Kara was the surname of Makaradhvaja. At present this surname is generally found in the Kāyastha community. The Gaura-gaṇoddeśa-dīpikā, verse 166, states:

dhaniṣṭhā bhakṣya-sāmagrīṁ
kṛṣṇāyādād vraje 'mitām
saiva sāmprataṁ gaurāṅga-
priyo rāghava-paṇḍitaḥ

Rāghava Paṇḍita was formerly a confidential gopī in Vraja during the time of Lord Kṛṣṇa's pastimes, and his former name was Dhaniṣṭhā. This gopī, Dhaniṣṭhā, always engaged in preparing foods for Kṛṣṇa.