A Magical Tale of Hindu Mythology: The Vanishing of Dwarka – The City That Sank into the Sea
Have you ever heard of a city that disappeared under the ocean? This is the story of Dwarka, a magical kingdom built by Lord Krishna himself, which vanished into the sea one day.
It may sound like a fairy tale, but it’s a famous part of Indian mythology—and some people believe it really existed!
Let’s take a journey back in time to learn the amazing story of Dwarka, the city that once shone like gold and then quietly sank beneath the waves.
What Was Dwarka?
Dwarka was a beautiful, golden city built by Lord Krishna, the eighth avatar of Lord Vishnu. Krishna built it after leaving Mathura to protect his people from constant attacks by evil kings like Kansa and Jarasandha.
He wanted a place that was safe, peaceful, and surrounded by water, so no enemy could attack easily. So Krishna requested the sea god (Varuna) to give him some land.
Varuna agreed, and Krishna built a magnificent city on the western coast of India, where today’s Gujarat is located.
A City Like No Other
Dwarka was no ordinary city—it was like a heaven on Earth!
- The city had golden walls, sparkling palaces, and wide streets.
- It had beautiful gardens, lovely fountains, and was surrounded by the Arabian Sea.
- It had 900,000 palaces made of crystals, silver, and emeralds!
- People lived happily with no fear, and Lord Krishna ruled with love and fairness.
The city became so grand that it was called "Dwarkavati", and many kings from across the land visited to see its beauty.
What Happened After the War of Mahabharata?
After the great war of Mahabharata, Lord Krishna knew that his time on Earth was coming to an end.
He had completed his duties, and now the Yadava clan, the people of Dwarka, started becoming proud and quarrelsome. They began arguing and fighting among themselves.
One day, the Yadavas fought so badly that they destroyed each other. This was the beginning of the end of Dwarka.
Lord Krishna was deeply saddened. He sat under a tree, and there, a hunter named Jara mistakenly shot an arrow at him, thinking he was a deer. That’s how Krishna left the Earth and returned to his heavenly form.
The City Sinks into the Sea
Just after Lord Krishna left, a huge storm came, and the sea began to rise.
- Gigantic waves rolled in.
- Buildings began to shake.
- The ground trembled.
And slowly, the city of Dwarka began to sink into the ocean.
One by one, the palaces, temples, gardens, and homes were swallowed by the sea. In a short time, the entire golden city was gone—completely underwater.
The people who survived watched in shock as their beloved city disappeared forever.
What Does This Teach Us?
This amazing story is more than just a tale. It teaches us:
- Nothing lasts forever—not even the most beautiful city.
- Pride and anger can destroy even the strongest people.
- Goodness, humility, and love are what make a place truly special.
Lord Krishna built Dwarka with love and kindness, but when pride and violence entered the hearts of the people, the city could not survive.
Did Dwarka Really Exist?
Many people believed Dwarka was just a story from mythology. But guess what?
In recent years, underwater explorers and scientists have found ruins under the sea near Gujarat that look like ancient buildings. Some believe these are the remains of Krishna’s Dwarka!
Though it’s not yet confirmed, it gives hope that myth and history may meet one day.
A Magical Ending
Even though Dwarka vanished, the story of Lord Krishna and his magical city lives on forever in people’s hearts.
Today, there's a modern city called Dwarka in Gujarat. People visit to pray and remember Lord Krishna. Temples, books, stories, and festivals keep the spirit of the golden city alive.
And who knows? Maybe one day, the real Dwarka will rise from the sea again—sparkling like it once did, telling the world its story once more.