Himalaya Harbinger National Bureau.
“Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Dive into Ancient Depths Sparks Curiosity and Exploration”
In an awe-inspiring moment, Prime Minister Narendra Modi delved into the mystical waters of Dwarka, Gujarat, to explore the submerged remnants of the legendary city associated with Lord Krishna. His visit to the Dwarkadhish Temple on Sunday was more than a spiritual journey; it marked a significant exploration into the historical and mythical depths of the ancient city.
Expressing his divine experience, PM Modi stated, “To pray in the city of Dwarka, which is immersed in the waters, was a very divine experience. I felt connected to an ancient era of spiritual grandeur and timeless devotion. May Bhagwan Shri Krishna bless us all.”
The Dwarkadhish Temple, believed to have been established over 2500 years ago by Lord Krishna’s great-grandson, Vajranabh, has been a focal point for devotees. The temple, with imprints from the 16th and 19th centuries, continues to draw pilgrims seeking solace in its historical significance.
PM Modi, after immersing himself in the Arabian Sea, expressed, “Those moments will stay with me forever.” The submerged city of Dwarka has long been shrouded in curiosity and mystery, with offshore excavations revealing remnants dating back to 2000 BC.
Dwarka, known as one of the Sapt Puris of Hinduism, was said to have been reclaimed from the sea by Lord Krishna, who shifted from Mathura in Uttar Pradesh to Dwarka in Gujarat. Legends suggest that Dwarka submerged under the Arabian Sea as Lord Krishna departed from the world, marking the beginning of the Kali Yuga.
While the mythical narrative is rooted in the Puranas, archaeological evidence has added layers of intrigue to the city’s history. The Dwarka Darshan initiated by PM Modi underscores the intersection of faith, history, and marine archaeology.
“I went deep into the sea and did ‘Darshan’ of the ancient Dwarka city. Archaeologists have written a lot about Dwarka city hidden underwater. In our scriptures also, it is said about Dwarka that it was a city with beautiful gates and tall buildings, as tall as the top of the world. Lord Krishna himself constructed this city,” said PM Modi, addressing a rally after the exploration.
The quest to uncover Dwarka’s submerged secrets commenced in the 1930s by Hiranand Shastri, with the first extensive excavation led by JM Nanavati and HD Sankalia in 1963. Subsequent marine archaeology expeditions revealed a trove of ancient artifacts and submerged remnants.
Between 1983 and 1990, archaeologists unearthed fortified foundations, stone blocks, pillars, stone anchors, and irrigation streams, providing glimpses of the ancient city’s structure. UNESCO acknowledges these discoveries as key elements that likely formed the walls of Dwarka.
Scholars like Anant Sadashiv Altekar and DD Koshambi once suggested Dwarka’s location might be in Afghanistan, but the evidence collected from the seabed supports its historical reality. The island of Bet Dwarka, located northeast of the Dwarkadhish Temple, yielded protohistoric and historical pottery, supporting the city’s existence from 1900 BC to 1300 BC.
Thermoluminescence dates from surface explorations hint at the island’s habitation beginning in the mid-second millennium BC. Recent offshore explorations unearthed stone anchors of the Medieval period and remains of early historic amphorae.
Archaeologist SR Rao asserts that the archaeological evidence confirms the existence of a city-state around 1500 BC. He emphasizes Dwarka’s significance as a trading center, facilitating trade between India and West Asia.
The Gujarat government, recognizing the potential for underwater tourism, has initiated the construction and operation of a submarine/submersible to explore the lost city of Dwarka. This move aligns with PM Modi’s vision of unraveling the mysteries submerged beneath the Arabian Sea.
PM Modi’s underwater exploration of Dwarka has brought the mythical city’s secrets to the forefront, merging faith, history, and archaeology. The planned submarine tourism project promises to offer enthusiasts and devotees an unprecedented opportunity to witness the submerged marvels of Dwarka.
