| FACTS
& FIGURES
Population
: 1,83,000
Languages : Gujarati, Hindi, and English
Best Time to Visit : October to March
STD Codes : 0286
LOCATION
Porbandar is situated along the Arabian Sea in the western
Indian state of Gujarat. Famous as the birthplace of
Mahatma Gandhi, the city is well connected to the other
parts of the country by rail, road, and air.
CLIMATE
The climate of Porbandar is generally
pleasant. The summer season continues from March to
June with the daytime temperature crossing 42ºC.
The monsoons enter this region in July and remain there
till September. Winter comes in from October and stays
till February. Due to the cyclonic storms or depressions
in the Arabian Sea in the post monsoon months, and to
a lesser extent in May and June, the city faces strong
winds, heavy rain, and occasional thunderstorms. The
summer temperature ranges between 24ºC and 42ºC
and the winter temperature range from 10ºC to 24ºC.
PAST
Porbandar was a historic port of the
Jetwa Rajputs, a dynasty that ruled vast areas of the
Kathiawad peninsula for approximately 2000 years. After
facing defeat at the hands of the Jadeja Rajputs in
the late 16th and early 17th centuries, the Jetwas came
back to power in the 1630s.
They shifted their capital from Ranpur to Chaya during
that time and by the 18th century, the Jetwas finally
settled in Porbandar, which occupied a unique position
as a port city. It was strategically situated south
of the ports of Nawanagar and the Kutch state, and north
of Veraval in Junagadh state.
The Walker Treaty in the early 19th century brought
peace in Saurashtra and this was the time of development
for Porbandar. The period saw the construction of a
fresh water reservoir, separate schools for boys and
girls, a post office, the old fort walls were pulled
down to enlarge the city and a town hall, railway station,
light house and Jubilee Bridge were constructed.
The Gandhi family were the hereditary Diwans of Porbandar.
On October 2, 1869, Karamchand Gandhi had a son, Mohandas
Karamchand Gandhi or Mahatma Gandhi as he later came
to be known the world over. But Mahatma Gandhi was not
the only mahatma associated with Porbandar. Swami Vivekanand
had done much of his research in Porbandar, and Rabindranath
Tagore visited the city for a considerable period in
1923.
SITES TO VISIT
The Huzoor Palace is a massive structure
like a European mansion, sprawling, with a large garden
at the edge of the sea. The palace has various wings
in a zigzag formation, which created space for numerous
forecourts and rear courtyards, which were used for
gardens and fountains. The structure is of a very modern
style, crowned by trussed timber roofs and balustraded
terraces offering a fabulous view of the beach and the
sea. Semi-circular porticoes on neo-classical pillars
offer entry to the palace from different sides.
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.
The mid 19th century Haveli of the Gandhi family has
three stories around a courtyard with a kitchen, 17
rooms and a wooden shrine. Next to the Haveli is the
Kirti Mandir, built in 1950 by Nanaji Bhai Kalidas as
a memorial to Mahatma Gandhi. This monument has paintings
of the Mahatma and his wife Kasturba. There is a moving
photographic and pictorial display of the life of the
Mahatma and his part in the struggle for India's freedom,
a library of books related to the Mahatma's life and
philosophies.
Walking down from Kirti Mandir one comes to Darbargadh
Palace, built in 1784 by Maharana Sartanji in the typical
wood and stone carved style of Gujarat. A greater example
of the architecture of this period is the Grishmabhuvan,
a pleasure pavilion with impressive domes, exquisite
pillars and delicate arches, set in a pleasant garden.
This pavilion, called Sartanji Choro because of its
four part representing different seasons, was Sartanji's
refuge from the crowds of Porbandar.
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.
SITES NEARBY
Kuchdi is a 20-minute drive away from
the city center. The place has a bird sanctuary and
is quite popular with the bird lovers and photographers.
Ghumli was the capital of the Jetwas long before they
moved to Porbandar. 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
stringcoursed carvings.
Gope, 50 km northeast of Porbandar has a 6th century
temple with a sanctuary on a platform and the usual
pyramidal shikhara 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.
A 30-minute drive from Porbandar takes one to Barda
Hills covered with forests where one can find the Khambala
Dam with its intricate, decorated kiosks.
FAIRS AND FESTIVALS
Along the coast at Madhavpur near Porbandar,
the Madhavrai Fair is held in the month of Chaitra (March/April)
to celebrate Lord Krishna's elopement with Rukmini.
WHERE TO STAY
There are a good number of hotels in
Porbandar that provide quality service to their guests.
Some of the standard hotels have a beautiful sea view.
HOW TO REACH
By Air
Gujrat Air connects Porbandar with Ahmedabad.
From Ahmedabad, one can take flights to other important
cities of India such as Delhi and Mumbai.
By Rail
Porbandar is a railway station and is connected
to many places in Gujrat and western India. The Saurashtra
Express links Porbandar with Mumbai.
By Road
State transport corporation buses operate to
most of the important centres of Gujarat. Private operators
have regular luxury bus services to Rajkot, Jamnagar,
Ahmedabad, Junagadh etc. from Porbandar. A bus journey
to Bombay would take over 24 hours and is not recommended.
Local Transport
Auto rickshaws are convenient and cheap for local
transport. They are useful when visiting places like
Kirti Mandir where parking is a problem. Taxis can be
hired locally for excursions, as can cycles, which can
be rented near the ST bus stand.
|
