Okha, India
| Okha Okha Port | |
|---|---|
| town | |
  Okha | |
| Coordinates: 22°28′0″N 69°4′0″E / 22.46667°N 69.06667°ECoordinates: 22°28′0″N 69°4′0″E / 22.46667°N 69.06667°E | |
| Country |
 India |
| State | Gujarat |
| District | Jamnagar |
| Population (2001) | |
| • Total | 18,855 |
| Languages | |
| • Official | Gujarati, Hindi |
| Time zone | IST (UTC+5:30) |
| Vehicle registration | GJ- |
Okha is a small coastal town in Jamnagar district of Gujarat state in India. It has a sea port. Okha is famous for its Krishna Temple Bet Dwarka dedicated to Krishna on Bet Dwarka island across a small creek from Okha port.
Geography
Okha is situated on a narrow strip of land that projects into sea. It is surrounded by sea on three sides and has a sandy beach on Arabian Sea coast. It has a sea port on the lee side. Bet Dwarka lies on the other side of a small creek from Okha port.
Economy
Okha is a busy and historical port in Gujarat strategically located. Historically it was the first port on west coast of India that a ship travelling along the coast from Arabia encountered. Indian Navy, Indian Coastguard, Indian Customs and Gujarat marine police have their operational command centre in Okha.[1] Okha port imports mainly lignite from the Indonesia for the thermal power stations of Gujarat and for soda ash plant of Tata Chemicals. Okha has an automobile-assembly plant.[1] Fishing and salt processing are also industries.[1] Some of the major companies in Okha is Tata Chemicals at Mithapur, about 10 km away towards Dwarka city.
Okha is connected by railway and bus to major cities of Gujarat and the rest of India. The population of the city was estimated at 18,885 in 2001.
Schools
There are two main schools in Okha.
1) Kendriya Vidyalaya, Okha
2) Panchayat School
Tourism
Haji Kirmani Pir Dargah is one of the most attractive religious place in Okha. Every year, more than half million people visit Dargah by Muslim as well as Hindu followers. While about 1.5 million Hindu devotes visit Bet Dwarka, one of the major temple of Krishna. Bet Dwarka is a small island reached by ferry service from Okha. Okha is very well known among Marine Lovers. There are hundreds of small islands in surrounding area and natural coral reefs. Dolphins are very easy to Locate in their natural habitat. Dwarka city is about 30 km from Okha.
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Okha, India, Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved September 2009.