Krishna’s Dwarka: The mysterious submersion of this lost city

The ancient city of Dwarka, traditionally called Dvaraka, is a place of immense significance in Hindu mythology and history. It has also long captured the imagination of historians, archaeologists, and devotees alike. Reason being, the ancient city of Dwarka, which was created by the Hindu deity Krishna, was believed to have submerged under the Arabian Sea post Krishna’s demise.

To understand this, one needs to know that this ancient city once stood in the region where River Gomti and the Arabian Sea met.

As per the legends, this now sunken city was once the dwelling place of Lord Krishna. He was not the king of Dwarka, but was the one who created it. It is believed that Krishna asked Samudra, the ocean god, to lend him 12 yojans of land for the city. The ocean god agreed and gave Krishna the land, which was earlier known as Kushasthali. Later, Krishna renamed it to Dwaravati or Dwarka.

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It is believed that the ancient city of Dwarka was built with the help of divine architects and was often referred to as the Golden City. The city's richness was amplified by the presence of Krishna. Back in the day, Krishna’s presence in the city brought pilgrims from places far and wide. Interestingly, this trend continues till today. For the followers of Krishna, the present-day city of Dwarka is one of the most important places of pilgrimage.


All opulence aside, it is also believed that the city of Dwarka got submerged right after Krishna left his earthly abode. His departure from the world marked the end of Dvapara Yug, and the beginning of Kali Yug or the Kalyug (the Age of Kali). With the starting of Kalyug, the city of Dwarka also submerged, taking all residents with it.



Though it is highly debated among scholars, with some saying that the submersion of Dwarka is a metaphorical one. Some believe that the sea swallowed the city for sure. If we look at the former, it is interesting to note that the city of Dwarka was a port city and it could have ended in a natural disaster like coastal erosion overtime.

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The mystery of Dwarka's existence, both as a thriving city and its eventual submersion, has driven numerous archaeological expeditions along the Indian coastline. These expeditions brought forward submerged walls that were once a part of a fortified city, pottery, sculptures, and artifacts.


Today, Dwarka continues to be a popular center of spiritual pilgrimage. The present-day Dwarka’s famous Dwarkadhish Temple, also known as Jagat Mandir, stands as a prominent place of worship and landmark.