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Devbhumi Dwarka district

Overview

Devbhumi Dwarka district is an administrative district in the western part of the Indian state of Gujarat. Located on the Saurashtra peninsula along the Arabian Sea coast, the district takes its name from the ancient pilgrimage town of Dwarka, which is traditionally associated with Lord Krishna and is among the four dhams of Hindu pilgrimage. The district was carved out of the larger Jamnagar district in 2013 as part of a state-level reorganisation of districts in Gujarat.

Key facts

State Gujarat
Region Saurashtra
Headquarters Khambhalia
Formed 2013 (bifurcated from Jamnagar district)
Major town Dwarka
Coastline Arabian Sea, Gulf of Kutch

Background

The district was constituted on 15 August 2013, when the Government of Gujarat reorganised several districts and created seven new ones. Devbhumi Dwarka was formed by separating the western talukas of the erstwhile Jamnagar district. The administrative headquarters was established at Khambhalia, while the historically prominent town of Dwarka remains the district's best-known settlement and a major centre of religious tourism.

Administrative divisions

The district is organised into the following talukas:

  • Dwarka
  • Khambhalia
  • Bhanvad
  • Kalyanpur

Geography

Devbhumi Dwarka occupies the north-western tip of the Saurashtra peninsula. It is bounded by the Gulf of Kutch to the north, the Arabian Sea to the west and south, Jamnagar district to the east, and Porbandar district to the south-east. The terrain is largely flat to gently undulating, with a long coastline that includes the islands of Bet Dwarka and the marine ecosystem of the Gulf of Kutch. The Marine National Park, India's first marine national park, extends along parts of the coast.

Economy

The district's economy is supported by agriculture, fisheries, salt production, cement manufacturing, and pilgrimage-driven tourism. Groundnut, cotton, bajra and pulses are among the principal crops. The deep-water port of Okha and adjoining facilities serve coastal trade and connect to Bet Dwarka by ferry. Tourism centred on the Dwarkadhish Temple, the Nageshwar Jyotirlinga and Bet Dwarka contributes significantly to local livelihoods.

Religious and cultural significance

Dwarka is regarded as one of the Char Dham pilgrimage sites established in Hindu tradition by Adi Shankaracharya, and is also counted among the Sapta Puri, the seven sacred cities. The Dwarkadhish Temple, dedicated to Krishna, is the principal shrine. Nageshwar, near Dwarka, is venerated as one of the twelve Jyotirlingas of Shiva. Bet Dwarka, an island reached from Okha, is associated with episodes from Krishna's life. The presence of these sites gives the district its name Devbhumi, meaning "land of the gods".

Transport

The district is served by the western broad-gauge line of Indian Railways, with stations at Dwarka, Khambhalia and Okha. National Highway 51 connects the area to Jamnagar and onward to the rest of Gujarat. The nearest major airport is at Jamnagar.

References