Porbandar -Tourism

Porbandar is the coastal heritage town of Gujarat. This ancient port is located on the Saurashtra peninsula, on the Arabian Sea. This city is described in Skanda Purana as Sudamapuri and Ashmavati. According to the legends this city was the main link of the great friendship between Lord Krishna and Sudama. Porbandar was established as a capital by Rana Sartanji in 1785 AD. Porbandar, originally a fortified town, with high rampart walls, bastions and five gates, lost its fortification by the order of Colonel Lally in 1888 AD. Even today, a ritual to circumambulate the fortification is performed by Hindus. Porbandar is also associated with the Mahatma Gandhi as at this place Mahatama Gandhi was born in 1869 AD. The most impressive feature of Porbandar is the city planning and the stone buildings with ashlar masonary and rich carving, the facades of the houses on either side of the streets, with windows and carved gateways.

History of Porbandar- Porbandar was the last capital of the Jethwa Rajputs, who ruled this area for about 1200 years. Porbandar was a prosperous town due to the maritime trade and was a thriving port in the Mughal period. It was attacked by the Portuguese in the wake of achieving supremacy over sea trade in 1531 AD. The Walker Treaty of 1807 AD between the ruling clans of Saurashtra and the British put an end to the feuds and it resulted in a favorable environment for the civic development of the Porbandar State.

Tourist attractions in Porbandar- Various tourist attractions in Porbandar are Kirti Mandir, Darbargadh, Sudama temple and the Huzoor Palace. Kirti Mandir was the house of the Mahatma Gandhi and Kasturba, his wife. This place has a Gandhian library and a prayer hall. Sudama temple is a beautiful temple which is built in the middle of the Porbandar town. This temple is the only temple in India which is dedicated to Sudama. The maze on the platform in the campus is an interesting feature. Darbargadh is the fortified palace built by Rana Sartanji. This palace has a huge carved stone entrance gate flanked by high turrets and massive wooden doors. It is a typical example of such royal enclosures situated within the town of Gujarat. Huzoor Palace is the sprawling palace, built in the European style with sloping roofs, several wings and big windows.

How to Reach there:

By Air- Porbandar is connected by air to Mumbai.

By Rail- The nearest railway station is located on the Porbandar - Ahmedabad railway line

By Road- Porbandar is connected with various cities of Gujarat like Ahmedabad, Rajkot and Jamnagar.