Bet Dwarka | Gujarat Series

After our short and sweet sojourn at Gopi Talav (Click here to read about Gopi Talav) we boarded our autoriksha to go to Bet Dwarka, a journey of 19 kms to Okha port. Bet Dwarka is basically an island, In order to reach there we have to reach till Okha Port and from there take a boat to reach the other side.

The road ride was quite bumpy and dusty, many a times I could feel myself popping out of the auto, Thankfully I survived all the bumps. The road from Gopi Talav to Okha takes you through the salt town of Mithapur, which houses many Tata Factories. I was told that Tata Salt is also manufactured here. In fact we can see many salt pans as we go along the road. I'm told that the town Mithapur got its name from the Gujarati word Mithu which means Salt.

Okha Port View

It was around 10:30 am when we reached Okha Port. Our Auto driver told us to be back within 2 hours. My imagination of a port is that there are boats and ship docked, few boat officials but what I saw here was a melee and chaos, with fruit sellers, toy sellers etc you name it and that hawker is their vending their products. We quickly waded through this crowd and tried to reach the boat.

We waded our way towards the boat

Luckily We see a boat all set to go (Though it was very crowded), Without giving any further thought, we just jumped into it. We knew that, even if the next boat is anchored it will leave only once it is completely filled, which meant loss of time. Aur time hi toh nahi tha hamare pass ! Rahi baat jump marne ki, Yeh Mumbai ki local train me chadne ki practice thi jo yahan kaam aa gayi . 

Yoho !!  All set to go

We didn't get any place to sit, so we were standing in an overcrowded boat but what kept us engaged was the lovely sea-gulls following our boat.

Apna camera went wild, click click all the way clicking the lovely sea gulls , whom the people were feeding. So much was the fun that all the pain of travelling in the sun got drained away.

Seagulls all around us

So what is so special of Bet Dwarka, that we have boats loaded with people keep visiting it day in, day out.

Lots of people keep visiting Bet Dwarka 

 The story goes that Lord Krishna who administered the Dwarka stayed at Bet Dwarka and it was at Bet Dwarka that he met Sudama his childhood friend who brought rice as a present for lord Krishna.

Boats loaded with people eager to visit Bet Dwarka

But my dear friends there is more to Bet Dwarka than only this story. Bet Dwarka is actually a rich source of history dating to Harappan Civilisation. Check details given below:

1980: Remains of Earthen Pots and other artifacts of Late Harappan period were found near Sidi Bawa Pir Dargah.

1982:A 580 metres long wall dated 1500BC was foundwhich is believed to be damaged and submerged  due to the sea storm.
A copper Fish Hook, An Inscribed jar, Mould of Copper smith and a late Harappan seal was found.

The shipwrecks and stone anchors found during the excavations suggested that there were historic relations with the Romans.
(Source Wikipidea)

The excavation in Bet Dwarka Island has confirmed the oldest settlement dating back to the Late Harappan period.They have exploited marine resources available around the island. They had extraordinary technology for fishing, which has continued for thousands of years. The discovery of a copper fish-hook suggests that large-scale fishing activity continued around Bet Dwarka Island even after the Harappan period. Chronology has been verified with findings from Saurashtra as well as with absolute dating method.
(Reference source :A. S. GAUR* SUNDARESH National Institute of Oceanography, Dona Paula)



After knowing so much about Bet Dwarka We were naturally dying to see more but as soon as we reached the Bet Dwarka or Bet Island ,what We saw was not a very encouraging sight. Bet Dwarka was just like another crowded township, with series of houses of fisherman, anchored boats, smell of fish etc.

Bet Dwarka Side Jetty

 We were informed that 90 percent of the population on this island is Muslim. (It hardly makes a difference to me). We started walking along the road to the temple. The walk is hardly of 5-10 minutes in the congested bazaar, with shops and houses on the both side. 

Upon reaching the temple just like all temples here in Dwarka we were told to deposit our mobile phones, Cameras and leather belts at the locker.Hence we couldn't take any photos of the temple. However we took pics of some old structures around the temple.

Old Structures around the temple

Old Structures around the temple

After depositing our mobiles and camera we entered the temple. We were hurried by the ushers to do the Darshan, as the temple was to be closed for the afternoon. we were then quickly whisked away by the pandit to adjoining room where he made all of us sit down on the floor and started to narrate as to how Krishna Met Sudama his childhood friend on this island and in the same breath he informed us that the tirth of Dwarka is not complete if we don't donate rice here. Just like the menu card of Udipi restaurant he announced the various rates. 

We soon came out from the temple and rushed to see Makardwaj temple. Most people who come here often do the Darshan of Bet Dwarka mandir and go back but I had read that there is also a temple of Hanuman's son Makardwaj.

Dad, did you say Son of Hanuman !

Son of Hanuman !  My daughter looked at me and said "Lekin Dad Hanuman toh Bhramchari the na" and honestly I too was at loss of words so we googled then and there to find out as to how this happened.It so happened that after burning away the Lanka Hanuman took a dip in the sea water and a drop of his perspiration fell into the mouth of a mighty Makara, Thus Makardhwaja was born !! and then I looked at the bewildered face of my daughter " Come on Dad do you want me to believe this " I sighed and walked away to find auto to go to this temple.

Auto mil gaya 

There are these sharing autos that take you to the Makardhwaj Temple at Rs 30 per seat however they ply only if there are 10 pax. As we were short of time and though we asked few people to join us but no one came along.(Major reason is the waiting buses or auto don't give you sufficient time for this visit). Anyways we booked the whole auto to ourselves and this 4-5 kms rides again was very bumpy and dusty, as there is no proper road. It was lunch time when we reached the Makardhwaj temple sadly no pictures here too. 

Another clumsy auto ride to Makardhwaj Temple

There was no one  in the temple except the caretakers hence we were able to get darshan very quickly. Interestingly they were having bhandara there so we had our lunch sitting on the floor and after finishing the lunch each of us washed our dishes and left the temple very contented. Isse kismat kehte hai, kisne socha hoga ki hum bet Dwarka me ek mandir me lunch karenge

As soon as we got into the auto to reach the Jetty we got a call from our auto driver who was fuming because we went to this temple and were late. 

We quickly made our way back to the jetty and were again lucky to find the boat all set to leave and in no time we were back in our auto to go to our last destination today i.e Rukamani Temple.

Gopi Talav | Dwarka | Gujarat Series

After visiting the Nageshwar Temple we were told by our auto riksha driver that  there is a Pond nearby known as Gopi Talav (Gopi Talab or pond), a pond situated in Dwarka, 

After the lord Krishna moved to Dwarka, the Gopis of Vrindavan could not bear this separation and came to meet him one last time.

Gujarat is believed to be the divine place where all the Gopis performed their last raas leela with lord Krishna. There is a  belief that the Gopis of Vrindavan met Krishna one last time here in Dwarka at Gopi Talav and danced in complete divinity. 

After the last raas leela, all the Gopis offered their lives to the soil of this land—thereby in unison with the lord, they attained moksha.

Legend has it that they turned into yellow clay or sand which is also known as Gopi Chandan.

Besides this legend, the Gopi Talav is also associated with Arjuna, who after the Kurushetra battle considered himself to be the best warrior. However, to make him realise his mistake, lord Krishna asked him to escort his queens to Bet Dwarka where on his way Arjuna got attacked and was eventually defeated. His queens couldn't take this shock and all died by jumping into this pond.

Our Journey:

After knowing so much impressive history about this Gopi Talav , what we actually saw was not so impressive. What we see is a small pond and been February most of the water was dried. Next to the Talav there are series of temple with the caretaker calling out aloud to come and visit their temple. "Ek ne toh yeh bhi kaha diya aap mandir sirf dekh lijiye kuch dakshina maat dena" 

We circumvented the talav to check out in entirety. At one point I saw Veergad or victory stone often seen in Maharastra. As there was not much to be explored we moved on to our next destination Bet Dwarka.( I was very eager to see this place because it was here that Sudama met lord Krishna.)

Please click here to read about Bet Dwarka.

Jawhar Trip

I was travelling in Dwarka( You can click here to read about Dwarka trip) when I received a message from my friend Ajay as to whether I would be interested in joining him for the road trip to Jawhar, though I was travelling and knew that there would be hardly a gap of 2-3 days between my 5 days trip of Gujarat and this trip I was still not deterred away and I said I'll be joining him. Dil toh pagal hai...🎼🎼

Dil toh Pagal hai

Talking of Jawhar, you will be surprised to know that it is actually a hill station at around 440 metres above sea level. More than its hill station exploits its more visited for the the palace and   Waterfall ! 

The best time to visit Jawhar is in monsoon , but as we are incorrigible wanderers so seasons are not a constraint for us. Ab jo dil kiya, toh  nikal pade hum. 

Team all set to go

Our Journey:

We are early birds🌞 hence I started from my house at around 5:30 am and reached Mira Road Railway station where one of our friend was getting a car. One car and 4 of us singing Suhana safar aur yeh mausam hasin  🎼🎼 we were off to our Weekend Wandering. 

We took to the Mumbai Ahmedabad Highway, the morning was still dark, sun was just trying to come out of the blankets of clouds and apni toh bas... Manu bhai ghadi chali pum pum...🎼🎼🎼

When we were planning this trip I remembered that there is a Lake by the name of Vandri.

Sunrise at Vandri Lake

 So I requested Ajay that we will make a diversion of 5-6 kms and visit Vandri which we did. Morning sunrise near the lake is always an enchanting experience and we were the lucky one to be present there. Enjoyed the place and moved on to the highway again

Wont you like to spend sometime here ?

Amazing place with even more amazing friends

We took our breakfast halt at Datta Snacks, grabbed few hot Wada Pav and Misal and soon was on our way. If you are going from Mumbai to Jawhar, one needs to take a right after crossing Mastan Naka flyover. (Landmark is Manor Telephone exchange.) But as we all wanted to have Darshan of Mahalaxmi so we all decided that we will first go to Dahanu Mahalaxmi temple and later from there we will go to Jawhar. Thus we skipped this right and went till Charoti Naka  and with hardly a kilometre away we came across the Mahalaxmi Temple.

Shops in front of the Mahalaxmi Temple 

Mahalaxmi Temple of Dahanu

Luckily as we were early so there was not much of a crowd. We had a quick Darshan, clicked few pictures of some interesting artifacts and were again on our way. 

Veergad or Victory stone

Interesting artefacts

We came out of the temple and took the highway but turned left to go to Charoti naka again and took left on Jawhar-Dahanu road or Kasa village side to be more precise.

Dry trees dotted the Jawhar road

This serpentine road went about through villages, forest which in the month of February was not at all looking attractive but I can promise you that in monsoon this same route will take your breath away.

Dont get fooled by these dry trees,
In monsoon they spell magic !

We took our photo break at Kasatwadi, where they have built a watch tower kind of thing. (One can have a good look of valley from here) 

We all dashed and climbed the tower in no time but the structure was too shaky for my liking , the wooden planks at the top platform was in a very bad state, Pata chal photo ke chaker me upar se crash land  but then Men will be men  Jeeye gaya marega , Saala photo ke liye kuch bhi karega.😀

Photo ke liye kuch bhi karega

We all had a good photo session here for sometime and boarded our car once again.

Our next stop was Jai Vilas Palace.

Jai Vilas Palace

It is a small but very nice palace built by Raje Yeshwant Rao Maukne at Jawhar.

 This place could have offered much more grandiose than what it is offering today. Such beautiful palace lying in utter neglect. Itna neglected ki ek sign board bhi nahi lagaya for direction from the road. 

Its owner Maukne Family I was told is currently staying in Pune. The Palace is taken care by the caretaker who resides just next to it. One can see the interior by requesting the caretaker.The door to the Palace was locked. so we took the opportunity to do a photo shoot.

Locked Door and Photo Shoot

The place is built in the syenite stone, brought from an quarry at Sakhara, which is 12 km from its location. It is said that when the work of the palace was completed, the quarry from, which the stones were extracted was broken down and covered; the exact location of the quarry is lost in time. The Geological Department, of Government of India has now taken up a task to locate the lost quarry. Due to its unique architecture style and location, the palace has featured in several films in Marathi and Hindi.viz Great Grand Masti (Source:Wikipedia)

Starcast of Great Great Grand Masti 😄😄

Just next to Jai Vilas Palace is Hanuman Point. Its basically a temple and also a kind of viewing gallery from where you can see valley on three sides.

The valley is 500 feet deep and one can see Mahuli fort from here during the day time and at night one can see the lights of train passing through Kasara Ghat. Hanuman Point is also called Devkobacha Kada.

Hanuman Point

We moved out from here to check out our next stop which was  Jawhar Fort but was hugely disappointed to see that there was no such fort only a huge gate. 

The only remains of Jawhar Fort

We left from here to go to Jai Sagar Dam and on the way came across a Clock tower san the clock

Clock Tower

Clock ke naam per sirf hollow hole. Anyways photo le liya socha sayad koi blog pad kar Clock lagane ki soch le 😄 


We diverted from the main road and took a left from the clock tower. The road to Jai Sagar dam was quite narrow but thank fully good in condition, in few minutes we were at the Jai Sagar Dam.

Jai Sagar Dam

Jai Sagar Dam is a small reservoir with beautiful trees across. As per the placard on the Dam, This dam was inaugurated by Yeshwant Rao Maukne on 14 th Sept, 1961 and Rs 12,27,158=00 was spent on its construction.

As usual Our WE WERE HERE MOMENT 😜

 we spent some time enjoying the beauty of the place  feeling the cool breeze and the shade.Apna mandatory photo shoot suru ho gaya , lekin kya kare yatri ko araam kahan... usse toh mazile pukarti hai.

We now started to move towards Khad Khad Dam.As we drove the road was getting bad to worse hence driving was becoming a task kyo ki puri ghadi hi khad khad karne ne lagi thi.😉 

Khad Khad Dam

Ab samjha is dam ka naam khad khad kyo pada Anyway jokes apart, we saw this dam from far and took the pictures. The climate was very hot so no one dared to climb the wall of the dam to have a closer look. Zoom kar ke camera se view dekh liya 😜

Close look of Khad Khad Dam

The road from this place to go to Dabhosha water fall was getting worse. At one point laga ki Tractor me aana chaiye. We were infact planing to take a you turn and go via the main road, but then we saw a villager driving his wife on motorcycle, coming from opposite side, he encouraged us to risk it and go further.

Just imagine driving thru this barren land.

Thankfully we joined the main road again and were on course to Dabhosha Waterfall.It was 2:45 by the time we reached Dabhosha Waterfall. The road was very very bad , pata nahi barish me log kaise aate hai. Would you believe that even in the month of Feb we were able to see the water falling in a waterfall.

Just watching the waterfall all the tiredness of the journey evaporated and we were so happy to be here.

Dabhosha Waterfall

The heat was full on, the stomach was screaming with hunger and worse there was nothing available to eat , but trekkers that we are we do keep little bit with us. Ab joh bhi tha hum sab ne mil bantkar kha liye pyar se. We decided against going to the waterfall as we had to descend atleast 150 feet in the valley and later come up too ! we were hard pressed for time so we skipped taking a dip in the water and kept it for the rainy day (Literally) 😀.

We quickly drove back but not before hogging on a watermelon sold by the villager and later gulping chilled sweet lassi and Paneer Pakodas at Bhajanlal Dairy.

It was 8 pm when we reached Mira Road. A Sunday well spent should I must say.

I want to thank Dr Ajay, Jatin Shah and Ajinkya for allowing me to share their pictures, and Pritesh for driving his car and bringing us safely back.