Prelims: Culture (Ancient Cities), Dwarka city, Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana (HRIDAY) Scheme
Mains: General Studies-I, Indian Culture – Salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.
Why in the News ?
Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently participated in underwater prayers at ‘Dwarka Nagari’, a place believed to be the kingdom of Lord Krishna.
Source: IE
📌 FYI on Prelims
Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana (HRIDAY) Scheme
- Aim: It aims to preserve and rejuvenate the rich cultural heritage of the country.
- Objectives
- Planning, development and implementation of heritage-sensitive infrastructure
- Service Delivery and infrastructure provisioning in the core areas of the historic city
- Preserve and revitalise heritage wherein tourists can connect directly with city’s unique character
- Develop and document a heritage asset inventory of cities – natural, cultural, living and built heritage as a basis for urban planning, growth, service provision and delivery
- Implementation and enhancement of basic services delivery with focus on sanitation services like public conveniences, toilets, water taps, street lights, with use of latest technologies in improving tourist facilities/amenities.
- Local capacity enhancement for inclusive heritage-based industry
- Funding
- HRIDAY is a central sector scheme, where 100% funding will be provided by Government of India.
Dwarka City
About:
- It is located on the western side of the State of Gujrat.
- The submerged city of Dwarka has been the focus of marine excavations and research endeavors.
- It is one of Hinduism’s seven sacred cities (Sapt Puris). Dwarka is believed to have been reclaimed from the sea by Lord Krishna after he relocated from Mathura in Uttar Pradesh to Dwarka in Gujarat.
- In the Vishnu Purana, mentions indicate that Dwarka was a city adorned with stunning gardens, moats, ponds, and palaces
- Legend holds that Dwarka was submerged under the Arabian Sea as Lord Krishna departed from the world, marking the beginning of the Kali Yuga.
Present day Dwarka
- It is a coastal town situated at the entrance of the Gulf of Kutch, facing the Arabian Sea.
- It serves as a significant point along the Krishna pilgrimage route, connecting Vrindavan, Mathura, Govardhan, Kurukshetra, and Puri.
- Dwarka is renowned for its 13th-century Dwarkadheesh temple, devoted to Lord Krishna.
- It is one of 12 heritage cities chosen nationwide by the Government of India for civic infrastructure development under the Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana (HRIDAY) Scheme
