Porbandar

Introduction and history: The city of Porbandar is located on the western coast of Saurashtra, Gujarat. The name ‘Porbandar’ is derived from two words: ‘Porai’ (local goddess) and ‘Bandar’ (harbor), thereby giving the meaning of goddess’s harbor. During 10th century it was referred as ‘Pauravelakul’, which was mentioned in the Hindu epics as the hometown of Sudama, a beloved friend of lord Krishna. Some accounts also call this place as ‘Sudamapuri’. However the contemporary Indians know this city as the birth-place of Gandhi, the Father of The Nation. Porbandar is extremely rich in natural resources thanks to its location. It has lengthy sea-shore, rivers, lakes, hills, valleys and fields.

What to see and when to go: The main attraction of this place is called Kirti Mandir, which is the Birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi. Known for its spiritual nature and long history the city has multiple temples. There are multiple attractions in form of Sudama Mandir, Bharat Mandir, Gita Mandir, Gayatri Mandir, Ram Dhoon Mandir and Rokadia Hanuman temple. Other attractions include Kamla Nehru Park, Nehru Planetarium and Tara Mandir. The climate at Porbandar is generally pleasant throughout the year.

Accommodation: Frequently visited by tourists from all over the country,
there are a good number of hotels in Porbandar that provide quality service to their guests. There are also multiple guest houses available to provide budget accommodation starting from 300 rupees per day. Some of the standard hotels have a beautiful sea view.
Mode of Transport: Porbandar has its own Airport, which has daily flights connecting with Mumbai. It also has a well-established road and rail links connecting with Mumbai and Ahmadabad.

Related links:

• Tourist information: http://www.porbandaronline.com/
• Official website : http://porbandar.gujarat.gov.in/

See also (nearby places): Kuchdi, Ghumli, Gope and Barda Hills are some of the nearby attractions.