The city of Dwaraka has a
very large and old
traditional history. Dwaraka was the capital
of the western coast of
Saurashtra. Dwaraka was
a large, well fortified
and the prosperous city
due to the sea trade
which prevailed in this
city. This region was
full of flowering and
fruit-bearing trees. Due
to fear of the attack by Jarasangh and Kaalayvan
on Mathura, Shri 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
said that the task can
be completed only if
Samudradev, the Lord of the sea provide some
land. Shri Krishna
worshipped Samudradev,
who pleased by the
prayers decided to gave
them the land measuring
12 yojans from the sea
near the western shores
of Saurashtra and thus
the Lord Vishwakarma
laid the foundation of
Dwaraka.
Lord Krishna later set
up his capital at Dwaraka, on the banks of
river Gomati.
This beautiful city was
also known as Dwaramati,
Dwarawati and Kushsthali.
It was a well planned
city and had well organized
six sectors, residential
and commercial zones,
wide roads, palaces and many public
utilities. A hall called
"Sudharma Sabha" was
built to hold public
meetings. The city was
one of the busiest ports
during the Mahabharata
period. After the end of
the war of Mahabharata, Shri Krishna lived for
36 years at Dwaraka. It
was also the land of the Ekalavya
and the saint Dronacharya. According to
the legends, the Dwaraka
city met a sudden end
due to the fury of the
sea. According to some
other legends,
immediately after the
death of the Lord
Krishna, Dwaraka
disappeared into the sea. Attempts are being still made
to rediscover the lost Dwaraka from the
sea. In the early
eighties, an important
archaeological site was
found at Dwaraka.
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