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Porbandar

Porbandar

city · Gujarat

State
Gujarat
Type
City
Best season
Winter
Things to do
2+

Porbandar is a coastal town on the Saurashtra shore of the Arabian Sea, remembered in tradition as the birthplace of Sudama, Krishna's childhood friend, and in modern history as the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi. Its old quarter has distinctive limestone architecture, and the coastal wetlands nearby draw large numbers of migratory birds.

When to go

October to March. Sea breeze, comfortable days, and the right months for both the monuments and the bird sanctuary.

Why visit

Visit Kirti Mandir beside Gandhi's birthplace, wander the limestone buildings of the old Jethwa capital, and relax on the town's quiet beaches.

Cultural notes

Porbandar's culture is rooted in the philosophies of non-violence (Ahimsa) and truth (Satyagraha) that Mahatma Gandhi carried to the rest of the world. Every year on 2 October, Gandhi Jayanti, the city holds grand peaceful prayer assemblies and national khadi exhibitions.

How to reach

By Train: Porbandar Railway Station (PBR) is the main regional terminus, with direct trains on the national network. By Air: Porbandar Airport (PBD) has daily domestic flights to the main state hubs. By Road: The four-lane coastal National Highway 51 links directly to Dwarka and Somnath.

Porbandar in 2 days

See the full itinerary

2 days in Porbandar

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Kirti MandirDay 1

Day 1

Kirti Mandir

The house where Gandhi was born in 1869, and the small museum built beside it for him and Kasturba. Inside are objects he used, life-size portraits of the two of them, old photographs and a library of his writing and of books about his thinking. The ancestral home itself is entered through the museum — narrow rooms, steep stairs, and a marked spot on the floor. It is modest by design, and the contrast with the Statue of Unity three hours away is worth sitting with. World leaders have made the trip; most visitors need about half an hour.

Day 1

Sudama Mandir

Sudama Mandir

Day 1

Porbandar chowpatty sunset

Porbandar chowpatty sunset

Day 2

Day 2

Porbandar Bird Sanctuary

Porbandar Bird Sanctuary

Day 2

Huzoor Palace exterior & seafront

Huzoor Palace exterior & seafront

Madhavpur Beach

Day 2

Madhavpur Beach

A postcard-worthy coast lined with coconut trees and clear blue waters. The drive along NH-8E running parallel to this beach is considered one of Gujarat's most scenic roads.

Porbandar guide & itineraries

Porbandar is perfect for

spiritualheritagebudget

Shopping

The old city lanes near Kirti Mandir are where to buy Bandhani tie-dye, silver, hand-crushed coastal salt and Kathiawari snacks.

Popular attractions

The places in Porbandar most people come for.

Kirti Mandir

Kirti Mandir

Attraction1.5 hrsmorning

Porbandar Chowpati Beach

Porbandar Chowpati Beach

Attraction1 hrevening

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Frequently asked questions

What is Kirti Mandir in Porbandar?

Kirti Mandir is the grand memorial temple complex built immediately adjacent to the three-story ancestral haveli where Mahatma Gandhi was born in 1869, housing a vast biographical library and early photographic galleries.

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