Beyt Island

Situated around 30 km from the main town of Dwarka, Beyt Island (also called Bet Dwarka or Shankodhar) is a small island that was the main port in the region before the development of Okha. Located at the mouth of the Gulf of Kutch, the island is enclosed by a few temples, white-sand beaches, and coral reefs, which is the prime reason for the tourist activity in the region. Among the several activities available at the beach to engage the tourists, the most popular ones include dolphin spotting, marine excursions, beach camping, picnics, etc.

Aside from the flourishing tourism industry, the island also holds a significant mythological and religious significance. It is believed to be the home of Lord Krishna when he was the king of Dwarka. It was here where Lord Krishna exchanged the bags of rice with his friend Sudama - as the story goes. Therefore, this place is also visited by several devotees for a pilgrimage as well.

History of Beyt Island

Beyt Island is supposed to be ancient. It can be dated back to the time of the Mauryan Empire. It was also a part of the Okha Mandal or Kushdwip area. Beyt Island was once under the rule of Gaekwad of Baroda State. Later, in the rebellion of 1857, it was captured by the Vagers and sometime after that, it eventually came to be captured by the British.

After the independence of India, it became a part of Saurashtra state and then after bifurcation, it was merged with Gujarat. Archaeological remains found under the sea suggest that there were settlements of the Harappan civilization from the Late Harappan Period or immediately after it, from the Indus Valley Civilization.

Legend and Etymology of Beyt Island

Bet Dwarka or Beyt Island is called so because ‘bet’ or ‘beyt’ in Gujarati means a land surrounded by water on all sides. So, this name is considered to be derived from the same word. Another story suggests that in the olden days, Lord Krishna used to live here.

As the legend goes, this is the same place where Lord Krishna also exchanged the famed bag of rice with his best friend Sudama. And a gift in Hindi is called ‘bhent’. So the island came to be called ‘Bhent Island’. And over the years, ‘Bhent’ came to be called ‘Beyt’.

The island is also called Shankodhar and that is because some people believe that the island is ‘shankh’ or conch shaped. It is also a source of conch shells.