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. |
