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Seven Islands In Hinduism - Seven Dvipa - Importance

Seven Islands (dvipa) are mentioned in Hindu scriptures like the Puranas especially in the Vishnu Puranas. These are actually continents. The Seven Islands are:

Gambu 
Plaksha
Salmali
Kusha
Kraunka
Saka and
Pushkara.

Seven Islands In Hinduism - Seven Dvipa - Importance

Gambu or Jambu
The belief is that Gambu or Jambu is in the middle and the other six are encircling it.

Gambu is the name given to the Indian Subcontinent. It is believed that in ancient times the Indian Subcontinent was an island and it was known as Jambudvipa.

It is named after Jamun or rose apple tree. Jambudvipa is interpreted either roughly as the northern hemisphere or the region in Asia with India and adjacent regions and islands.

Some scholars are of the view that Jambudvipa is a heavenly place and not on earth.

The island is in the shape of a lotus.

Plaksha
  • Plaksha is in the shape of a ring.
  • There are seven mountains and seven rivers on the island.
  • It is twice as big as Jambudvipa.
  • Sugarcane juice encircle the island.
  • The island is named after the fig tree.
Salmali
  • Salmali too is in the shape of a ring.
  • It is twice as big as Plaksha.
  • It is surrounded by the sea of wine.
  • There are seven mountains and seven rivers on the island.
Kusha
  • Kusha too is in the shape of a ring.
  • It is twice as big as Salmali.
  • It is surrounded by sea of ghee or clarified butter.
  • There are seven mountains and rivers on the island.
  • The island is named after the Kusha Grass.
Kraunka
  • Karunka too is in the shape of a ring.
  • It is twice as big as Kusha.
  • It is surrounded by sea of yoghurt
  • There are seven mountains and rivers on the island.
  • The island is named after a great mountain here.
Shaka
  • Shaka too is in the shape of a ring.
  • It is twice as big as Kraunka.
  • It is surrounded by sea of milk
  • There are seven mountains and rivers on the island.
  • The island is named after a great teak here.
Pushkara
  • Pushkara too is in the shape of a ring.
  • It is twice as big as Shaka.
  • It is surrounded by sea of pure water
  • There is only on circular mountain range here
  • The island is named after lotuses that is found throughout it.
  • There are no rivers on the island.
Beyond the islands is situated Loka Loka. It is a limit of the  different worlds. Beyond it is the realm of Brahman. The unknown begins from here. Only the lucky who have realized Brahman can know about the world. There is no return after entering Lokaloka.