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Bet Dwarka

Courtesy - Flickr
city | Historical & Heritage | Pilgrimage
4.5 / 5
  • Timings : 24:00 Hours
  • Entry Fee : No fee
  • Distance from near by city 35.4 KMs From Dwarka
  • Trip duration (including travel in hours)1 - 2 Hours
  • Transportation OptionsSedan - AC (4+1), SUV - AC (7+1), Tempo Traveller - AC (12+1)
  • Travel Tips None

Shankhdhar, or Bet Dwarka, is another name for Beyt Island. It is a small island about 30 miles from the central town of Dwarka. Before the building of Okha, Beyt Island served as the region's principal port. 

The main draw for tourists to the area is the island. It is at the Gulf of Kutch's opening and has white sand beaches, coral reefs, and a few temples nearby. It is another popular place to visit in Dwarka.

History 

The Yadava clan had to travel by boat to Bet Dwarka, also famous as "Antardvipa," in the old Mahabharata epic. Underwater investigations and excavations have demonstrated the existence of settlements dating back to the Harappan and Mauryan periods. 

In the following years, the Gaekwad clan of the state of Baroda ruled over the area. Vaghers assaulted and took control of the area during the 1857 uprising. But they were forced to admit defeat and return the site to the Gaekwads after two years.

Activities at Beyt Dwarka 

One of the best things to do on the island is marine camping. It is a relatively new idea that asks volunteers to spend a few days on the shore, engaging in activities such as learning about the tides' ebbs and flows, exploring the marine wildlife, and connecting with the locals. 

On the island's northeastern side, there is a base camp. Tourists can see jellyfish, corals, mollusks, sea feathers, sea anemones, bristles, barnacles, marine turtles, sea snakes, starfish, sea cucumbers, and other things.

Why is Beyt Dwarka famous?

It is believed that Lord Krishna lived at Bet Dwarka, also famous as Shankhdhar, when he ruled Dwarka. The word "bet" means "gift," gave it its name, and it's said that Lord Krishna got it from his friend Sudama. A place must be in the Dwarka tour package.

In which sea is Beyt located?

At the mouth of the Gulf of Kutch, 2 km (1 km) off the coast of Okha, Gujarat, India, and 25 km (16 mi) north of Dwarka. It lies on a populated island known as Bet Dwarka (also written Beyt Dwarka) or Shankhdhar.

Is Beyt Dwarka worth visiting?

According to belief, Bet Dwarka, a peninsula divided by the sea, is Lord Krishna's childhood abode. You will have to travel across the ocean by boat, and the journey provides impressive views of the surrounding environment and wildlife.

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14 places to visit & things to do in Dwarka

Bhadkeshwar Mahadev Temple
Dwarka Beach
Geeta Mandir
Gomti Ghat Dwarka
Gopi Talav
ISKCON Temple Dwarka
Okha Madhi Beach
Rukmini Devi Mandir
Samudra Narayan Temple Dwarka
Shivrajpur Beach
Shree Dwarkadhish Temple
Shri Nageshvar Jyotirling Temple
Sudama Setu
Swaminarayan Mandir