Porbandar, the
birthplace of Mahatma
Gandhi, is a picturesque little seaside
resort on the west coast
of Gujarat . A flourishing
trade centre called Sudamapuri
in ancient India, the city
abounds in legends. The most impressive
feature of Porbandar is the city
planning.
Choose Hotel
More about
Porbandar
Climate
Porbandar
experiences hot summers from Mar-June
(average temperatures 24-42 deg. celsius), monsoons
from July-September and winter from
Oct-Feb. 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.
Language
The main languages are
Gujarati, Hindi and English.
Porbandar used to be
called Sudamapuri, after
Sudama - the devoted friend of Lord Krishna in
Hindu mythology. It has the only
temple in India dedicated to Sudama.
Porbandar today has some amazing stone
buildings with ashlars masonry and rich carving. The
facades of the houses on either side of the
streets, with series of windows, carved
gateways, using eclectic architectural language,
invites the tourist 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 .
Other places of interest include Kirti
Mandir (next to Mahatma Gandhi's home
and has a Gandhian library and prayer hall),
Darbargadh (the fortified
palace with nearby edifices having courtyards
and intricately carved wooden elements, a three-storeyed
summer pavilion, Sartanji Choro retreat, pillars with
images of musicians, profusely carved foliated arches),
Huzoor Palace (built in European
style overlooking the sea), the public library, old
Raj Mahal (now a college), Victoria
Jubilee Madresa, Collectorate, Bhavsinhji
High School, Natwarsinhji Sports Club,
Modpar Fort, Ghumli, Gop, Harshad Mata
Temple and Barda wild life
sanctuary.
|
