Bet Dwarka or Shankhodhar''' is an inhabited island at mouth of the Gulf of Kutch situated off the coast of Okha, Gujarat, India. The island measured northwest to southeast in long with an average east-west width of. It is a strip of sand and stone situated north of the town of Dwarka.
History
Bet Dwarka is considered a part of the ancient city of Dvārakā in Indian epic literature, the abode of Krishna, found in the Mahabharata and Skanda Purana. Gujarati scholar Umashankar Joshi suggested that Antardvipa in Sabha Parva of Mahabharata can be identified as Bet Dwarka, as the Yadavas of Dwarka are said to have travelled to it by boats. It derives its name Shankhodhar from the fact that the island is a large source of conch shells. Archaeological remains found under the sea suggest the existence of a settlement during Late Harappan period of Indus Valley Civilization, or immediately after it. It can be reliably dated to the time of the Maurya Empire. It was a part of Okha Mandal or Kushdwip area. Dwarka is mentioned in a copper inscription of Simhaditya, the minister of Vallabhi under Maitraka, dated 574 AD. He was the son of Varahdas, the king of Dwarka. The island, along with Okhamandal region, was under Gaekwad of Baroda State. During Indian rebellion of 1857, the Vaghers captured the region in 1857. Later by joint offensive of British, Gaekwad and other princely states troops ousted the rebels and recaptured the region in 1859. After independence of India in 1947, it was integrated in Saurashtra State. Later Saurashtra merged with Bombay State under state reorganization scheme. When Gujarat was created from bifurcation of Bombay State, Bet Dwarka came under Jamnagar district of Gujarat. Devbhoomi Dwarka district was created from Jamnagar district in 2013 so it became part of it.
Archeology
During the investigation In 1980s, the remains of earthen pots and other artifacts of Late Harappan period were found near Sidi Bawa Peer Dargah. In 1982, a 580 meter long protection wall dated 1500 BC was found which believed to be damaged and submerged following seastorm. The artifacts recovered include a Late Harappan seal, an inscribed jar and the mould of coppersmith, a copper fishhook. The shipwrecks and stone anchors found during excavations suggested the historic trade relation with Romans. The temples on the island are built around end of eighteenth century.
Places of worship
Dhwarkadhish Temple and Shri Keshavraiji Temple are major temples of Krishna. Hanuman Dandi and Vaishnav Mahaprabhu Bethak and a Gurudwara are also pilgrimage places. Much later constructed Sidi Bawa Peer Dargah, Haji Kirmai Dargah are also situated here. A small temple of Abhaya mata is situated south of this island.
Access
Bet Dwarka can be reached by ferry service from Okha. The first sea bridge of Gujarat is proposed between Okha and Bet Dwarka. The long sea bridge is estimated to cost 400 crore. The bet is surrounded by several sand beaches. The southeast most end of bet is known as Dunny Point which is three side surrounded by sea. It is the first place in Gujarat developed for ecotourism. The temporary camps are set up for tourism in summer.
