Bet Dwarka | |
|---|---|
Island | |
 Map of Bet Dwarka | |
  Bet Dwarka Location in Gujarat, India Show map of Gujarat Bet Dwarka Bet Dwarka (India) Show map of India | |
| Coordinates:22°26′58″N69°7′2″E / 22.44944°N 69.11722°E /22.44944; 69.11722 | |
| Country | India |
| State | Gujarat |
| District | Devbhoomi Dwarka district |
| City | Dwarka |
| Area | |
• Total | 11 km2 (4 sq mi) |
| Population (2011) | |
• Total | 15,000 |
| • Density | 1,400/km2 (3,500/sq mi) |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Gujarati,Hindi |
| Time zone | UTC+5:30 (IST) |
| Vehicle registration | GJ-37 |
| Website | gujaratindia |
Bet Dwarka (also spelledBeyt Dwarka) orShankhodhar is an inhabited island at the mouth of theGulf of Kutch, situated 2 km (1 mi) off the coast of the town ofOkha,Gujarat, India, and 25 km (16 mi) north of the city ofDwarka. Northeast to southwest, the island measures 8 km (5 mi) long and averaging 2 km (1 mi) wide. The island's name "Shankhodhar" derives from the fact that the island is a large source ofconch shells (Hindi:शंख,romanized: shankha,lit. 'conch or scallop shell').
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Bet Dwarka is considered to be part of the ancient city ofDvārakā. In Indian epic literature such as theMahabharata and theSkanda Purana, this city is the abode ofKrishna. Gujarati scholarUmashankar Joshi suggested that Antardvipa in theSabha Parva of theMahabharata can be identified as Bet Dwarka, as theYadavas of Dwarka are said to have travelled to it by boat.[1]
Undersea archaeological remains suggest the existence of a settlement during theLate Harappan period ofIndus Valley civilization, or immediately after it. The settlement can be reliably dated to the time of theMaurya Empire, as a part of Okha Mandal or Kushdwip area. Dwarka is mentioned in a copper inscription (dated 574 CE) of Simhaditya, the son of Varahdas (the king of Dwarka) and the minister of the city ofVallabhi during theMaitraka dynasty.[2]
During the 18th century, the island, along with Okhamandal region, was controlled by theGaekwads of Baroda. During theIndian rebellion of 1857, theVaghers captured this region. In 1859, through a joint offensive with the British, Gaekwad and other princely state troops ousted the rebels and recaptured the region.[3][4][5]
After Indian Independence in 1947, the area was integrated into theSaurashtra State. Later, Saurashtra merged withBombay State under the state reorganization plans. WhenGujarat was created from the bifurcation of Bombay State, Bet Dwarka was under the jurisdiction of theJamnagar district of Gujarat. In 2013, it became part of theDevbhumi Dwarka district, created from the Jamnagar district.[citation needed]
During investigations undertaken in the 1980s, the remains of earthen pots and other artifacts of theLate Harappan period were found. In 1982, a 580-metre (1,900 ft)-long protection wall dating from 1500 BCE was found, which is believed to have been damaged and submerged following a sea storm. The artifacts recovered include a Late Harappan seal, an inscribed jar and a mold of a coppersmith, and a copper fishhook.[6] The shipwrecks and stone anchors found during excavations suggestedhistoric trade relation with Romans.[7] The temples on the island were built around the end of the 18th century.[2]
Dwarkadhish Temple andShri Keshavraiji Temple are major temples ofKrishna on the island. Additional pilgrimage places includeHanuman Dandi temple, Vaishnav Mahaprabhu Bethak, and agurdwara. The small temple of Abhaya Mata is situated on the southwest side of the island.
According to Devi Bhagavata Purana and Padma Purana which enlists 108 Shaktipeethas, it includes Dharaā in Sankhodhara. However unfortunately no such temple or details about it is available online.
Bet Dwarka can be reached by ferry service from Okha. As of 2016, theOkha–Beyt Dwarka Signature Bridge—the first sea bridge in Gujarat—is under construction between Okha and Bet Dwarka. The 2 km (1 mi) long bridge is estimated to cost₹400crore.[8] This bridge, known asSudarshan Setu, was completed and inaugurated by Prime MinisterNarendra Modi in February 2024.[9][10][11]
The island is made of sandstone and is surrounded by several sand beaches. On the eastern side is a thin peninsula known as Dunny Point. Bet Dwarka is the first place in Gujarat developed for ecotourism, and temporary camps are set up for tourism during the summer.
