Somnath

Introduction and history: The town of Somnath is located in western coast of Gujarat. Is has one of the 12 Jyotirlingas of Lord Shiva, which makes it one of the most important pilgrimage centers in India. According to Hindu mythology it is believed that the temple was created by Moon God himself. In the past few centuries multiple attacks in India destroyed some portion of the temple and remains of the temple of Somnath has withstood the shocks of time and still remain as a great example for imposing architecture. The construction of the present form of temple began in 1950.Its beautiful sight facing the blue Arabian Sea is a treat to watch.

What to see and when to go: The Someshwar Mahadev temple is the main attraction of this place, which stands tall among the temples of India. The pinnacle rides to a height of 155 feet and the kalash atop the shikhar weighs 10 tonnes. The flag mast is 37 feet long, which gives an account of how mammoth the temple is. In historical times the temple, the third to be precise, was raged to the ground by Sultan Mohmad of Ghazni. Bhalka Tirth, Junagarh Gate, Mai Puri, Jama Masjid, Bhidiyo Pagoda and Mai Puri are some of the other attractions. October to March is the ideal time to visit Somnath.

Accommodation: Even though Somnath is one of the important tourist destinations, no luxury accommodation is available. For the pilgrims and tourists, there are other options available in form of guesthouses and rest houses at budget pricing starting as low as 300 rupees per day.

Mode of Transport: The nearest Airport is at Keshod, which is located at 47 Kilometers from the temple. It is connected with Mumbai with frequent flights. Veraval railway station located at 5 Kilometers is the closest Railway station. It is well connected with Mumbai and Ahmadabad. Multiple transport buses and private luxury coaches are available from all parts of Gujarat connecting Somnath.

Related links:

• Tourist information: http://www.gujarattourism.com/
• Somnath temple website : http://www.somnath.org/

See also (nearby places): Dwarka, Bordi, Daman, Udvada, Palghar and Silvassa are nearby tourist attractions.

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.