PM Modi performed a deep dive off the coast of Gujarat to perform an underwater puja in the Arabian sea at the underwater site of the ancient city of Dwarka.
PM Modi also sat in meditation for a while on the sea bed and offered peacock feathers as part of the ‘Dwarka Darshan.’
The prime minister offered prayers at the underwater site where the ancient city of Dwarka is believed to have existed. He was accompanied by Indian Navy divers, to perform the ceremony.
PM Modi was on a two-day visit to Gujarat which began on Saturday, February 24.
During PM Modi’s visit to Gujarat, he inaugurated ‘Sudarshan Setu,’ the ‘Signature Bridge’ between Okha in Gujarat’s Devbhumi Dwarka district and Beyt Dwarka island in Dwarka.
Sudarshan Setu is India’s longest cable-stayed bridge of around 2.32 km.
PM Modi also announced a number of development projects on his visit, Sunday. He laid the foundation stone of multiple development projects worth more than INR 4150 crore in the city.
The PM sat cross-legged on the sea bed while being helped by the Navy divers and was welcomed with a warm applause by the experts onboard when he resurfaced after performing the underwater prayers.
About the experience, he said, ‘sahas se zyada shradha ki baat thi mere liye (for me it was more about faith than courage).’
‘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,’ wrote PM Narendra Modi’s official social media handle on X.
About the ancient city of Dwarka
Dwarka city is known for its ancient connection with Lord Krishna, specifically as Lord Krishna’s Karm Bhoomi as he settled in the city after defeating his uncle Kansa in Mathura, according to Hindu mythology.
The city is believed to be submerged under the sea centuries ago after Lord Krishna’s departure from Earth.
The city was also established as the capital in Saurashtra by the Aryans, so has a rich history.
The city’s ;Dwarkadhish Temple; dedicated to Lord Krishna was originally constructed around 2,500 years ago, but was destroyed by Mahmud Begada of the Gujarat Sultanate. It was later rebuilt in the 16th century.