Porbander

Porbander

Location: In the state of Gujarat, situated in the western part of India.

Porbander is an ancient port on the Saurashtra peninsula, strongly attached with Indian history because of its association with Mahatma Gandhi. It is being the birth place of Mahatma Gandhi. Kirti Mandir, which was once the residence of Mahatma Gandhi, is now a major tourist attraction. Porbander is one of the oldest town in western India. The town is also mentioned in Puranic era. According to Hindu mythology, Porbander is the birth place Sudama(great friend of Krishna) and here many tales about Lord Krishna and Sudama originated. The present city was established in 1785 AD by Rana Sartanji. The bastioned around the city testify the illustrious rule of Rana. But during British rule, under the orders of Colonel Lally, it lost its fortification.

Porbander is a small and friendly beach side town on the southeast coast of Gujarat. Though the sea is not suitable for swimming but the gentle walking on the tree lined streets enjoying the livening sea breeze, is surely on the itinerary. The place is also studded with many religious and public buildings dominated by the calm water of the sea. There are many attractive places to see other than excursions to Modpar Fort, Ghumli, famous Harshad Mata Temple and Barda Wildlife Sanctuary.

Gope:

Gope:
50-km northeast of Porbandar, Gope has a 6th century temple with a sanctuary on a platform and the usual pyramidal 'shikhar' roof. The temple is in a terribly dilapidated condition but is important, as it is one of the first to have a roof of this design.

Ghumli:

Ghumli:
It was the capital of the Jetwas long before they moved to Porbander. The place is famous for its Naulakha temple, considered to be the oldest Sun Temple in India built around the 8th century, and the 12th century Vikia Vav (step well), with numerous flights of steps and string-coursed carvings.

Morvi:

Morvi:
The town is famous for its clocks, tiles and the ceramic manufacture. The erstwhile ruler of the State constructed a temple with adjoining secretariat, which is known as Wag Palace or Wellington Secretariat. The Suspension Bridge is an important landmark of the town. The bridge, 765 ft. long and 4.5 ft. wide, receives its support only from the pillars on the banks. The roadway is hung across the river on iron ropes passing over towers and anchored.

Daria Rajmahal:

Daria Rajmahal:
A short walk from the Huzoor Palace leads to Daria Rajmahal, Probandar's sea facing city palace, built in a style that blends Arabic, Indian, Gothic, and Renaissance architecture. The entrance is through a Gothic style archway, crowned by a tall tower that offers a marvelous view of the palace courtyards, the beach beyond, and the sea. Nothing remains of the Darbar Hall now, and the palace has now been turned into a college.

Porbandar Tourism

Porbandar Tourism

Porbandar was the last capital of the Jethwa Rajputs, who ruled this area for about 1200 years- shifting capitals from Ghumli, Ranpur and Chhaya. Present day 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.

The prosperity of Porbandar was due to maritime trade and it 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.

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 series of windows, carved gateways, using eclectic architectural Rajasthani Language, invites tourists to experience the streetscape on foot. The series of vistas enriched by a skyline of temples and beautiful public buildings and edifices overlooking the sea on Marine Drive puts Porbandar on the list of coastal heritage towns of Gujarat.

Kirti Mandir is built next to the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi, who was born here in 1869 AD. Lacs of Indian tourists visit the house of the Mahatma and Kasturba, his wife. Kirti Mandir has a Gandhian library and a prayer hall.

There is no Indian, who has not heard of the legendary friendship of king and devotee- Krishna and Sudama- starting from the ashram of Sandipani Rishi and culminating at the court of Lord Krishna, in the city of gold, Dwarika. The story comes alive with the sight of a beautiful temple in the middle of Porbandar town. In whole of India, this is the only temple dedicated to Sudama. The maze on the platform in the campus is an interesting feature.

Rana Sartanji built Darbargadh, the fortified palace, with 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. The nearby edifices on the left of the entrance are also good examples of large mansions with courtyards and intricately carved wooden elements.

Rana Sartanji built the three-storeyed summer pavilion, Sartanji Choro, in Rajput style as a retreat in the midst of the garden, each side representing a different season. The pillars with images of musicians, profusely carved foliated arches and a single dome at the top gives an idea of bygone days, when Rana Sartanji used to compose poems in Braj bhasha, sitting under this pavillion.

Huzoor Palace is located at the end of Marine Drive, in a huge campus. The sprawling palace, built in the European style with sloping roofs is a horizontal structure with several wings and big windows, overlooking the sea. The wings are interspersed with the back and front yards, bringing nature and the building together by gardens and fountains. The semi-circular porticos with neo-classical pillars, decorated entrance gate and commanding view makes it a must for the visitor. Other such examples of Royal and Public heritage buildings from the colonial period are public library, old Raj Mahal (now a college), Victoria Jubilee Madresa, Collectorate, Bhavsinhji High School, Natwarsinhji Sports Club.

Porbandar Bird Sanctury

Porbandar Bird Sanctury (Porbandar - Gujarat)

Location: Porbandar, Gujarat. Area: 1 Sq Km. Famous For: Bird Population. Best Season: October To March. Located in the heart of Porbandar city, this small bird sanctuary approximately 1sq km in area is home to a variety of wildfowl, teals, ibis, curlews, and a sizeable number of migratory birds. GETTING THERE Air: The nearest Airport is at Porbandar, 5 kms. Rail: The nearest Railway Station is at Porbandar, 5 kms.

Dhoraji Fort

Dhoraji Fort – PORBAndar
The fortification of Dhoraji was completed in 1755 AD. The massive fort wall has several bastions, 4 main gates and 3 smaller gates, known as baris. The four main gates are Kathiawadi Darwaja in the East, Porbandar Gate in the West, Halar Gate in the North and Junagadh Gate in the South. The smaller gates are- Darbari Bari, Bhimji Bari and Sati Bari. Darbargadh in Dhoraji is located at the highest point in the town and is approached by Darbari Bari; a beautiful gate adorned with jharokha, resting on brackets of 4 elephant statues in different poses.

A finely carved entrance gate leads to Darbargadh in the middle of a courtyard. Darbargadh is a three a multi-storey structure on a high plinth. The facade is ornamented with sculptures of musicians, complex geometric pattern, images of lions in different postures on long caves, profusely carved pillars, horizontal friezes, decorative kanguras and windows framing the skyline. It is designed like a jewel box - in the same architectural style of Navlakha Places at Gondal.

Porbandar

Porbandar

Way :
Ahmedabad - 392 KM

Photo Gallery

As we cross the creek here we come to the Miyani village. The innumerable commemorative stones of the persons who laid their lives for some legendary reasons over the time, appear from a distance as if a large group of cows are sitting down to ruminate. After saluting the bravery shown in wars, romantic stories and self sacrifice, we move on further to reach the town of Porbandar.

Another name of Porbandar is Sudamapuri, a city named after the best, if the poorest friend of Lord Krishna. Another such famous man of Porbbandar, also keeping himself like the poorest of Indians, wearing only one unstitched cloth and yet an incomparable man is viz. Mahatma Gandhi. While the life of the first Sudama lives on only in traditional literature, the story of Gandhi is very recent and most well known over the world.

It is said that since the time of Raja Vikramsinh, the post of chief minister of the state was in the hands of the Gandhi family. The last of the scions was Karamchand Gandhi. To his wife Putliba was born Mohandas, who later became India's 'Father of the Nation'. It is a coincidence that Gandhiji's wife Kasturba also was born in the same city and she also came to be called 'Ba' or Mother by everyone in India. Even today we can see the room and the home where Gandhiji was born. It has naturally become a place of national heritage, and is renamed as "Kirti Mandir'. It gives a real thrill to actually be there and not just see but touch the things that Gandhiji must have touched and used in his early life there. This "Kirti Mandir' has been erected by another great son of the town, Nanji Kalidas. He has aiso built 'Bharat Mandir'and 'Tara Mandir' in the memory of the great ancient sages and seers of India and some images of these distinguished men and women are also placed here.

Porbandar has not only Gandhi Smritit and Gurukul as places of interest; it also has the ancient temple of Sudama. The greatest attraction however is its seacoast, and one should never leave the town without looking at it.

It is said that Porbandar is the city, well-known for two Mohans. One is the Lord Krishna one of the names for whom is Mohan and another is Gandhiji-whos real name is 'Mohan' das Gandhi.

Tourism in Porbandar

Tourism in Porbandar

A visit to Tourism of Gujarat along with a guided tour across the city of Porbandar, situated in Gujarat, India, would take an interested tourist across the delights and historic masterpieces of Porbandar, located in Gujarat, India. Tourism of Gujarat, offers to a tourist information that Porbandar, situated in Gujarat, India, was home to the Jetwa Rajputs, who ruled the majority of the region in the Kathiawar Peninsula for a period of 2000 years. Along with this, Porbandar, in a more recent past happens to be the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhiji, in the year 1869 A.D. Porbandar, situated in Gujarat, India, is home to the names of Indian founding fathers like Swami Vivekanand and Rabindranath Tagore, to site a few of the names.

Tourism of Gujarat, offers to the tourist, access to the delights of Porbandar, located in Gujarat, India. Porbandar, situated in Gujarat, India, is also home to travel destinations like Huzoor Palace, which resemblances a European villa or a mansion and the various structures of the building are built in a zig-zagged formation which leads to places being made open for gardens and fountains, courtyards and forecourts, too. Mahatma Gandhi's family haveli is three storied with a photographic display of Mahatma Gandhi's life and times and the role he played in the Indian freedom struggle.

Kirti Mandir

Kirti Mandir

City : Porbandar

The Kirti Mandir's premises is a three storeyed ancestral house of Gandhiji wherein the exact place where Putlibai, Gandhiji's mother, had given birth to the child Gandhi marked with a 'swastik'. Narrow wooden staircase leads the visitor to upper storey, in particular to Gandhiji's reading-room.

The adjoining new building, Kirti Mandir, houses a Gandhian library, a prayer hall, a nursery and a steeple decorated with episodes from Gandhiji's life. Behind Kirti Mandir is Navi Khadki, where Kasturba, Gandhiji's wife was born.

Porbandar, Gujarat

Porbandar, Gujarat

Porbandar, situated at the end of Saurashtra is a seaport on the Arabian Sea having pleasant beaches with beach villas. Porbandar is Birthplace of the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, Porbandar is an intermediate seaport on the southwest coast of Saurashtra. To commemorate the birth of Gandhiji, a 79 feet high imposing building has been built in an otherwise simple lane of the city where Bapu was born in 1869 AD. It is also known as "White City" because of its white stone construction. Visitors are also attracted to Bharat Mandir, depicting great men and religious preceptors of India, and to the Chowpaty, which offers a beautiful view of the beachfront. Modern villas have come up lately and there is also a small parlour serving refreshments.

The very name evokes visions of Mahatma Gandhi who was born in this prosperous princely city on October 2, 1869. But the history of Porbandar goes back many centuries to Sudamapuri mentioned in the Hindu epic, Mahabharata, as the home of lord Krishna's friend, Sudama, and almost certainly the Paureliva, mentioned in the 9th century inscriptions at Ghumli. Porbandar is a paradise for bird watchers. Great flocks of flamingoes, both greater and lesser, can be seen at a remarkably close range around the coastal marshes.

Porbandar is 40 Kms From Rajkot, Gujarat..

Darbargadh

Darbargadh is a fortified palace found built by Rana Sartanji at Porbandar. It has a huge carved stone entrance flanked by massive wooden doors and high turrets. The edifices lying to the left of the entrance are typical examples the royal enclosures situated within the town of Gujarat- large mansions with courtyards and intricately carved wooden elements. The fort has several bastions, 3 small gates (baris) and 4 main gates. The main gates are Porbandar gate in the west, Kathiawar Darwaja in the east, Halar Gate in the North and Junagadh gate in the south. The smaller gates are Sita Bari, Bhinji Bari and Darbari Bari. The point of approach of Darbargadh is the Darbari Bari. It is a beautiful gate, resting on brackets of four elephant statues and adorned with a jharokha. Darbargadh is a three-storied structure standing on a high plinth. The facade is designed with complex geometric designs, sculptures of musicians, intricately carved pillars decorative kanguras and horizontal friezes. Darbargadh is designed to resemble a jewel box, in the architectural style of the Navlakha palace situated at Gondal.

The Anut Nivas Khambala was built in 1927 by Maharaja Natwarsinhji, a progressive figure. It is a large, two-storey building along straightforward classical lines in a delightful position bordering the sea. The interior is lavish but not ostentatious. The Rajput Room is a museum of Kathiawad`s past.

One of the chief attractions of Porbandar is the Kirti Mandir. It holds great significance as it is said to be the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi, and he is said to have lived here for the first twelve years of his life. It is now a memorial dedicated to the mahatma. Visitors flock to this site in order to get an insight into the life and works of Gandhiji. . In the year 1950, the building was renovated by Shri Nanji Kalidas and Shri Purushottam Mistry in reverence to the Mahatma. The upper story of the temple has Gandhi`s room and a Gandhian library which contains a wide selection of Gandhian writings to choose from. Also found within are a big prayer room, a nursey and a spire. The walls of the temple are decorated with 79 diyas, the age of the Mahatma at the time of his death.

Close to the kirti mandir is the house of Mahatma Gandhi. This haveli of the Gandhi family, built in the mid nineteenth century had three stories around a courtyard with a kitchen, a wooden shrine and seventeen rooms. This haveli has now been converted into a memorial museum with a lot of valuable memorabilia in the library. The museum holds a moving photographic pictorial display of the life and achievements of Gandhiji providing an insight into the contributions of one of the greatest freedom fighters of India.

The Grishmabhuvan is a pleasure pavilion situated at Porbandar. It was built by Maharana Sartanji in an excellent example of Rajput architectural style. The Grishmabhuvan is a three-storied summer pavilion has exquisite pillars, impressive domes and delicate arches. The four parts of the pavilion represent the four seasons.Also known as the Sartanji Choro, the pavilion was a kind of asylum for Sartanji away from the crowds of Porbandar.

An early twelfth century step well, the Vikai Vav, is also found here, located at Ghumli. This ruined step-well is one of the largest of its kind in the state, measuring almost 60 by 40.5 sq m. The well has numerous flights of steps leading up to it and string-coursed carvings. Te entrance pavilions can still be seen standing intact at three places.

The Sudama mandir is a beautiful shrine located in the centre of Porbandar city. Sudama was a close friend and devotee of Lord Krishna who was born here. It is said to be the only temple in India dedicated to Sudama. The temple was constructed between 1902 and 1907, and has an interesting story behind it. It is said that during the construction of the temple there was a depletion of funds. In order to collect money, the devotees organized drama shows, and following thus the construction of the temple was completed. There is a plaque in the temple depicting this entire course of events. A monument is found inside the temple dedicated to Shri Ram Devji Jethwa. Who is believed to have been severely attacked and wounded at the time. There is amaze found within the temple. It is said that if a person crosses this maze all his sins are forgiven.

The Bharat Mandir is situated in a beautiful garden opposite the Nehru Planetarium. The mandir has a number of murals depicting the great men and religious preceptors of India. There is a huge relief map of India on the floor. There are beautifully matched mirrors in the temple which depict the Gods and legendary personalities from the Hindu Epics and the Indian Puranas. There are six distorting mirrors in the veranda which are very popular among the children.

Porbandar, though it has a lot to offer in terms of monuments, is best known for being the birthplace of the Mahatma Gandhi. The memorial dedicated to him is therefore one of the chief attractions among the monuments of Porbandar

Daria Rajmahal

The Daria Rajmahal was built in the late 19th century by Maharaja Bhavsinhji to designs prepared by the state engineer, Phulchand Parekh. Built in creamy local stone, it stands on the edge of the Arabian Sea and, in its plan and layout, shows distinct Arab influences. However, the facades are Italianate in style, with an interesting blend of Renaissance and Gothic detail conceived by a man of knowledge and taste. Internally, the palace has all the usual princely trappings - chandeliers, painted murals and European furniture. The Town Hall, Library and most other public buildings were all built under the watchful eye of the Maharaja.

The Huzoor palace is a true architectural marvel situated at the edge of the sea. The Palace was built by Natwar Shah, and resembles a European mansion. The palace has neo-Classical pillars and porticoes with a semi-circular design with a sloping timber roof. The European style porticoes and pillars mark the entrance of the palace from different sides. The palace has various wings in a zigzag fashion and railed terraces. Surrounded by beautiful gardens and water fountains, it offers a remarkable view of the Arabian Sea.

Sartanji Choro

Rana Sartanji built Sartanji Choro, the three storeyed summer pavilion. This palace was built in the Rajput style as a retreat in the middle of the garden. Each side of the garden represent a different reason. The pillars with images of musicians, profusely carved foliated arches and a single dome at the top gives an idea of bygone days, when Rana Sartanji used to compose poems in Braj bhasha, sitting under this pavillion.

Porbandar

Location:	Porbandar District
Distance:	412 km from Ahmedabad
Main Attraction:	Birthplace of Gandhiji

Porbandar is the administrative center of the Porbandar district of Gujarat and the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi. It even finds mention in Skanda Puran as Sudamapuri and Ashmavati. According to Hindu mythology, Porbandar is the place associated with the friendship of Lord Krishna and Sudama. The present day city was established by Rana Sartanji in 1785 AD, who made it his capital. This confirms the fact that Porbandar was initially a fortified town of India. In 1888, under the orders of Colonel Lally, it lost its fortification.

The city is situated on the west coast of India and was therefore a major trade & travel center in the Mughal period. In 1531 AD, it was attacked by the Portuguese, to attain control over the sea trade of the region. In 1807 AD, the Walker Treaty of was signed between the ruling clans of Saurashtra and the British. It put an end to the conflict and helped in the development of the city. The most fascinating feature of Porbandar tourism comprises of the city's architecturally impressive buildings. The city is remarkably planned with stone structures and rich carvings.

It is dotted with numerous religious places and public buildings, overlooking the serene waters of the sea. This has made Porbandar one of the most sought after tourist destinations along the coast. There are a number of places in the city for the tourists to visit. These historic buildings stand as a reminder of the glorious bygone era. The port of the city was built in the 20th century and is regarded one of the important sea ports in the state.