Legend. As per Hindu legend, Dwarka was built on a piece of land by Krishna that was reclaimed from the sea. According to the Mahabharata, the sage Durvasa once visited Krishna and his wife Rukmini. The sage wished that the pair took him to their palace, demanding that they pull his chariot like horses.
Hindu epic Mahabharata, King Jarasandha, not Krishna, was the one who attacked Mathura 17 times. Krishna and his Yadava forces successfully repelled these attacks. However, Krishna ultimately chose to relocate his kingdom to Dwaraka to avoid further conflict with Jarasandha.
Dwarka, a prominent city in the Saurashtra region of Gujarat, India, holds a significant place in Hindu mythology and history. Legend says it was built by Vishwakarma at the behest of Lord Krishna and later became his kingdom. The city is believed to have been submerged by the sea after Krishna's departure, and archaeological findings suggest an ancient city dating back to 2000 BC. Today, Dwarka is a holy city, home to the Dwarkadhish Temple and the site of ongoing marine archaeological explorations.
Mythological Significance:
Lord Krishna's Abode:
Dwarka is traditionally regarded as the capital city of Lord Krishna's kingdom, where he resided and ruled.
Submergence:
The Mahabharata narrates the tale of Dwarka's eventual submergence under the sea after Krishna's death.
Divine Architect:
The city's construction is attributed to Vishwakarma, the divine architect, with the aid of Lord Krishna.
Historical Significance:
Ancient Port:
Excavations have revealed Dwarka to have been a significant port city, playing a crucial role in trade between India and Arabia from the 15th to 18th centuries.
Trade and Commerce:
The city was a major trade hub, serving as a vital gateway for foreign sailors entering India.
Architectural Wonders:
Dwarka was known for its grand palaces, temples, and well-planned streets, reflecting its prosperity and importance.
Archaeological Findings:
Marine Archaeology:
Offshore excavations have unearthed remnants of an ancient city, including stone anchors and other artifacts, confirming its historical existence.
Bet Dwarka:
Bet Dwarka, an island near Dwarka, is also believed to have been a part of Lord Krishna's kingdom and is considered a sacred site.
Ongoing Research:
Researchers continue to explore the underwater city of Dwarka, seeking further evidence of its past glory and the secrets of its demise.
Modern Dwarka:
Pilgrimage Site:
Dwarka remains a major pilgrimage site for Hindus, attracting devotees to the Dwarkadhish Temple and other religious locations.
Tourist Destination:
The city and its surroundings offer a blend of religious, historical, and cultural attractions, making it a popular tourist destination.
Marine Ecosystem:
The waters surrounding Dwarka provide a unique opportunity for scuba diving and exploring the vibrant coral reefs.
mystery of Dwarka revolves around the legend of the city, said to be Lord Krishna's kingdom, being submerged in the Arabian Sea after his departure. While this event is a central part of Hindu mythology, questions persist about whether it was a literal submersion or a metaphorical one representing the end of an era. Archaeological evidence has uncovered submerged artifacts and structures, fueling the debate about the city's existence and its fate.
Elaboration:
Mythological Submersion:
Hindu texts, like the Mahabharata and Bhagavata Purana, describe Dwarka as a prosperous city established by Lord Krishna. Legends say the city, along with its inhabitants, was swallowed by the sea upon Krishna's departure, marking the beginning of the Kali Yuga.
Scientific Theories:
Researchers suggest that geological events like earthquakes or tsunamis, or coastal erosion, may have contributed to Dwarka's submersion.
Archaeological Evidence:
Underwater explorations in the Arabian Sea have uncovered structures and artifacts that support the notion of a submerged city.
Ongoing Debate:
Scholars continue to debate whether Dwarka's submersion was a literal event or a metaphorical representation of the end of an era.
Dwarkadhish Temple:
The Dwarkadhish Temple in present-day Dwarka is a significant religious site, and some believe it occupies the original location of Krishna's kingdom.
The city of Dwarka, a significant location in Hindu mythology and believed to be the city of Lord Krishna, is said to have gone underwater due to a combination of factors: divine curses, the beginning of Kali Yuga, and the sinking of the land following Lord Krishna's departure. Some stories also suggest natural disasters like earthquakes or rising sea levels contributed to the submergence.
Mythological Accounts:
Divine Curses:
One theory suggests Dwarka was submerged due to a curse, perhaps from Gandhari, Krishna's aunt, who cursed him after the Kurukshetra war.
Kali Yuga:
The submergence is also linked to the beginning of Kali Yuga, a new era in Hindu cosmology after Lord Krishna's departure.
Lord Krishna's Departure:
Many believe Dwarka's submergence was a natural consequence of Lord Krishna's death, either due to a divine act or as part of a larger plan.
The End of the Yadava Clan:
The submergence is also seen as the end of the Yadava clan, Krishna's lineage, in Hindu mythology.
Natural Explanations:
Geological Events:
Some believe that geological activity like earthquakes or coastal erosion caused the land to sink, submerging Dwarka beneath the waves.
Rising Sea Levels:
Changes in sea levels, potentially due to geological disturbances or other natural phenomena, could have also played a role in the submergence.
Historical Context:
Dwarka as a Port City:
Archaeological evidence suggests Dwarka was an important port city, and some believe the city was built on reclaimed land, making it vulnerable to rising sea levels or other coastal changes.
Archaeological Discoveries:
Archaeologists have found evidence of a fortified foundation and other structures that suggest the city was once a thriving settlement.
In summary, the submergence of Dwarka is attributed to a combination of mythical and natural factors, including divine curses, the beginning of Kali Yuga, Lord Krishna's departure, and potentially geological events or changing sea levels.
submerged city of Dwarka is estimated to be over 9,000 years old, potentially older than the oldest known settlements in the subcontinent. Some theories suggest it was built around 3500 years ago and submerged later due to changing sea levels. However, the exact date of its submersion and the age of the city itself are still subjects of debate among scientists and historians.
After Lord Krishna's death, his body was cremated, but his heart remained and was later immersed in the Yamuna River, along with the ashes of his brother, Balarama. The burning heart was believed to have transformed into a solid, iron-like object that was later placed within the Jagannath idol at the Puri temple. The city of Dwarka, where Krishna's body was cremated, was also believed to have been submerged in the ocean shortly after.
Here's a more detailed breakdown:
Cremation and the Burning Heart:
Following Krishna's death, his body was cremated by Arjuna, along with Balarama's body. However, Krishna's heart did not burn but remained intact, seemingly as a solid, metal-like object.
Immersion in the Yamuna:
The ashes of Krishna and Balarama, along with the burning heart, were taken to the Yamuna River by Arjuna, where they were immersed.
Dwarka's Submergence:
As soon as Dwarka was left by Arjuna and the remaining Yadavas, the city was engulfed by the sea.
The Jagannath Temple and the Heart:
Devotees of Krishna are believed to have carried the heart towards the east, eventually reaching Puri, Odisha. The heart was then incorporated into the Jagannath idol in the Puri temple.
The Puri Jagannath Temple:
The Jagannath idol is believed to contain the heart of Krishna, and the idols are replaced every twelve years in a ritual called Navakalevara to minimize damage to the heart, according to Idolkart™.
Yes, evidence of an ancient underwater city, potentially Dwarka, has been found in the Arabian Sea off the coast of Gujarat, India. Archaeological explorations have uncovered stone structures, pottery, and other artifacts that suggest a city-state existed in the region. However, definitively proving that this is the mythical Dwarka, as described in Hindu scriptures, remains a point of ongoing debate among experts.
to popular belief, Lord Krishna's heart is believed to reside within the Jagannath Puri Temple in Odisha, India. Specifically, it's said to be located inside the body of the Lord Jagannath idol. This belief is part of the temple's rich mythology and is celebrated during the sacred idol replacement ceremony.
tures, Lord Krishna left his mortal body at the transition point between the Dvapara Yuga and the Kali Yuga. This transition is considered to have marked the end of the Dvapara Yuga and the beginning of the Kali Yuga.
