Porbandar

The name Porbandar itself conjures a picture of a massive port, a city connected with the two names – Sudama, the childhood friend of Lord Krishna and Mahatma Gandhi, the Father of the Nation. It is a small town that is linked with India’s history through its association with Mahatma Gandhi. Porbandar was the birth place of Mahatma Gandhi. The impressive city was first called as Sudamapuri with Sanskrit name of PAURVELAKUL. The port city dates  back to AD 1045 and record states that the city was founded on Shravan Poornima (Raksha Bandhan). It is one of the oldest ports in Western India.

The Jetwa dynasty which ruled over Porbandar was founded by H.H. Baskaldev Jethwa and is one of the oldest dynasties to have ruled over any particular state. The last Rana of Porbandar, H.H. Natwarsinhji was the 162nd generation of the Jethwa clan.

The city of Porbandar, being  a very prosperous trading port, naturally had plenty of millionaires to boast of. The most famous personality was Shri Narottam Morarji has also been given the designation of The Father of Indian Shipping and therefore every year 5th April is celebrated as The Maritime Day all over India in his honor. Another famous personality was Manek Bai Bhatia, after whom the Manek Chowk near Kirti Mandir is named. Further the Legendary Shri Swami Vivekananda had stayed in Porbandar for a short period of time during  his tour of India. The guest house where he had stayed has been now converted into Ramakrishna Mission famous for popularizing his ideology and principle. Another distinct personality to of Porbandar was Shri Nanjibhai Kalidas Mehta who had established many temples, and developed many places in the city. He donated to various temples generously major temples like Kirti Mandir, Bart Mandir, and Tara Mandir etc. were constructed by the donations from Shri Nanjibhai. The Chowpatty of Porbandar is a popular place for strolls a pretty sea cost with white sand beaches. The royal family of Porbandar built palaces by the sea. The creeks of Porbandar are delightful birding places, flush with flamingos, rosy pelicans and other magnificent birds.

The other interesting places at Porbandra are Kirti Mandir, Vijay Vilas, Darbar Gadh, Sheetla Mata Mandir, Haroon Mahal, Bhidiya Mansion , Harsih Mansion , Saltanji No Choro, Sudama Mandir, hazoor Court and Manek Chowk.

Dwarka

Dwarka, on the west cost of Gujarat on the shore of the Arabaian Sea, features in most of the legends surrounding Lord Krishna. It is from here that the grown Lord Krishna is supposed to have ruled his Kingdom. Dwarka is significant piligrimage site for the Hindus. Dwarka is sanctified as  the place where Lord Vishnu slew the demon Shankhasura. Dwarka  which is known as Suvarna Dwarka(the golden Dwarka) had been very prosperous and hence got the name . The Dwarkadish temple honours Krishna Bhagwan and attacts thousands of piligrims from different parts of the country. The Dwarka of Krishna’s time lies submerged under the Arabian Sea. Krishna’s residence was at Bet Dwarka which is an island, a few kms from the mainland Dwarka Bet contains as Sudhama shrine. Marine archaeologists have excavated a huge wall which is supposed to be a part of Krishna’s capital.

The other temples in Dwarka are rukmini Devi Temple, Gomati Ghat Temples, Kalyanrai temple, the Patrani temple, Durvas temple . Sharda pith set up by Adi Shankaracharya imparts instruction in Sanskrit. Drukvan in the region is one of the Jyotirlingas.

Jamnagar

Jamnagar was the capital of the former princely State of Navanagar, “under the rule of the Jadeja Rajputs. The city was founded by Jam Raval in 1540 AD. Jamnagar was originally a fortified town with several gateways, on a confluence of two rivers- Nagmati and Rangmati. Jamnagar is also known as ‘Chhoti Kashi’, as the whole town is dotted with several Hindu and Jain temples. Jamnagar is one of the best known centers for Bandhani or tie-and dye.

The Darbargadh is the original residence of Jam Sahibs and has evolved over centuries. It reflects the fusion of Rajput and European architectural styles. The other royal palaces can be visited by obtaining prior permission, in front of the Darbargadh, namely Wellingdon Crescent and Chelmsford Market. And  also Lakhota  Palace which was constructed as a famine relief work in 1839=45 AD.

Excursion :

Mandvi

Mandvi is located on the banks of the Rukmavati river, barely “one km away from the Arabian Sea at the Gulf of Kutch.. The establishment of the town dates back to the late sixteen centaury (1581 AD) and is attributed to the first Jadeja ruler of Kutch- Rao Khengarji.

Mandvi is also a 400 year old shipbuilding center. The ships built here    used to sail up to England and return back. One can see the smaller boats  being constructed   in  the  traditional   techniques by  master carpenters even today. The center of attraction at Mandvi is the Vijay Vilas Palace built in 1920 AD. The Vijay Vilas Palace has its own private beach, maintained in an eco-friendly manner to preserve its pristine beauty. For these reasons, this palace has been used as the setting in many Hindi films and has now become a popular tourist destination.

Excursions :

Bhadreshwar Jain temples, 68 km, Mundra port  44  kms, Kandla (India's only free trade port, 114 km, Naliya (Jain temples) 81 km, Anjar (shrine of Jesal-Toral, Dargah of Pinjora Pir, block printing works) 116 km, Kera (ancient Shiva Temple, shrine of Gulam Ali Shah) 35 km, Gandhidham  102 km

Bhuj

The historic city of Bhuj derives its name from the Bhujiyo Dungar, a hill, Bhuj was the capital of the former princely State of Kutch till 1947 AD. The Rajput rulers of Kutch came from Sindh or northern India in the late 15lh century and settled at Bhuj. Rao Khengarji I chose the strategic location at the base of Bhujiyo Dungar and founded the location at the base of Bhujiyo Dungar and founded the city of Bhuj in 1548 AD. The British took over the hill fort of Bhujiyo Dungar in 1819 AD and acted as peacemaker between the Kutch rulers and Bhayad Jagirdars.  Rao Pragmalji, who ruled Kutch from 1860 to 1876 AD, undertook many projects. He constructed three royal palaces- Prag Mahal and Ranjit Vilas Palace al Bhuj and Vijay Vilas Palace at Mandvi
The two most interesting palaces at Bhuj, Aina Mahal and Prag Mahal are both located in the same campus. Aina Mahal was constructed by Rao Lakhpatji (1707-61 AD) in 1750 AD, who was a great patron of art, architecture, music and literature) The  Kutch Museum,  formerly  known as the  Fergusson Museum, was founded by Maharao Khengarji III in 1877 AD. It is the oldest museum in Gujarat it is located on the bank of Hamirsar Lake)

Excursion :

Anjar (old architecture) 46 km, Banni ('Bhunga' Mud Houses, Kutchi handicrafts), Kera (II* century Shiva Temple) 25 km, Mata no Madh (temple of family goddess of Kutch rulers) 90km, dholavira (Indus Valley civilization excavation) 210kms

Dholavira

Dholavira is a small village located at a corner of an isolated island of khadir in the Great Rann of Kutch in Bhachau Taluka of Dist. Kutch Gujarat. An Archeological site situated in the Kutch district and surrounded by the formidable Rann of Kutch, Dholavira is a massive site belongs to the 5000 years old Mohenjo-daro
Harappa civilization. The fortified city was ruled by fiercely protective men from 2900 B.C. to 1500 B.C.
The main reason for visiting the district for many travelers is the archeological site of  Dholavira, one of the most impressive Harappan cities excavated in India .  It showcase the hydraulic engineering skills of the Harappans who converted the city walls into veritable reservoirs to preserve every drop of water. It is quite obvious that the people of the region have been experiencing water shortage from a remote past. Of special interest to students of history  is signboard in Indus script. Which is claimed to be one of the oldest in the world.

Narayan Sarovar

Narayan Sarovar which is one of the five holy  lakes of India, the other four being lake are: Mansarovar in Tibet, Pushkar in Rajasthan, Pampa in South India and Bindu Sarovar in Siddhapur. It is located 2 km away from Koteshwar on Kori Creek. This lake finds mention in the chronicles of Alexander, the Great. In 1550 AD. Other temples at Narayan Sarovar are : Adi Narayan, Govardhannath, Dwarkanath and Lakshmiji.

Koteshwar

Koteshwar is a famous place of pilgrimage located at the farthest tip of  western India at the Kori Creek, A pilgrimage to Koteshwar  and Narayan Sarovar is a must for any devout Hindu. The Koteshwar temple complex is dedicated to Shiva. Within the temple there are images of Hanuman, Ganesha, Revati, Parvati and Swayambu Shiva Linga. The Kalyaneshwar Temple is situated close to the Koteshwar Temple at the edge of a Scared square kund. The kund gets filled up during high tide. Hindus bathe here and perform shraddh  (ritual ceremony after the death of ancestors)

Note : A visit to Lakhpat is recommended only to the adventurous traveller, as there are no proper facilities for food and accommodation. Tourists should arrange their own private transport.

Lakhpat

Lakhpat is the last town situated al the western end of India, on the India-Pakistan border, at the junction of Kori Creek and Rann of Kutch. Lakhpat probably, derives its name from the prosperous maritime trade which generated a daily income of one Lakh  Kori. an old currency of Kutch State.

Lakhpat is a fortified town with high walls, several gates and bastions made out of hard stone. After a short period of prosperity, Lakhpat lost its maritime significance in 1851 AD. when the Sindhu river changed its course. Once a thriving town with population of 15,000. is today a deserted town with only few families living here.

The interesting structures at Lakhpat are the tomb of Gosh Muhammad and Sikh Gurudwara It is one of the sacred places associated with life of Guru Nanak Sahib, the founder of the Sikh religion, as it is believed that he embarked for Haj to Mecca from Lakhpat.

Vansada

Vansada is one of the two former princely states of south Gujarat : Vansada and Dharampur. Vansada town is surrounded by dense bamboo forests and probably derives its name from 'Vans', meaning bamboo in Gujarati. The history of the Vansada State dates back to at least 750 years and the rulers of Vansada are the descendants of Chalukya (Solanki) Rajput clan. Vansada was the capital of the princely State of Vansada, till the independence of India in 1947 AD. Maharaval Virsinhji founded the present day fortified town of Vansada in 1781 AD, in a picturesque location, on the banks of Kaveri river, at the southern foothills of the Sahyadri range Before founding the city, as per Hindu religious traditions, King Raval Virsinhji built three temples- Vireshwar Mahadev, Vireshwari Mata and Virabhadra Hanuman to sanctify the site chosen for constructing a new town

Excursion :

Vansada National Park (Tiger, Panther) 10 km, Unai (Hot water springs, Unai Mata Temple) 18 km, Saputara (famous hill station, 875 m high. Geera falls) 66 km, Purna Sanctuary (dense forests) 60 km.