channel