Mandvi Traditional Shipbuilding Yard

The Mandvi Traditional Shipbuilding Yard is a historic working shipyard on the banks of the Rukmavati River in Mandvi, Kutch, Gujarat. Renowned for its 400-year-old tradition of handcrafting large wooden dhows and fishing boats, it is operated by the Kharva community of master carpenters who build vessels without modern blueprints using techniques passed down through generations.

Visitors can expect an active open-air working yard along the sandy banks of the Rukmavati River where large wooden dhows in various stages of construction are visible. Skilled Kharva craftsmen can be seen shaping timber, assembling hulls and finishing vessels using traditional hand tools. The setting is rustic and industrial with timber stacks, scaffolding and river views, offering close observation of the craft and opportunities for photography and interaction with artisans.