Narendra Modi Explores Submerged Dwarka Treasures: Dives into the Sea near Panchkooi, Adorned in Peacock Feathers
Today, Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached the sacred land of Dwarka for the inauguration of the Sudarshan Setu, connecting Dwarka to Bet Dwarka. In the morning, he performed the worship of Dwarkadhish, the presiding deity of Dwarka. Afterwards, near the Panchkooi shore, he immersed himself in saffron robes and descended into the water, wearing a peacock feather crown. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has shared these images on Twitter, stating that today, the legendary city of Lord Krishna, the original Dwarka submerged in the sea, is accessible.
It is speculated that Narendra Modi went into the sea just to see it. He wrote on Twitter that offering prayers in the submerged Dwarka city in the water was a very divine experience. He feels deeply connected to the spiritual grandeur and timeless devotion associated with ancient times. May Lord Shri Krishna bless us all.
Prime Minister Modi Dives Into the Sea
Prime Minister Narendra Modi had not originally planned to dive into the waters near Panchkooi to see the legendary submerged city of Dwarka. However, later it was decided to undertake this program. Today, the Prime Minister performed worship and rituals at the Dwarkadhish Temple and then proceeded to Panchkooi.
It is noteworthy that the Sudama Setu had been closed for a long time due to the unfortunate collapse of the bridge in Morbi, but it was reopened today for the Prime Minister’s visit. Whether the Sudama Setu will remain open for devotees or not has not been clarified.
Dwarka Submerges Into the Sea After the Rule of the Land
For over a hundred years, the land of Dwarka has been ruled by Lord Dwarkadhish. After Lord Dwarkadhish left his mortal body, as per his agreement, the entire land of Dwarka submerged into the sea, where it had originated. Dwarka submerged into the sea after the Lord relinquished his rule. Subsequently, Lord Dwarkadhish’s great-grandson, Shri Varjanabhaj, personally performed the re-emergence ceremony of Dwarka’s divine land before Lord Vishwakarma.
Unearthing the Sunken Dwarka: Exploration and Discoveries
The mission to explore the submerged city of Dwarka commenced in 1963, initiated by Deccan College in Pune. Subsequently, under the direction of ASI Director, Dr. S. R. Rao, maritime archaeological research was conducted in Dwarka from 1984 to 1987. The explorations revealed fascinating remnants such as underwater entrances, fort walls, and jetties located 10 meters below the sea.
These findings, dating back to the Mahabharata era, have proven immensely valuable for historical elucidation. Based on these discoveries, it is estimated that the construction of Dwarka dates back to around the 15th century BCE, marking its existence more than 3,520 years ago.
Recollections from the Expedition to the Submerged Dwarka
Retired Marine Commando Praveenkumar Tevatia, as part of the 2007 ASI-led research, recounted the challenges faced in locating the submerged Dwarka. He stated, “There was no set location. We had to search for it. Dwarka’s temples mark the starting point, about 2-2.5 kilometers offshore. We anchored our boat there and operated from that spot. We stayed there day and night. From morning to evening, ASI officials came and went as per their schedule.
Throughout the day, we worked, and in the evenings, our work would be inspected. Besides the Dwarkadhish Temple, we did a lot of digging nearby and found remnants of many temples. Presently, the temples we discovered are the latest. Earlier, about 5-6 temples were built, but they were destroyed. We found their remnants, but what was actually Dwarka lies beneath the sea.”
