Dwarka to host India’s first underwater tourism adventure

The growing religious tourism sector in India is exemplified by the Gujarat government’s pioneering initiative to introduce underwater tourism to explore the submerged city of Dwarka. The state government has entered into a memorandum of understanding with Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders to start underwater services for tourists, marking the inaugural underwater tourism facility in India. The project is expected to be launched by Diwali in October 2024.

The upcoming Dwarka Underwater Tourism initiative will be a pioneering venture in India, marking the first experience of underwater tourism in the country. Historically, various religious sites have been developed to enhance tourism and highlight the importance of spiritual places. This new project aims to enhance this tradition by offering a unique perspective of the submerged city of Dwarka, further enriching the rich mosaic of spiritual tourism in India.

According to legend, Dwarka was submerged in the Arabian Sea when Lord Krishna passed away, thus ushering in the Kali Yuga.

TOURISM INDUSTRY IN NUMBERS

Over the past few years, India has seen a rise in the number of tourists from other countries. Moreover, the number of domestic tourists has also increased. The number of foreign tourists who arrived in India during January-June this year was 43.80 lakh, a 106 per cent increase over the number (21.24 lakh) for the corresponding period in 2022.

As for domestic tourism, according to data from the Ministry of Tourism, in 2021 this figure amounted to 677 million, and in 2022 it increased to 1,731 million.

The World Economic Forum’s Travel and Tourism Competitiveness Index ranked India 54th with a score of 4.1. Last year, the G-20 summit highlighted the growth of tourism in India, with leaders from across the world attending, and showcased India as a leading tourist destination.

The growing influence of religious tourism is also evidenced by the increasing number of tourists visiting Varanasi, Ayodhya and Prayagraj, which were visited by almost 140 million people in just one year.

In 2022, Varanasi welcomed 82 million tourists, almost four times more than in 2019. This was about 26% of all arrivals in 2022, compared to less than 4% in 2019. The number of tourists visiting Varanasi has surpassed that of Agra, home to the Taj Mahal, making it the most-visited city in Uttar Pradesh.

According to the Ministry of Tourism, an impressive 1.439 million people participated in religious tourism in India in 2022, which is more than double the 677 million in 2021. This increase in participation led to religious tourism destinations earning Rs 1.34 lakh crore in revenue in 2022, a significant increase from Rs 65,070 crore in 2021.

During the 103rd episode of the radio programme ‘Mann Ki Baat’, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the growing number of tourists visiting holy places like Kashi, Ayodhya, Mathura and Ujjain. This increase has not only enriched the spiritual experience of devotees but also had a positive impact on the local economy, providing employment opportunities to many.

Looking ahead, data from the Ministry of Tourism forecasts that the religious tourism sector will continue to grow, expected to generate Rs 59 billion in revenue by 2028 and create a staggering 140 million temporary and permanent jobs by 2030.

EXCAVATIONS TO STUDY THE LOST CITY OF DWARKA

Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently dived to offer prayers in Dwarka, Gujarat, which is considered the “land of action” of God Krishna.

“Worshipping in the city of Dwarka, which is immersed in waters, was a very divine experience. I felt connected to an ancient era of spiritual greatness and timeless devotion. May Bhagwan Shri Krishna bless us all,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrote on Twitter after visiting the Dwarkadhish temple in Dwarka, Gujarat.

Work to uncover the sunken secrets of Dwarka began in the 1930s on the initiative of Hiranand Shastri, and in 1963, a team led by JM Nanavati and HD Sankalia carried out the first large-scale excavations.

Based on the scriptures, many argue that the submerged structures may be natural formations or that dating the artifacts cannot clearly place them in the time frame of the Mahabharata. However, there is a treasure trove to be discovered and an ocean to be explored.

Work to uncover the sunken secrets of Dwarka began in the 1930s on the initiative of Hiranand Shastri, and in 1963, a team led by JM Nanavati and HD Sankalia carried out the first large-scale excavations.

Later excavations by marine archaeologists have unearthed a plethora of ancient artifacts and submerged remains of ancient Dwarka.

According to UNESCO, between 1983 and 1990, archaeologists unearthed many such secrets, including fortified foundations, stone blocks, pillars, stone anchors and irrigation streams, on which the ancient city walls of Dwarka probably stood.

According to archaeologist SR Rao, archaeological evidence from the submerged site of Dwarka confirms the existence of a city-state with several satellite cities, dating to around 1500 BCE.

Scientists continue to explore the mysteries surrounding the creation and eventual submergence of Dwarka. Understanding the history of this ancient city is important not only from a historical perspective, but also for its spiritual and religious implications. For millions of Hindus, Dwarka is more than just a historical site; it is believed to be a divine city created by Lord Krishna himself.

COUNTRIES WITH UNDERWATER TOURISM

Many countries now offer submarine tourism, providing an amazing opportunity to explore the underwater world. This unique form of tourism allows travelers to experience marine life and underwater landscapes in exciting locations around the world. India is set to join this growing list with the introduction of submarine tours in Dwarka.

Embark on an extraordinary journey beneath the waves with the best submarine tours that offer a glimpse into some of the most stunning underwater environments in the world. In the Maldives, the Sea Explorer submarine takes you on a mesmerizing dive in crystal clear waters, where you can admire vibrant coral reefs and a wealth of diverse marine life in their natural habitat. Meanwhile, in Hawaii, the Atlantis submarines offer exciting explorations around Oahu and Maui, where you can discover the rich colors of coral reefs and the secrets of intriguing shipwrecks.

In Australia, submarine tours near the Great Barrier Reef provide incredible views of one of the world’s most iconic underwater ecosystems, showcasing the reef’s stunning biodiversity and vibrant marine life. Singapore invites you to explore its unique coastal marine environment aboard the Neptune submarine, offering a rare perspective of the city’s underwater landscape.

South Africa is adding submarine tours to its tourism offering, highlighting the country’s rich marine biodiversity along its extensive coastlines. Japan’s Okinawa region offers the chance to dive into spectacular coral reefs and marine habitats, revealing the rich underwater world surrounding this picturesque location.

Dubai combines high-tech innovation with underwater exploration, offering cutting-edge underwater adventures in man-made lagoons and coastal areas. These cutting-edge tours combine cutting-edge technology with the thrill of ocean exploration, providing a contemporary take on underwater travel.