Dvārakā — the seventh Mokṣapuri
Seventh and final of the Sapta Mokṣa Purī — the seven sacred cities that grant moksha (liberation). Dwarka (Dvārakā) is Krishna's sea-front kingdom on the Gujarat coast. Ancient underwater ruins have been confirmed by marine archaeology. One of Char-Dham and 108 Divya Desams.
Period 1 — Ancient / Vedic–Epic (c. 1500–500 BCE): Krishna establishes Dwarka as his capital. After his death, the city is submerged. Dying at Dwarka is said to grant moksha — the basis of its Mokshapuri status.
Period 2 — Medieval / Puranic–Alvar (c. 500–1500 CE): The Sapta Mokshapuri concept develops in the Puranas. Dwarka is established as the western mokshapuri. The 12 Alvars include it as a Divya Desam. Current temple built.
Period 3 — Colonial / Mughal–British (c. 1500–1850): Mughal taxation of pilgrim sites. British surveys codify Sapta Mokshapuri status. Temple trust formalized.
Period 4 — Modern / Post-Independence (c. 1850–1990): Marine archaeology confirms submerged city. Dwarka's triple sacred status (Char Dham, Sapta Mokshapuri, Divya Desam) emphasized in pilgrimage literature.
Period 5 — Contemporary (c. 1990–Present): 2+ million pilgrims annually. Gomati-tirtham bathing for moksha. Bet Dwarka island promoted as original city site.
Xuanzang (639 CE): "In Gujarat on the western sea, there is a city called Dwaraka which Hindus believe grants liberation to those who die there."
Ibn Battuta (1344): "The city of Dwaraka is one of the four holy cities that Hindus believe grant salvation."
Max Müller (1870): "Dwarka, as Krishna's city and the western mokshapuri, completes the circuit of India's sacred geography."
