Flag Officer Commanding Gujarat, Daman & Diu Naval Area (FOGNA) is a senior appointment in the Indian Navy . One of the five Area Commanders of the Indian Navy, the FOGNA is a two star admiral holding the rank of Rear Admiral . The FOGNA is responsible for the operations and administration of all units and establishments in Gujarat and Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu . The Current FOGNA is Rear Admiral Sathish Vasudev , who assumed office on 24 August 2024.
14-560: In 1966, the appointment of Naval Officer-in-Charge (NOIC) Kathiawar was created. A small forward outpost was created at Okha , under the NOIC. Initially, the NOIC was based out of Mumbai, later moving to Okha. In late 1972, the establishment was commissioned as INS Dwarka , with the NOIC (Kathiawar) as the commanding officer . In 1983, NOIC (Kathiawar) was re-designated as NOIC (Saurashtra), and moved to Dwarka II in Porbandar in 1985. NOIC (Saurashtra)
28-471: A legend, Vishnu killed the demon Shankhasura on this island. There are temples of Vishnu in the incarnation of matsya, or fish. Other shrines here are of Rukmini, Trivikrama, Devaki, Radha, Lakshmi, Satyabhama, Jambavati, Lakshmi Narayan, and many other gods.[39]. Hanuman Dandi temple is another notable temple located in Bet Dwarka, 6 kilometers (3.7 mi) away from Dhwarkadhish Temple, Bet Dwarka. The temple
42-656: Is associated with the story of the marriage of Aniruddha , the grandson of Krishna and Usha (called Okha in Gujarati), the daughter of Banasur . 18th century Gujarati Akhyana entitled Okhaharan by Premanand Bhatt recounts the same story. Okha, along with Dwarka and Bet Dwarka, was under Gaekwad of the Baroda State . During Indian rebellion of 1857 , the Vaghers captured the region in 1858. Later by joint offensive of British, Gaekwad and other princely states troops ousted
56-456: Is deified with many images of Hanuman and his son Makardhwaja. The legend associated with the birth of a son to Hanuman, who is considered celibate, is that the sweat of Hanuman was consumed by a crocodile which then gave birth to a son named Makardhwaja.[42] The Jethwa Rajput clan of Kshatriyas claim their descent from Makardhwaja. Hanuman Dandi temple The Hanuman Dandi Temple is a Hindu temple located on Beyt Dwarka , an island off
70-556: The FOGNA include: Okha, India Okha is a coastal town in Devbhoomi Dwarka district of Gujarat state in India . Dwarka is situated 30 km south, and Bet Dwarka island is situated 2.9 km across a small creek from Okha port. Okha port are a major Hindu pilgrimage sites due to a temple dedicated to Krishna . The town is mentioned in ancient Indian epic literature. It
84-519: The Maharashtra and Gujarat Naval Area was divided to make two separate headquarters under Flag Officer Commanding Maharashtra Naval Area (FOMA) and Flag Officer Commanding Gujarat Naval Area (FOGNA). The last Flag Officer Commanding Maharashtra and Gujarat Naval Area, Rear Admiral Murlidhar Sadashiv Pawar handed over command of the Maharashtra Area to Rear Admiral S. N. Ghormade and officiated as
98-508: The coast of Gujarat , India , dedicated to the deity Hanuman and his son Makardhwaj . Situated approximately 5 kilometers from the Dwarkadhish Temple in Bet Dwarka, this temple is unique as it features idols of Hanuman and Makardhwaj, showcasing a rare depiction of Hanuman, who is traditionally considered a celibate, with his progeny. According to mythology , during the battle of Ramayana , Hanuman encountered Makardhwaj , who
112-665: The first Flag Officer Gujarat Naval Area. The FOGNA is assisted by the NOIC (Gujarat), a one-star appointment. The NOIC (Guj) also serves as the Chief Staff Officer at Headquarters Gujarat Naval Area (HQGNA). The FOGNA is responsible to the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Western Naval Command for the operations and administration of all units and establishments in Gujarat and Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu . The establishments under
126-557: 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. 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. Fishing and salt processing are also industries. Some of
140-456: The major companies in Okha is Tata Chemicals at Mithapur, about 10 km away towards Dwarka city. Okha is connected by railway at Okha railway station , and by bus, to major cities of Gujarat and the rest of India. The population of the city was estimated at 18,885 in 2001. There are four main schools in Okha. Bet Dwarka, an island in the Arabian Sea off the coast of Dwarka. Considered
154-541: The original residence of Krishna, Bet Dwarka was the old port during the ancient times of Krishna before the Okha port was developed in Dwarka. The temple built here is credited to the religious Guru Vallabhacharya of the "Pushtimarg Sampradaya". Rice is the traditional offering here to the deity as it is believed that Sudama offered rice to his childhood friend Krishna. There are also smaller shrines on Bet Dwarka which are dedicated to Shiva, Vishnu, Hanuman and Devi.[42] According to
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#1733092851527168-451: The rebels and recaptured the region in 1859. Okha is situated on a narrow strip of land that projects into the sea. It is surrounded by sea on three sides and has a sandy beach on the Arabian Sea coast. It has a sea port on the lee side. But Dwarka lies on the other side of a small creek from Okha port. Okha is a busy and historical port in Gujarat strategically located. Historically it was
182-484: Was again later re-designated as NOIC (Gujarat) in 1997. In the 1980s, a proposal to upgrade NOIC to Flag Officer Saurashtra Area (FOSA) was mooted but shelved. For a brief period, the Maharashtra Naval Area was expanded to include Gujarat, Daman and Diu. The Flag Officer Commanding Maharashtra and Gujarat Naval Area headed the combined Naval area. In 2015, to enhance the operational and administrative efficiency,
196-478: Was born from Hanuman's sweat droplets consumed by a fish. The temple commemorates their meeting and represents themes of duty, valor, and familial bonds in the lore of Hanuman. The temple architecture embodies typical elements of Gujarati design but is notably simplistic, focusing on the sanctity of the idols rather than ornate embellishment. Hanuman Dandi Temple is a significant pilgrimage site, attracting devotees who come to pay homage to Hanuman and explore
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