Tourist Places To Visit In Porbandar

Porbandar is Gujarat’s sandy landscape and a coastal city in the Western part of India. It’s no less than any other heaven-like destinations in the country. Beautiful beaches, historic architecture, museums, wildlife sanctuaries; this mind-blowing destination has everything for those who love nature, doing exciting things, shopping and eating. There’s a lot of special things about this city which can only be experienced when you visit it. So keep reading to learn more about the top places to visit in Porbandar. 

Sartanji Choro or the Darbargadh Fort is at the highest point in Porbandar. This famous 3-storey marvellous structure was built by Rana or Maharaja Sartanji. This fortified landmark has a massive carved stone entrance gate which is flanked by high turrets and massive wooden doors. Several bastions, 4 primary gates (Kathiawadi Darwaza on the east, Junagadh Gate on the south, Porbandar Gate on the west, and Halar Gate on the north), and 3 ''baris'' also known as small gates make this place stunning. The best view of the building can be seen when you enter through the Darbari Bari. A close inspection will reveal that the shape of the fort is similar to that of a treasure box. The best part of this place is its rich ambiance and the way it has been sculpted out of a big stone is simply amazing. So this is a must-visit place in Porbandar.

A small detour from the city will get you to the resting place of Jambavan, a famous warrior who played an important role in India’s greatest epics, Mahabharata and Ramayana. This cave along with a Shiva temple and Samadhi of Guru Ramdas is situated in the Ranavav taluka. As per Ramayana, Jambavan — the King of Himalayas — helped Lord Rama find his wife Sita. He was then bestowed with immortality by Ram and was blessed with the power of 10 million lions. So anyone who knows about Mahabharata and Ramayana will know the importance of this place. This place is some 15 km away from Porbandar of Rajkot Porbandar highway. From the highway, a service road leads to this cave. The lightning around the caves is extremely good and the surroundings are recently developed. So it’s a fantastic historic place to be at.

Huzoor Palace is the pride of Porbandar and a must-visit for anyone traveling to this city. This majestic palace was built in the 20th century by the final Maharaja of Porbandar, Rana Natwarsinji. As this palace is still used as a residence by the heirs of the dynasty, entry is restricted for outsiders. However, the beauty of the architecture is simply amazing and grabs the attention of anyone who happens to pass by. This marvelous architecture is embellished in the European style with Neoclassical colonnades. The clear blue Arabian Sea adjoining the palace makes this spot as one of the most visited spots in the city. Not much is known about the inside of the palace as the entry is restricted. However, the locals gather around the palace during the Navratri festival to sing praises for Maharaja and Maharani. Decorations, colors, songs, dance all become the top attraction and sight to savor.

Not only the fabulous architectures and historic palaces mesmerize visitors, but also the beach of Porbandar or the Chowpatty attracts thousands of visitors every year. The Chowpatty is indeed one of the best spots to be at with family and kids. A thrilling camel ride and a stunning view of the sunset leave the visitors speechless. Here is your opportunity to relive your stolen moments, get refreshed, and refill your energy level. Just by standing at the white seashore of the beach, looking at the wide-spread sea and setting sun, and the sweet sound of the breeze take you on a different journey altogether. Also, if you are lucky, you can spot the pink flamingos and other migratory birds. The other thing that you cannot miss here is the ancient Porbandar Port where you can see numerous ships winding and unwinding here.

Tara Mandir or more popularly known as Nehru Planetarium is one of the best spots for kids and people of all ages alike. There is a popular incident behind the construction of this building. It was built through the support of Nanjibhai, an Aryan Samaji who employed hundreds of Dalits despite being opposed by Brahmins. Nevertheless, the construction was completed and today this place is listed in the top tourist spots of Porbandar. A theatre inside the building projects the celestial bodies of the known galaxies. An educational spot built to make children and people aware of science and technology. The surrounding area is beautiful and a garden nearby is also a good spot for spending good time with kids and family.

As known to almost every Indian, Porbandar is the birthplace of the nation’s father, Mahatma Gandhi. He was born on October 2, 1869. He spent the major part of his childhood in Porbandar where he lived and completed his early learning. Kirti Mandir, or the temple of fame, was built just next to the home of Mahatma Gandhi, in 1950. This place is 79-feet tall that encapsulates the 79 years of life's journey of Mahatma Gandhi. This temple was built by Purushottam Mistry with great dedication.

The best thing about this is that the Kirti Mandir was inaugurated by the Nation's first Home Minister, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. The temple has a huge library, prayer hall, spinning hall, and lots of paintings of Gandhiji. This is the best place to know more about the life of Mahatma Gandhi’s philosophy of respecting all religions. So do not miss visiting this place especially with your children to make them aware of the glorious history of India and Mahatma Gandhi's contribution to the freedom struggle.

Shri Hari Temple, also known as Sandipani Mandir, is located at a distance of 5 km from the city center and is near the Porbandar Airport. It took 13 years for Bhaishri Rameshbhai Oza’s dream to become a reality. Significant contributions and efforts of various devotees and experts under the guidance of Bhaishri, the temple that we see today is one among the grandest and unique temples in the whole of Saurashtra. This enchanting spiritual temple is the place where you can comfort every inch of your soul. This marvelous temple is carved out of pink stones which were acquired from Rajasthan. This beautifully crafted temple houses idols of Ganesha, Radha Krishna, Laxmi Narayan, Karunamayi Ma, and some other Hindu deities.