The story of the creation and destruction of Shri Krishna’s Dwarkapuri and the ongoing restoration

As per Hindu scriptures, the Universe and the Earth, along with humans and other creatures, undergo repeated cycles of creation and destruction (pralaya). This perpetual creation and destruction of the universe can be described with the Sanskrit word, LEELA, meaning “the child-like expression of God.

Evidently, the Idol of Bhagwan Nataraja symbolises this “Creation & Destruction” of the universe. Now, it seems that time has come to witness one of the greatest creations of Shri Krishna, Dwarkapuri, its journey from start to end, and if possible, try to restore the graced land of Dwarkadhish.

The Restoration of Dwarkapuri is around the corner

Earlier this year, the Modi government issued directions to revive ASI’s underwater wing for exploration in four states. Established in 2001, the underwater wing of ASI has been defunct since 2011 due to “lack of experts” at its top.

Reportedly, after the government’s decision, the underwater wing of ASI will undertake several excavation projects. It includes excavations in Dwarka (Gujarat), several sites in the Cauvery delta (Tamil Nadu), and sites along the coast in Maharashtra and Odisha. However, the Ram Setu site was not included in the said projects.

Now, the question arises as to why is the revival of a wing of ASI and excavation projects so significant?

This will restart the excavation and possible future restoration of Dwarka Puri. The inundated city of Dwarkapuri holds great significance in the way that it was an empire in itself. It was the seat of the influential incarnation of Bhagwan Narayan himself, that is, Shri Krishna. So, let’s understand the tumultuous journey of Dwarka Puri and why it badly needs restoration.

Dwarka Puri: ‘Kanha ki nagri’:

5000 years ago, Dwarka Puri was established by Dwarkadhish Shri Krishna. It is said that after Shri Krishna killed Kansa, Jarasandha led relentless attacks on Mathura. In order to save the innocent citizens from these insane attacks, Shri Krishna left Mathura and established a new city in the plundered, ruined city in the Dwarka region. The city was built on a piece of land that was reclaimed from the sea. It is claimed that Shri Krishna made his ancestral land habitable again.

From the city of Dwarka, Shri Krishna took over the reins of the whole country. At that time, Dwarka became the capital of the kingdom. Powerful rulers came to seek Shri Krishna’s advice.

It is pertinent to note that the city of Dwarka is one of the Char Dhams that were established by Adi Shankaracharya. Additionally, the city of Dwarka is also one of the holy Sapta puris (seven holy pilgrimage centres in India). All these things make it a highly revered pilgrimage site for Hindu devotees.

It is believed that the original Dwarkadhish temple was built by Krishna’s grandson, Vajranabha, over the Hari-Griha (Krishna’s residential place). But the original structure was destroyed by Mahmud Begada in 1472. The present Chalukya style of the Dwarkadhish temple was established in the 16th century.

There are two entrances to the temple—the North and South Entrances. The main entrance (north entrance) is called “Moksha Dwara” (Door to Salvation). The south entrance is called “Swarga Dwara” (gate to Heaven).

In the sanctum sanctorum of the Dwarkadhish temple, the black-colored quadrangular statue of Bhagwan Krishna sits on a silver throne. The devotees affectionately call him “Ranchhodji”. The deity is holding a conch shell, a wheel, a mace, and a lotus in his hands. The Murti is adorned with precious ornaments that captivate the devotees.

ASI excavation will stamp out the veracity of popular legends

The ASI excavation can be helpful in finding answers to many pertinent questions like- What led to the inundation of the blessed Dwarka Puri? Or who destroyed it? Or was it a result of a natural calamity?

There are many legends behind the destruction of Dwarka Puri. Among them, the most popular legend is that of the Mausul festival. The destruction of Dwarka Puri started with the curse of Gandhari, mother of the hundred Kauravas who were slain in the Mahabharata Dharma Yuddha.

Gandhari vented her angst at Shri Krishna and blamed him, saying that because of him the Kauravas perished. Later, she cursed Shri Krishna that the Yadav clan would perish in the same way, her children perished. Krishna accepted the curse. Gandhari, later, realised her mistake, but the curse couldn’t be completely reversed.

After some time, warriors like Satyaki and Kritavarma gathered in Dwarka Puri. They had fought in the war from the Kauravas’ side but had survived the war. As per the legend, the conversation, which started on a lighter note, soon turned into a violent clash.

The Yaduvanshis started quarrelling among themselves. In fact, they didn’t even pay heed to Shri Krishna and Balarama. Both of them realised that the eras were changing and the time had come for them to leave the human body.

Soon, Balarama left for the pilgrimage, and Shri Krishna was absorbed in YogNidra. A hunter mistakenly thought Krishna’s feet were the face of a deer and shot an arrow. The arrow pierced Shri Krishna’s feet, and he left his human body and parted to his heavenly abode. It is believed that the Dwarka puri drowned exactly seven days after Krishna left his human form.

In this way, after 36 years of the fateful Mahabharata Dharma Yuddha, the curse came true. The Yadu dynasty perished owing to the curse of Gandhari.

Is the inundated city a myth or were there any findings that revealed its existence?

It is said that Kali Yuga started after Shri Krishna left his human form. The giant sea waves soon took over the city of Dwarka. For a very long time, well-known researchers tried to discover the secret of Dwarka as described in the Puranas. But they hardly got any success.

In the 1930s, the search to find submerged parts of Dwarka Puri began, and the first archaeological excavation took place in 1963. Under the direction of H.D. Sankalia, the first excavation of Dwarka City was done by Deccan College Pune, the Department of Archeology and the Gujarat Government.

During this time, pottery was recovered from the city, hinting that the city could be 3,000 years old. About a decade later, the Underwater Archaeology Wing of the ASI found some copper coins and granite structures in the sea.

A partial success was achieved in the 2005 campaign. The campaign aimed at unravelling the secrets of Dwarka was assisted by the Indian Navy. During the expedition, mutilated stones were found in the depths of the sea, and about 200 other samples were also collected from here.

However, it has yet to be determined whether this is the same city in which Shri Krishna settled. Even today, scientists are engaged in solving this mystery imprisoned in the depths of the ocean.

In this Dwarka Puri, there is also a Sharda-Math established by Adi Guru Shankaracharya. He had built four monasteries in the four corners of India. One of them is the Sharda-Math. Even today, Adi Shankaracharya is considered the overlord of mathematics.The circumambulation of the city of Dwarka begins at the temple of Ranchodji.

Just like the previous underwater archaeological excavations, a new expedition by the underwater wing of ASI will cover many more new findings and unravel the complete truth of the Dwarka Puri temple. Once its roots are scientifically traced to the actual legend of Dwarka Puri, it will create a new fervour to restore the dilapidated city.

For a long time, naysayers kept rejecting the existence of Ram Setu and, audaciously, tried to destroy it for better navigational services. But now steps are being taken to restore all the cultural heritage of the country. In that regard, why should the city established by Shri Krishna himself be left behind?