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TEMPLE · HANUMANHanuman Dandi
On the island of Bet Dwarka, a beloved Hanuman temple where Hanuman and his son Makardhwaja are worshipped together — a rare father-and-son shrine.
Where Hanuman meets his son
On the sacred island of Bet Dwarka, a short way from its main Krishna temple, stands Hanuman Dandi — one of the island’s most beloved shrines, and a genuinely unusual one. Here Hanuman is worshipped not alone but alongside his son, Makardhwaja, the two idols enshrined together.
The legend behind it is wonderful. As Hanuman journeyed to the netherworld of Patala to rescue Rama and Lakshmana, he is said to have discovered a mighty guardian at its gates — Makardhwaja, born from a drop of his sweat swallowed by a great fish (makara). Father and son recognised one another, and so they are honoured side by side.
Warm, devotional and ringed by sea air, Hanuman Dandi is a favourite stop for pilgrims crossing to Bet Dwarka.
From a riverside experiment to the road to freedom
Illustration — a father-and-son shrine.
Hanuman journeys to Patala to rescue Rama and Lakshmana.
He finds his son, born of his sweat swallowed by a fish, guarding the gates.
Father and son come to be worshipped together at Bet Dwarka.
A beloved, much-visited stop on the island pilgrimage.
Reasons to make the time
Rare shrine
Hanuman and Makardhwaja worshipped together.
Great legend
The story of the fish-born son.
Island setting
On sacred Bet Dwarka, ringed by sea.
Warm devotion
A lively, much-loved local shrine.
With Bet Dwarka
Easily paired with the island temple.
Sea air
A breezy, peaceful island stop.
What to look for inside
Hanuman & Makardhwaja
The twin idols enshrined together.
Bet Dwarka shrine
A devotional stop by the sea.
How to spend an hour or two
Cross to Bet Dwarka
Take the ferry from Okha jetty.
Take darshan
Worship Hanuman and Makardhwaja.
Hear the legend
Learn the tale of the fish-born son.
Visit the main temple
See Bet Dwarka's Krishna shrine too.
Enjoy the sea air
Linger on the breezy island.
Mind the ferry
Watch the return-boat timings.
A simple, beloved island temple
Hanuman Dandi is an unpretentious island shrine rather than a grand monument — a modest temple, brightly kept and busy with worship, whose fame rests on its deities rather than its scale. Within, the idols of Hanuman and his son Makardhwaja stand together, the rare pairing that draws pilgrims here.
Its setting is part of its charm: low on the island of Bet Dwarka, with the sea and the comings and goings of ferries never far away.
Twin Hanuman & Makardhwaja idols
A bright, devotional island shrine
Set on sacred Bet Dwarka
Steps from the island Krishna temple
When to go
Cool and pleasant — the best season for Dwarka's temples.
Warm and humid with sea breezes; Janmashtami is a highlight.
Hot and bright; sea breezes ease it — go early or late.
⏰ Visit in the morning after the ferry crossing, and keep an eye on the last return-boat to Okha.
Timings & entry
- Open through the day for darshan
- Reached via the Bet Dwarka ferry
- Footwear off; modest dress
- Allow about 30 minutes
- No entry fee for darshan
- Ferry to Bet Dwarka is charged
- Mind the last return-boat timing
- Carry water and sun protection
Getting there
By Air
Jamnagar Airport (~160 km), then road to Okha.
By Ferry
Cross from Okha jetty to Bet Dwarka island.
By Road
Drive to Okha (~30 km from Dwarka), then ferry or bridge.
At the shrine
FAITH & SEA
An island shrine of father and son
What to shoot
The shrine exterior and island devotion.
Best light
Bright morning light on the island.
On the way
The ferry crossing and Okha jetty.
Surrounds
Sea, boats and island lanes.
Know before you go
More to see close by
Marine National Park
Coral, dolphins & seabirds near Positra
Somnath (nearby)
The first Jyotirlinga, down the coast
Gomti Ghat
Bathing ghats & the Sudama Setu bridge
Dwarka Math (Sharada Peeth)
One of the twelve sacred Jyotirlingas
Sudama Setu
A swaying pedestrian bridge over the Gomti
Nageshwar
◐ The colossal Shiva statue
Where to eat around the ashram
Kathiawadi Thali
Unlimited rotla, kadhi, shaak and ghee-rich fare.
Ganthiya & farsan
Sev, ganthiya and fried snacks in the bazaars.
Temple-town bites
Chaat, kachori and sweets near the temple.
Pure-veg & prasad
Dwarka is largely vegetarian; temple prasad is offered.
Hanuman Dandi FAQ
Where is Hanuman Dandi?
On the island of Bet Dwarka, near its main Krishna temple.
What makes it special?
Hanuman is worshipped together with his son, Makardhwaja — a rare pairing.
Who is Makardhwaja?
Hanuman's son, said to be born from his sweat swallowed by a fish, guardian of Patala.
How do I get there?
By ferry from Okha jetty to Bet Dwarka, then a short way to the shrine.
Is there an entry fee?
No, darshan is free; the ferry is charged.
What are the timings?
Daylight hours, through the day.
How long should I spend?
About 30 minutes, alongside the island temple.
When should I go?
Mornings, after the ferry crossing.
Related places across Gujarat
Balasinor Palace
A Nawab's garden-palace heritage stay
Statue of Unity
The world's tallest statue, ~90 km away
Dahej Coast
Where the Narmada meets the Gulf
Vadnagar
An 11th-century masterpiece with a stepped tank
Dwarka
~220 km
Navlakhi Vav
A grand stepwell within the palace grounds
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