Bet Dwarka Temple Timings: When the Island Temple Opens Its Gates
Bet Dwarka temple opens at 6:00 AM in summer and 6:30 AM in winter, closes for a midday break at 12:30 PM, and reopens at 3:00 PM (summer) or 2:30 PM (winter), staying open until 8:00 PM or 7:30 PM respectively. You cannot walk here, a ferry from Okha is the only way in.
Bet Dwarka Temple Timings: Summer vs Winter
| Session | Summer (Apr–Sep) | Winter (Oct–Mar) |
|---|---|---|
| Morning Opens | 6:00 AM | 6:30 AM |
| Midday Closure | 12:30 PM | 12:30 PM |
| Afternoon Reopen | 3:00 PM | 2:30 PM |
| Evening Close | 8:00 PM | 7:30 PM |
| Total Open Hours | ~11 hours | ~10.5 hours |
Coordinating Bet Dwarka Visit with Ferry Timings
The ferry from Okha to Bet Dwarka runs from approximately 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM. The crossing takes 20–25 minutes. Last ferry back to Okha leaves around 7:00–7:30 PM, missing it means an overnight stay on Bet Dwarka island. Plan your temple darshan to finish by 5:30 PM to comfortably catch the return ferry. During rough sea or high winds (monsoon months July–September), the ferry service is suspended without notice, check with local boatmen before departing.
Bet Dwarka Ferry Fare & Schedule (2026)
Sudarshan Setu, the 2.32 km cable-stayed bridge from Okha to Bet Dwarka, opened in February 2024 and is open around the clock. You can drive, cycle or walk across, and the footpath on either side carries verses from the Bhagavad Gita, which makes the crossing itself part of the pilgrimage for many families. Capacity is limited so queues form on weekends and festival days.
History of Bet Dwarka Temple
Bet Dwarka (also written Beyt Dwaraka) is believed to be the original residential island of Lord Krishna, where he lived during his time ruling the kingdom of Dwarka. The mainland Dwarkadhish Temple is where he is worshipped as the Lord of Dwarka, while Bet Dwarka is where his personal residence palace was believed to stand. The Bet Dwarka temple complex includes the main Dwarkadhish shrine, plus smaller temples dedicated to Rukmini, Jambavati, Satyabhama, and Laxmiji, Krishna's consorts are all worshipped individually in separate shrines within the same island complex.
The island has been inhabited since Harappan times, archaeological excavations have found pottery and structural remains dating to 1500–1000 BCE under the seabed near the island. The Marine Archaeological Centre of India has conducted multiple underwater surveys in this area. The island's current residential population is around 8,000, mostly fishermen and traders who serve the pilgrimage traffic. Basic food stalls and prasad shops line the path from the jetty to the main temple. There are no hotels on the island, day visit only is recommended.
The combined Dwarkadhish + Bet Dwarka darshan circuit is considered spiritually complete, visiting the mainland temple acknowledges Krishna as the king of Dwarka, while visiting Bet Dwarka connects with his personal, domestic aspect. Many pilgrims feel incomplete having done only one of the two.
Why Timing Your Ferry Matters More Than Temple Timings
Most pilgrims who miss Bet Dwarka do not miss it because of the temple's opening hours, they miss it because of the ferry. The ferry from Okha jetty to Bet Dwarka island runs across 3.5 km of the Arabian Sea and takes 20-30 minutes. First ferries from Okha begin around 6:00 AM. The last reliable ferries back from Bet Dwarka to Okha run until roughly 7:30-8:00 PM, after which service becomes infrequent and uncertain.
The critical planning point is this: you need to arrive at Okha jetty at least 30 minutes before you want to be on the island. If your goal is to be inside the temple when it opens at 6 AM (summer), you need to be at Okha by 5:30 AM. The road from Dwarka to Okha is 36 km and takes about 45-50 minutes. That means leaving Dwarka by 4:30-5:00 AM for the opening. Most pilgrims prefer the slightly less brutal approach of leaving Dwarka by 7:00 AM, reaching Okha by 7:45-8:00 AM, and arriving at Bet Dwarka by 8:30 AM for a comfortable morning darshan.
The midday closure at 12:30 PM also affects ferry strategy. If you arrive late and enter the temple close to noon, you may find yourself rushed out by 12:30 PM having had minimal darshan time. Plan to be inside the temple by 10:00-10:30 AM at the latest for a relaxed morning visit.
Getting from Dwarka to Bet Dwarka: The Full Route
A common misconception is that there is a ferry or boat service directly from Dwarka city to Bet Dwarka. There is none. The only way to reach Bet Dwarka is via Okha port, from which ferries cross the narrow channel. Private boats can also be hired at Okha for larger groups.
What to See at Bet Dwarka and How Long to Allow
The main Dwarkadhish Temple at Bet Dwarka is ancient and architecturally distinct from the main temple in Dwarka town. The deity here is believed to be the original private deity of Lord Krishna, not the public form worshipped at Dwarkadhish Temple in town, but the personal form that was present in Krishna's own household when Dwarka was an active city. The sanctum is smaller and more intimate, and darshan at Bet Dwarka has a different emotional quality from the larger, more processional darshan at the main temple.
Beyond the main temple, Bet Dwarka island has several smaller shrines worth visiting: the Hanuman temple, the Laxmiji temple, and the various kunds (sacred tanks) scattered across the island. The entire cluster can be covered on foot in about two hours if you walk at a moderate pace. Auto-rickshaws and e-rickshaws are available on the island for those who prefer not to walk in the heat.
Most day-trippers from Dwarka allow 2-3 hours on the island. If you are combining the trip with Nageshwar Jyotirlinga (17 km from Okha), budget your day as follows: leave Dwarka by 7 AM, Bet Dwarka darshan by 9-11 AM, Nageshwar by noon-1 PM, and back in Dwarka by 4 PM. This is the classic day excursion that most pilgrims complete as a single trip.
Practical Checklist Before Visiting Bet Dwarka
Any later and you risk reaching Bet Dwarka close to the midday closure window, leaving very little time for darshan before 12:30 PM.
Government ferry tickets are ₹40-50. There is rarely change available at the jetty. Have exact or near-exact change ready to avoid delay.
No shorts or sleeveless clothing. The island has no changing facilities, so come dressed from your hotel. The ferry crossing is breezy, a dupatta or shawl is useful.
Ferry service thins out after sunset. Being at the Bet Dwarka jetty by 7 PM gives you comfortable time to catch a return ferry without scrambling.
Nageshwar Jyotirlinga is 22 km from Okha and makes natural sense to include on the same excursion since you are already heading out of Dwarka city anyway.
Frequently Asked Questions
Also Read
Bet Dwarka Full Guide
Everything about Bet Dwarka island, the temples, the ferry, the history, and why this island holds a unique place in the Krishna pilgrimage.
Read MoreNageshwar Jyotirlinga Timings
Nageshwar temple opens at 5 AM and closes at 9 PM. Special Rudrabhishek from 6-8 AM. Combine with Bet Dwarka on the same day trip.
Read MoreDwarka Darshan Itinerary
A practical day-by-day guide to covering Bet Dwarka, Nageshwar, Dwarkadhish, ISKCON, and other temples in the right order.
Read More