Bet Dwarka

Getting there

• By air

  The closest airports are Porbandar, 95 km away, and Jamnagar, 145 km away. Both distances are to Dwarka town, not to the island.

• By train

  Okha has a good rail network, and the island is reached from Okha.

• By road

  Okha port is the nearest bus station and is well connected. From the Okha shipyard, a public ferry takes about 15 minutes to the temple.

Why devotees come here

Bet Dwarka is an inhabited island at the mouth of the Gulf of Kutch, 2 km off Okha and 25 km north of Dwarka. Its major temples are dedicated to Krishna. Legend says Krishna received the island as a gift from his friend Sudama.

The name Bet Dwarka comes from the word bet, which means gift. Legend says Krishna received the island from his friend Sudama, and that he lived here when he arrived in the area. The island is off the coast of Dwarka and is reached through Okha.

The establishment of the temple is credited to Guru Vallabhacharya. In 1473, Mahmud Begada of the Gujarat Sultanate conquered Dwarka and Bet Dwarka, which ended the rule of the Rajput Rathore dynasty of Dwarka. The temples on the island were built around the end of the 18th century.

The two major temples on the island are the Dwarkadhish Temple and the Shri Keshavraiji Temple, both dedicated to Krishna. Pilgrims also visit the Hanuman Dandi temple, the Vaishnav Mahaprabhu Bethak and a gurdwara on the island.

Festivals

• Each year. Confirm the date before you travel.Janmashtami

  The festival is celebrated on the island with great fervour, and it is one of the best times to visit.

Tips for your visit

• Visit between November and February, which the official page gives as the best time.
• Plan darshan for the morning or the late afternoon, because visiting hours pause at midday.
• Hanuman Dandi temple, the Vaishnav Mahaprabhu Bethak and a gurdwara are also on the island.

Questions people ask