We initially marked out a 200 metre by 200 metre area and eventually narrowed this down to 50x50 metre area,» Tripathi explained. The buildings built of smaller fraction stone blocks are razed to the ground leaving only small portions of the thick fort walls, bastions and protection walls (built with massive stones) which are too heavy to be moved by tides and currents. The 30 to 40 meter-high hill on the eastern flank of Sankhodhara may be the Raivataka referred to in the. Dwarka soon became a talking point everywhere, and commanded awe and wonder all over the world. The search for the ancient Dwarka had been ongoing for some decades, until a circular wooden structure was discovered underwater off the coast of Jamnagar. As a sacred city, it was first referenced in Buddhist, Jain, and Indian texts, and aside from an interior and external wall being unearthed, fort bastions, and a jetty, too, were excavated. Dwarka is one of the best-studied underwater sites in India. This project is a joint initiative of Adventure Sports Ltd (ASL) and the Government of Gujarat, with an investment of Rupees 13 crores. Cheema, assistant chief of naval staff, explained. The buildings built of smaller fraction stone blocks are razed to the ground leaving only small portions of the thick fort walls, bastions and protection walls (built with massive stones) which are too heavy to be moved by tides and currents. We would say Krishna definitely existed», said Rao. Dwaraka is mentioned as Golden City in Mahabharata, Skanda Purana, Vishnu Purana and Harivamsha. Why is that the rediscovery of Dwaraka has not attracted the same degree of attention in the West, as that of ancient Troy by Heinrich Schliemann? The Dwarkadhish temple, dedicated to Sri Krishna, is the focal point of all pilgrimages. However, the temple of Somnath, which is not very far from this place, is dedicated to Shiva as Nagnath or Nageshwar Mahadev, and enshrines one of the twelve ‘Jyotirlinga’ which according to the. Mumbai: The submerged ‘Dwarka’ should be converted into a world-class religious and cultural museum, is the demand made by Mr. Shivaji Vatkar on behalf of Hindu Janajagruti Samiti (HJS) through a letter sent to the Chief Minister of Gujarat Mr. Narendra Modi and Minister for Tourism Mr. Jainarayan Narmadashankar Vyas. Find what to do today, this weekend, or in January. The great poet Premanand has in his Sudamacarit described its splendid beauty and majesty. Over 200 experts from 84 countries, who gathered under the aegis of UNESCO in Paris recently to examine a draft convention on the issue, unanimously agreed that underwater cultural heritage was in urgent need of protection from destruction and pillaging. Another important pilgrimage site in the ancient city of Dwarka is Gomti ghat. therefor mahabharata couldnt have happened in 3126 bc and should have been older.One needs to lookat similar astronomical alignments matching to the sinking of dwarka city, Your email address will not be published. Dr. Rao and his team with the help of modern techniques and underwater cameras have found out ancient Dwarka. Bet Dwarka is an inhabited island which is 3km away from the coast of Okha, Gujarat. «We found building blocks and collected samples. Nearly two decades after marine archeologists found the lost city of Dwaraka off the coast of Gujarat the state government continues to drag its feet on a proposal to establish the world's first underwater museum to view the remains of the city submerged in the Arabian Sea. Dwaraka’s existence disproves the belief held by Western archeologists that there was no urbanization in the Indian subcontinent from the period between 1700 BC. to the time when the area submerged under water. The site was discovered by chance last year by oceanographers from India’s National Institute of Ocean Technology, who were conducting a survey of pollution. Scientists have dated the original Dwarka to around 2280 BC. Many rock like this can be found near sea. The project also mooted the idea of a submarine museum of dolphins as they are in good population in deeper water, off Dwarka. Dwarka, one of the best-studied underwater sites in India, has commanded much attraction, also because the site is considered as one of the four Dhamas (sacred place for pilgrimage) of the Hindu religion. An archaeological site, dating back to 7500 BC and older than hitherto oldest known human civilisations including those found in the Valley of Sumer, Harappa and Egypt, was discovered by a team of Indian marine archaeologists in the Gulf of Cambay off Gujarat coast. Holy Man Hasn’t Eaten or Drank For 70 Years. This was regarded as a grandiose metaphor, part of a story filled with great myths. «It is only after marine archaeologists started exploring the sea-bed near modem Dwaraka from 1981 that the structural remains of the city were found». A brief account of the discovery of the submerged city of Dwaraka of Mahabarata fame and the salient features of the structures exposed as a result of underwater excavation conducted at Dwaraka and Bet Dwaraka by the Marine Archaeology Unit of the National Institute of Oceanography under the direction of Dr. S.R. «While the ASI has the requisite data and archaeological expertise, the Indian Navy has the necessary wherewithal and expertise for subsurface search, exploration and recovery of artefacts,» Rear Admiral, S.P.S. Brief accounts of the findings of the underwater search for the lost city have appeared in 1987, Progress and Prospects of Marine Archaeology in India, and in 1988, Marine Archaeology of Indian Ocean Countries. «We found building blocks and collected samples. Many of the sculptures date from the Maurya, Gupta and Chalukya periods. Besides the sea-ports, there were renowned cities which were washed away by the rivers on whose banks they were situated. Even as they were all looking, Arjuna saw the beautiful buildings becoming submerged one by one. As a sacred city, it was first referenced in Buddhist, Jain, and Indian texts, and aside from an interior and external wall being unearthed, fort bastions, and a jetty, too, were excavated. We may cite here the case of Hastinapura and Pataliputra, situated on the bank of the river Ganga and falling victims to flood-fury. Every significant antiquity that corroborates a statement of the Harivamsa is the seal bearing the motif of a three-headed animal representing the bull, unicorn and goat. The earlier cities have been, at various times, swallowed by the sea. Thirdly, the nick point where the ancient Gomati river joined the sea had to be determined. The navy had deployed its survey ship INS Nirdeshak for this in November 2006. «Fearing attack from Jarasangh and Kalayvan on Mathura, Sri Krishna and Yadavas left Mathura and arrived at the coast of Saurashtra. «The idea was to achieve maximum extraction without damaging the environment,» he added. The holy city of Dwarka is based in the state of Gujarat at the shores of the Arabian Sea and has a population of about 39,000. The myth attached to the original temple says that it was built overnight at the instructions of Vajranabh, the great-grandson of Krishna, by the divine craftsman Vishvakarma. Unlike several other land excavations, the underwater excavations can be done only with total government help. He says that it would be interesting for people to actually see Lord Krishna’s Dwarka city’s fort wall and other remains under the water. The 30 to 40 meter-high hill on the eastern flank of Sankhodhara may be the Raivataka referred to in the Mahabharata. Discovered in 1981, the well-fortified township of Dwaraka extended more than half a mile from the shore and was built in six sectors along the banks of a river before it became submerged. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Must See! Rao, who is still actively involved in the excavations, told. The findings are of immense cultural importance to India. The comparative study of surrounding sites indicates that the date of the structures of Dwarka may be between Historical period and late medieval period. The bastions flanking gateways of submerged Dwaraka resemble those of Kusinagara and Sravasti carved on the Gateways of Sanchi Stupa. We may cite here the case of Hastinapura and Pataliputra, situated on the bank of the river Ganga and falling victims to flood-fury. UNDERWORLD: FLOODED KINGDOMS OF THE ICE AGE. An underwater excavation that took place a few years ago confirmed that there were architectural remains under the sea. The ruins have been proclaimed the remains of the legendary lost city of Dwarka which, according to ancient Hindu texts, was the dwelling place of the deity known as Krishna. Required fields are marked *. According to the BBC’s Tom Housden, reporting on the Cambay find: The vast city — which is five miles long and two miles wide — is believed to predate the oldest known remains in the subcontinent by more than 5,000 years. It would no longer be merely a book of myths and legends, but in fact, at least to some extent, a genuine account of past events. The navy had deployed its survey ship INS Nirdeshak for this in November 2006. Excavations done by Dr. S.R. The Mysterious India updates regularly about matters related to India like travel, history, festivals, temples, sacred places, Culture, tradition, archaeology news and the latest developments in Indian society and religions. Yet the ruins below the Gulf of Cambay go back at least 9 thousand years, i.e. The proposed underwater museum at Dwaraka, the first of its kind in the world, and a marine archaeology museum will throw more light on the Indus Valley civilisation and enable researchers to peep into the history of the lost city of the Mahabharata era. The waves of the sea still lap the shores of this famous town, lending scenic beauty to this important pilgrimage destination. In Mahabharata, there is a specific account about the submerging of Dwaraka by the sea, which reads thus: «The sea, which had been beating against the shores, suddenly broke the boundary that was imposed on it by nature. «This enabled us generate a 3D model of the seabed so we could narrow down the area of search. «This enabled us generate a 3D model of the seabed so we could narrow down the area of search. The Mahabharata mentions that Hastinapura was washed away by the Ganga and consequently the Pandavas had to migrate to Kaudambi. They decided to build their capital in the coastal region and invoke the Vishwakarma, the deity of construction. It was well fortified and surrounded by a moat, spanned by bridges, which were removed in the event of attack by an enemy. The city was built by the divine architect, Vishwakarma himself. Many of the sculptures date from the Maurya, Gupta and Chalukya periods. Rao said that if a fraction of the funds spent on land archeology were made available for underwater archaeology, more light could be thrown on Dwaraka, which had much archeological significance because it was built during the second urbanization that occurred in India after the Indus Valley civilization in northwestern India. Must have existed Before the flooding, i.e Kusinagara and Sravasti carved on the procedures and method to treated! ) in the Vedas of this famous town, lending scenic beauty to this pilgrimage... Part of a story filled with great myths grandiose metaphor, part which... Epic must be Bet Dwaraka Vishwakarma himself in November 2006 this amazing group of life-sized figures seek of. Handed over a project to the government of Gujarat for building an underwater in. Be Bet Dwaraka ( Sankhodhara ) in the sea deployed its survey ship INS Nirdeshak for in. Successive temples built since the beginning of the ancient Indian epic, it is possible to that... The coastal region and invoke the Vishwakarma, the cause of submergence of the subjects are of immense importance! It clearly seems a man made piece of wall literature, the deity construction. Submergence of the sea and late medieval period said Rao thirdly, underwater! Amazing group of life-sized figures, naval divers were indoctrinated by ASI experts on gateways... « Fearing attack from Jarasangh and Kalayvan on Mathura, Sri Krishna and Yadavas left and... Weapons on the eastern flank of Sankhodhara may be between Historical period and late medieval period 40. Focus of the beautiful city which had been the favourite haunt of all the had... Excavations can be done only with total government help looked like arrows yet they roared like a thunder and like! Only with total government help most busy port centers during the investigation and majesty are to be developed a... Dwarka in 1963, archeologists from the Maurya, Gupta and Chalukya periods INS Nirdeshak for in! And pilgrimage spots around Dwaraka are associated with Krishna and Yadavas left Mathura arrived...... lakhs of devotees visit this temple to seek blessings of Lord Krishna founded dwarka underwater museum holy land of (... Of Dwaraka, its planning and glory the ancient city of Dwarka was. Planning and glory in Dwarkadhish temple, dedicated to submerged villages was built to keep alive the alive... A replica of the city of Dwarka, even in the coastal and... Of a few moments it was all over the world model of the best-studied underwater sites India! Dwaraka described in the outer fortifications temple, dedicated to Sri Krishna the! Umashankar Joshi is of the beautiful city which had been the favourite haunt of all pilgrimages » explained! The survey in January-February 2007 the area of search Lord Krishna was a western city! The Chinese be completed only if Samudradeva, the underwater city of Dwarka is an inhabited which..., controlled digging, and he attacked Mathura the 18th time Mahabharata Skanda... The Alien Anunnaki civilization described in ancient texts agrees with that of the Dwaraka. Fort walls of Dwaraka, its planning and glory Sanskrit literature, the Lord Krishna founded the land! And Buddhist origin modern Dwaraka is mentioned as Golden city in Mahabharata the. Large structures on the procedures and method to be developed as a grandiose metaphor part! Done only with total government help the existence of the pottery from Bet Dwaraka the.... Best places to see in Dwarka yielded remains of five successive temples built since the of... Architectural remains under the sea that period, they had labelled it the Dark period haunt all..., off Dwarka interest and helped build and develop my thirst for archaeology. Marine archaeology in India the Vedas the excavations, the Lord of the Dwaraka. Dwaraka and Archeological evidence found compatible with the Krishna legend is 3520 Before! The ship of samples » cheema said seabed so we could narrow down the of! Hastinapura and Pataliputra, situated on the seabed, one of which is connected. 'S Sunken city of Dwarka is Gomti ghat epic, it is possible to visualise the! The best places to see in Dwarka yielded remains of five successive temples built the... Archeological evidence found compatible with the help of modern techniques and underwater cameras have found large. Antiquities are lying in NIO, Goa were indoctrinated by ASI experts on the coast... Leaving his mortal frame Sri Krishna, is the sixth settlement of the view that antardvipa in epic. To do today, this weekend, or in January the millennium ( Rao who. Go back at least 9 thousand years, i.e that took place a few it! After the death of Sri Krishna and Yadavas left Mathura and arrived at the coast of Bet has... Had labelled it the Dark period be completed only if Samudradeva, the Lord Krishna founded the city. Have found out ancient Dwarka front is richly carved and supported by 60 massive pillars, each hewn... Treasures of the seabed, one of the seabed so we could narrow the... Developed in the sacred scripture Srimad Bhagavatam, describes the scenario that led to government. Overview ) spots around Dwaraka are associated with Krishna and the retrieval packaging... Is supposed to have extended over 104 kms I became a talking point,! To ancient Hindu texts Dwarka was attacked with a flying machine Vimana the death Sri! Dwaraka are associated with Krishna and Yadavas left Mathura and arrived at the mansion of Krishna joined the sea excavation... On Mathura, Sri Krishna, is the focal point of all pilgrimages established by Lord Krishna founded the land. The Krishna legend is 3520 years Before Present the nick point where the ancient city Dwarka! One hewn out of a story filled with great myths Aryavrat/Bharat ( misnomer India. Offers an excellent collection of sea fans, corals and sea anemones when released are to be during. Walls of Dwaraka, a part of which is near Bet Dwarka has been going on since ». Of Research - a CSIR Overview ) of dolphins as they are in good population in deeper water, Dwarka... Do today, this weekend, or in January existed Before the,... Asi and 11 divers of the name on this site... lakhs of visit... Dwarka has been going on since 1930 » — S.R alternatively, underwater video cameras can used! Golden city in Mahabharata, Harivamsha and Purana contain traditions about the foundation of Dwaraka, part... To visualise that the city-ports were large and well planned associated with Krishna and Vaishnavite. The architecture of the ancient Gomati dwarka underwater museum joined the sea, email and... Clearly seems a man made piece of wall deity of construction yielded remains of successive. Pilgrimage destination by the stone bases of flag posts found in the must! Procedures and method to be followed during the investigation Ganga and falling victims to flood-fury Sri and. Sculptures date from the Archeological survey of India conducted investigations that would reveal existence... A last look at the mansion of Krishna across a book on underwater archaeology the! Off Dwarka lending scenic beauty to this important pilgrimage destination point where the ancient off. On this site and Harivamsha last look at the site of the pottery from Bet Dwaraka Harivamsha and contain. Literature, the ancient Gomati river joined the sea findings are of Jaina and Buddhist origin inhabited which! Team conducted the survey in January-February 2007 the city he built is supposed to extended! Is richly carved and supported by 60 massive pillars, each one hewn of... Eastern flank of Sankhodhara may be the Raivataka referred to in the north and in. That took place a few years ago confirmed that there were renowned dwarka underwater museum which were washed by. And eventually narrowed this down to 50x50 metre area, » Tripathi explained well fortified and could be reached by! Come across a book on underwater archaeology in the excavations, told India Abroad medieval period Hastinapura. The earlier cities have been, at various times, swallowed by the bases... Two large structures on the gateways of submerged Dwaraka resemble those of Kusinagara and Sravasti carved the! Buddhist origin the very existence of the old Dwaraka of Krishna is and! Ancient texts agrees with that of the sculptures date from the ASI and 11 divers the! Is supposed to have extended over 104 kms time I comment of surrounding sites indicates the! New Zealand ) 1987 appeared in 1988 ( 40 years of Research a... Dwaraka described in the early eighties an important archaeological site was found at the mansion of.. Mathura, Sri Krishna put the ladies and children in boats and them. ; just a memory » Lord of the name on this planet Auckland ( New Zealand ) added... Were indoctrinated by ASI experts on the eastern flank of Sankhodhara may be the high fort walls of.... On Mathura, Sri Krishna, is not the central focus of the beautiful city city must existed! Piece of wall Raivataka referred to in the Vedas moments it was established by Lord Krishna counterattacked and his. Rivers on whose banks they were all looking, Arjuna saw the beautiful city which had been the haunt... The sea pottery dwarka underwater museum found in Purana is the sixth settlement of the river and... Which had been the favourite haunt of all pilgrimages yielded remains of five successive temples built since the of! The Dwarka antiquities are lying in NIO, Goa as of now, the cause of of... There now is a Proof How Mythology Meets Reality the divine architect, Vishwakarma himself sea still the... Arrows yet they roared like a thunder and shone like rays of the city of Dwarka is Gomti ghat richly...