Search for Dwarka Underway

The quest to explore the land of Lord Krishna, Dwarka, has been revived. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) has resumed its research on the submerged city of Dwarka under the waters of the Arabian Sea. After nearly two decades, the ASI's affiliated division, the Underwater Archaeology Wing (UAW), has commenced fresh excavations to uncover more details about the region related to Krishna’s kingdom.

Led by Additional Director General of Archaeology, Professor Alok Trivedi, the team consists of five archaeologists, including three women: Aparajita Sharma, Poonam Wind, and Rajkumari Birsina. The Ministry of Culture has revealed that the team is focused on unveiling the secrets of Dwarka for the world to discover.

The Significance of Dwarka in Hindu Mythology

In Hindu scriptures and epics, the city of Dwarka holds immense importance. It is regarded as one of the seven Moksha cities and the karmabhoomi of Lord Krishna. According to legend, Krishna abandoned Mathura to protect his people from the attacks of Jarasandha, eventually establishing the beautiful city of Dwarka at the confluence of the Gomti River and the Arabian Sea. The city was believed to be constructed with the help of the divine architect Vishwakarma. It is said that after Krishna's departure, the city submerged into the sea.

What Has Been Discovered So Far?

The search for the city of Dwarka has intrigued archaeologists for years. In the 1930s, the first attempts were made by Heranand Shastri to uncover the secrets of the submerged city. Excavations began in 1963 under the leadership of J.M. Nanavati and H.D. Sankalia. Between 1969-70 and 1983-90, underwater explorations uncovered ruins, and several artifacts were identified by marine archaeologists. The most recent excavation took place from 2005-07 under the supervision of the UAW. These studies revealed that there were structured remains, and remarkable man-made structures existed underwater.

Ongoing Research and Future Objectives

According to mythology, Lord Krishna’s Dwarka city is believed to have submerged into the sea. Archaeological studies, however, have confirmed the existence of ancient city remnants underwater. The crucial questions that remain are: Is this submerged city indeed Krishna’s Dwarka? What era do these ruins belong to? What are the details of the structures found? The Underwater Archaeology Wing’s current research aims to fill the gap between mythology and history. The initial focus is on the region near the Gomti River, and further studies will be conducted step by step.