The sun’s warm rays fall on the glittering water of the Arabian Sea, stretching as far as the eye can see. White puffy clouds float in the light blue sky. As you brush a strand of hair away, the breeze will caress your face. The sounds of the sea birds complemented by the undulating waves crashing on the rocks create a sense of inner peace and harmony. A golden stretch of sand and the smell of the salty air welcome you into Porbandar’s small coastal town.
“Come, breathe in a bit of Gujarat.”
Enjoy a refreshing drink of coconut water as you continue reading this feature on the birthplace of Mahatma
Gandhi.
How to get there
By Air: Porbandar Airport has two regular flights i.e. Mumbai & Ahmedabad.
By Train: 16 trains from different parts of India frequent the PBD Station.
Check out the train schedule here.
By Road: Porbandar is accessible by government and private bus services via State and National Highways.
The weather in Porbandar is pleasant all year round.
However, it is wise to avoid it in summers from March-June because of heat and humidity.
History
Let us begin by turning the clock back and looking into the lost pages of history.
Porbandar came under the British protectorate from 1809 with the East India Company. After 1857, the first war of Independence, the East India Company left the Indian shores leaving the rule to the crown of England. They would have continued to rule uninterrupted, and India would have still been a British colony.
However, a change was to come, that would put an end to the British rule. An independent country would rise from the ashes to bring freedom to its people. A new leader among men was born on October 02, 1869, in this low profile and immemorial State that was soon going to write a new chapter in history. A new chapter in “Ahimsa” or Non Violence; a new beginning of the Satyagraha Movement that one day the entire world would acknowledge.
Today, Porbandar and Gandhi are synonyms for most Indians. Apart from an eventful Indian and British history, Porbandar has a lot to offer to its tourist. The most visited place in Porbander is Gandhi’s house (now a well-kept museum).
Kirti Mandir
The Kirti Mandir Complex tells the story of his childhood days. As a child, the father of our nation was lovingly called “Moniya” (short for Mohandas) by his parents. Youngest of six children, he was adored by his
family and friends. Though he was an introverted child, Gandhi was sensitive towards other children and
disregarded the idea of untouchability even before the age of 7. At 13, Bapu was married to Kasturba from Porbandar.
Their memorial, the Kirti Mandir dons life-size oil paintings of the couple and, many of their iconic belongings are displayed in the museum and library. The exact place where the Mahatma is born is marked with a swastika for identification.
Other Tourist Attractions
The Jethwas, one of the oldest Rajput dynasties, had an eye for architecture, both Indian and buildings
with European Influence. The Jethwa’s creation in stone (on the outskirts of Porbandar) Ghumli‘s
picturesque beauty, with several ancient sites that include the Ashapura temple and Gumli Ganesh
Temple is unbelievably still intact. The Barda Hills surrounding the village is an ideal location for people
who enjoy trekking.
The breath-taking Huzoor Palace, standing on the shoreline of Porbandar, is a classic example of
neoclassical architecture – the grandeur of scale, simplicity of geometric forms, and dramatic use of
columns.
Not just with history and architecture, Porbandar has also been blessed by nature – The Porbandar Bird
Sanctuary is a conservatory for 150 species of birds and protects those birds. Spread over an area of 1 sq.
Km, the sanctuary has a lake that attracts a lot of migratory birds, such as jacanas, little grebes,
whistling teals, coots, avocets, pelicans, terns, cormorants, spoonbills, and many more.
Other attractions in Porbandar include two well-known temples: Sri Hari Temple and the Shri Sudamaji
Temple, the Jambuvan caves, and the Barda Hills Wildlife Sanctuary.
Food & Culture
Tourists also enjoy Porbandar’s gastronomical delicacies, including Jalebi, Gathiya, and Fafda, with kadhi and
sambhar.
Traditional food like “Bajara no Rotalo” (pearl millet paratha), “Ringna no Oro” (mincing eggplant that is grilled over charcoal or direct fire), “Sev Tameta nu Sak” (chunks of spicy fried tomatoes and crunchy sev), “Adad ni Dal”(black gram dal), “Kadhi” (curd-based gravy), “khichadi”,” Chhas” (buttermilk),” Papad”. The most popular food like “Mori Khajali, “Masala Khajali,” “Mithi Khajali,” (Flaky Fried Biscuits) and “Thabli” make a completely balanced diet.
Khajali is a mildly spiced, deep-fried biscuit, have a bite of this Khajali and see how it crumbles into thin flakes and melts in your mouth. It is light, fluffy, and a traditional Gujarati snack which is irresistible and tastes best with hot beverages.
Dances performed by “Maher” communities such as “Manyaro” and “Raas Garba” further enrich the culture of
Porbandar. Colorful items with unique geometric designs representing ancient Gujarati patterns on Cotton garments, clay articles, furniture, jewelry, metal products, and cushions and bed covers are the main shopping ware in Porbandar for tourists. The district is also well known for its bead-work sheets, wall hangings, and shawls.
Recommended Itinerary for visiting Porbandar
If you are travelling in Saurashtra, make it a point to spend a day or two in the birthplace of Bapu.
DAY 01
Start the day with a hot cup of chai and some masala khajali. If you’re still hungry, venture into the market for some freshly made gathiya with a sweet and spicy chutney.
Visit the Bird Sanctuary, nice and early to catch a glimpse of rare species of migratory birds. Walk around water bodies and photograph colorful birds including the flamingo, heron, and pelicans. When you have had your fill of bird watching, get out of the sun and into the Kirti Mandir for a doze of our nation’s richest history. Be sure to visit the extensive photo gallery that records the highlights life of Mahatma Gandhi in monochrome. If you feel inspired by the simple but powerful life of Gandhi, pick up a book from the souvenir shop and take a little bit of him back home with you.
It is almost time for lunch, but let us make one stop along the way and visit the Sudama Temple. Jai Shri Krishna. Once you’re out of the temple, you’ll find that you’re not far from the Khadi Gramudyog outlet. A little retail therapy might do you some good.
For lunch, I recommend the Kasumbo Restaurant, which serves a wide variety of Gujarati, Punjabi, and Chinese dishes.
Reserve your late evening for a lovely boat ride with your partner at the Asmavati River Front or go for a walk on Chowpatty Beach. Skip dinner and roam the area around the New Fountain to experience local fast food and enjoy the display of water and lights.
DAY 02
If you are a trekker, I recommend you to watch the sunrise at Ghumli Palace, which is 45 km away from Porbandar. On your way back, you can visit the Jambhuvanti Caves in Ranavav.
If you want a relaxing experience, head over to Madhavpur beach for a rural retreat. Enjoy fresh coconut water, get a dip in the salty sea, and ride a camel. If you are feeling adventurous, go for some water sport activities as well. Post your experience on Instagram and make it trend. Porbandar could really use some of that tourist income.
Places to visit around Porbandar
Somnath Temple (114 km)
The Somnath Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, is said to be the first of the 12 jyotirlingas in the country.
Dwarka Temple (97 km)
The main temple at Dwarka, the Dwarkadheesh Temple, is also known as Jagat Mandir or the universal shrine.
Bet Dwarka (107 km)
Located around 30 km from the main town of Dwarka, Bet Dwarka is a small island and was the main port in the region before the development of Okha. The island has a beautiful temple with white sand beach and coral reefs the beach is popular among tourists for its marine life, sea excursions, camping and picnics.
Harshad Mata Temple (35 km)
Rukhmini Temple (101 km)
The Rukmini Mata Temple commemorates Lord Krishna’s queen. The temple is said to be more than 2500 years old but it may have been reconstructed over time.
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