Porbandar
(Mahatma Gandhi's birthplace)

An emerald green expanse of lush forests and verdant hills, Barda Lion Sanctuary lies facing the Arabian Sea . Criss-crossed by various rivulets and streams, it also hosts Khambala and Fodara dams that increase the charm of the world . Home to a various sort of fauna like lion, crocodile, sambar, chinkara, leopard, wolf, chameleon, crested hawk-eagle and spotted eagle, the sanctuary also shelters three of the foremost venomous snakes within the world. it had been the erstwhile hunting grounds of the princely state of Ranavav and is found on the outskirts of the town , cover Porbandar and Jamnagar. it’s also referred to as Jam Barda and Rana Barda locally. you’ll enjoy jungle safaris through the forest and also trek within the Barda Hills. the simplest time to go to the sanctuary is from November to March.

A step from Porbandar, Bharat Mandir is understood for being the storehouse of Indian heritage. Constructed over two floors, the temple features a map of India that has been created with white marble. It also carries a comprehensive guide to the traditions and heroes of Hindu mythology that has been showcased through ancient murals and delightful sculptures on the temple’s pillars. The temple is lined with yellow-coloured pillars and every of those has statues of varied mythological characters and spiritual saints on all its four sides. The upper portion of the temple walls are adorned with beautifully made paintings of varied mythological sites in India. the foremost striking pillar of the temple is that the one that holds the pictures of Gandhi and Lord Rama. Then there’s the statue of Pandit Nehru where he are often seen with school kids offering him roses. 

Popular dohas or couplets have also been written on the walls of the temples that provide valuable life lessons to visitors. The temple is found during a garden right opposite to Nehru Planetarium. the massive map of India on the bottom of the temple leaves visitors fascinated while the mirrors showing funny reflections attract kids.

Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the favored Bhuleshwar Temple holds immense historical and mythological importance. it’s been declared as a protected monument and is noted for the adornments of classical carvings on its walls. It houses an idol of Lord Ganesha who are often seen wearing a female attire. The idol is popularly called Ganeshwari or Ganeshyani. there is a popular folk tale associated with the temple. consistent with it, when a bowl of sweets is obtainable to the shivling present here, a minimum of one or more of the sweets disappear. This temple is believed to possess been inbuilt the 13th century on a hill during the reign of the Yadav rulers. History says that the temple was once a fort referred to as Mangalgadi. As far as mythological belief goes, Goddess Parvati had danced for Lord Shiva at this temple after their marriage at the Kailash Mansarovar.

Situated within the lap of Barda Hills, on the outskirts of Porbandar, this village is flocked by visitors for its magnificent Navlakha Temple, which was built during the reign of the Solanki dynasty (940-1244 CE). one among the oldest and therefore the largest temples within the state, it’s dedicated to Lord Surya. Boasting a gorgeous architecture, it’s been named so because it cost around INR nine lakhs to create it. Ghumli is a crucial archaeological site and residential to at least one of the most important stepwells in Gujarat, referred to as Vikia Vav. Ghumli has also emerged as a well-liked trekking site. Tourists can trek through the Barda Hills Wildlife Sanctuary that has one among the foremost diverse floral compositions and is home to a good sort of birds, mammals and reptiles. Ghumli was once the prosperous capital of the Saindhaya and Jethwa dynasties of Saurashtra during the 12th and 13th centuries .

Situated on the outskirts of the town of Porbandar, the Harsiddhi Mata Temple or Harshal Mata Temple is one among the foremost visited sites within the state of Gujarat. it’s believed that the most temple was originally nestled on a hilltop facing the ocean . Legend has it that Lord Krishna had worshipped the goddess during his lifetime and ever since has been living at a hill called Koyla Dungar. it’s said that the first temple at Capitol Hill was constructed by Lord Krishna himself after Goddess Amba helped him defeat demon Jarasandha. When Lord Krishna succeeded in killing Jarasandha, the Yadavs were left overjoyed and since then, Goddess Harsiddhi is worshipped because the kuldevi of the Yadavs within the region.

Possibly the foremost important tourist stopover of Porbandar, Kirti Mandir was inbuilt the honour of Gandhi and his wife Kasturba Gandhi, right next to their ancestral range in the town . it’s now been converted into alittle museum that displays items employed by Gandhiji, along side some really old photographs. The museum houses a library that has books either written by him or concerning his philosophies. the development of the temple marked Mahatma Gandhi’s release from prison in 1944. Visitors also can enter the ancestral house of Gandhiji through the museum. As you enter the house, you’ll encounter old paintings of Gandhiji and his wife Kasturba, a number of which include the rare black and white pictures of the 2 sharing lighter moments. The temple has been visited by variety of world leaders who still come here to pay their respects to the daddy of the state .

Nestled along a sandy coastline, Madhavpur may be a picturesque little town lying on the outskirts of Porbandar. the most attraction is that the famous Madhavraiji Haveli Temple, dedicated to Lord Krishna and Lord Balrama. This 150-year-old shrine has been built along the lines of a grand haveli by the then Maharaja of Madhavpur. Visiting it’s like taking a step back to history and therefore the experience is sort of unforgettable. per annum , the Mer community celebrates an annual fair at Rukmini no choro located near the Madhavraiji Haveli Temple. Tourists also can pay obeisance at the 12th century Shiva temple located nearby that’s known for its striking architecture.
Another attraction is that the pristine Madhavpur Beach, one among the simplest sand expanses within the state. it’s an idyllic spot to relax within the lap of nature and luxuriate in water sports. The sunset views from the beach are spectacular and one shouldn’t miss them.

Gujarat is blessed some amazing beaches and therefore the Miyani Beach is among the foremost beautiful treasures of the state. This serene beach is one among the quieter and unspoilt beaches near Porbandar and lies at a walking distance from Miyani village. Visiting the beach may be a blissful experience, because of its clean water and finely textured sand. The beach provides the right ambience to require an extended stroll across the sandy beach because the waves of the Arabian Sea touch your feet. The beach is additionally considered safe for swimming and tourists can have an excellent time enjoying the water. Nearby attractions include the Kirti Temple, the Harsiddhi Temple, the Brahma Temple and therefore the Sudama Temple. The Miyani Beach is found at a distance of 33 km from Porbandar and makes for an excellent half-day trip.

The ancient coastal village of Mul-Dwarka, near Kodinar, is understood for a temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu and Lord Krishna. consistent with legend, Lord Krishna had stopped in Porbandar at the village of Visaavda on his thanks to Dwarka. In its remembrance in Visavda (Mul Dwarka) Lord Krishna’s “paduka” (footprint) are often seen during this temple. A grand fair is organised per annum within the village on the special day of Janamashtmi. That the village was a lively ancient port city during the medieval period and before it, are often attributed to the invention of some grapnel-type anchors and a composite stone anchor round the region. Mul-Dwarka is found around 45 km from Somnath and 175 km from the town of Porbandar.

One of the foremost revered sites within the state of Gujarat, Sudama Mandir is that the only temple in India to be dedicated to the childhood friend and devotee of Lord Krishna, Sudama. The temple’s architecture is straightforward yet imposing. Open from all sides, the structure has been inbuilt white marble and boasts intricately carved pillars. Their arches are beautifully decorated with finely detailed carvings. The shikhara (spire) has been designed with detailed carvings while the black and white chequered floors are in contrast with the marble structure of the temple. The temple complex is surrounded by a well-maintained garden and houses alittle stepwell and a smaller temple dedicated to Lord Ganesha. A statue of Ram Devji Jethwa, the ruler of the Jethwa dynasty, under whose guidance the temple was constructed, is additionally present inside the temple. it’s visited by thousands of devotees, especially newly married Rajasthani Kshatriya couples to receive blessings from the presiding deity. inbuilt 1902, the temple still stands as a big site of Porbandar. it’s said that when the temple was being constructed, special plays were staged to gather funds for its construction and donations were taken from the rich traders of Porbandar.