Porbandar
The birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi. Kirti Mandir preserves his childhood home, and the Sudama Temple and seafront promenade link the old port town. Nearby are Madhavpur Beach and the Barda Hills.
Porbandar lies on the southwest coast of Gujarat's Saurashtra peninsula, facing the Arabian Sea. It is an ancient fishing port and the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi. Legend says it was the hometown of Sudama, a close friend of Krishna, and it was formerly known as Sudamapuri. In more recent times it was the capital of the Porbandar princely state, and its buildings include Huzur Palace.
Sights: In the old town center, Kirti Mandir, Gandhi's birthplace, is the main attraction, with the nearby Sudama Temple and a lively market. On the southwest seafront are the seafront avenue, Huzur Palace, and Bharat Mandir, where you can watch the sunset. In winter, the city's bird sanctuary is a good place to see flamingos. On the eastern outskirts is the Shri Hari Temple, built of white marble. For day trips, you can visit the Barda Hills Wildlife Sanctuary and the ancient Gumli Temple to the northeast, or drive about 60 km southeast along the coast to Madhavpur Beach.
Seasons: October to March is cool and dry and the best time to visit. Winter is also migratory bird season. April to June is hot, and June to September is the monsoon, with heavy rain and closed seafronts.
Getting there: Porbandar Airport has flights to Mumbai. Trains connect to Ahmedabad, Rajkot, and other cities. About 100 km north is Dwarka, and about 120 km southeast is Somnath, which are often linked into a Saurashtra pilgrimage route. In town, tuk-tuks are the main transport, and hiring a car is recommended for the outlying sights.
Plan 1–2 days. Gujarat is a dry state, so alcohol is prohibited. Remove your shoes before entering temples and dress modestly. Vegetarian food is the norm here.
Top sights
- Kirti Mandir – The ancestral home where Mahatma Gandhi was born in 1869, with a memorial hall where you can see his birth room and a photo exhibition of h…
- Sudama Mandir – A temple dedicated to Sudama, the childhood friend of Krishna, famous for the '84-circuit' stone maze of paths in its forecourt.
- Porbandar Chowpati – A seaside promenade and beach southwest of the old town, where locals stroll, eat snacks and watch the sunset over the Arabian Sea in the e…
- Huzoor Palace – A seaside palace built by the last ruler of the Porbandar princely state, its neoclassical colonnades facing the Arabian Sea.
- Porbandar Bird Sanctuary – A small wetland reserve within the city where you can watch more than a hundred waterbird species, including flamingos and pelicans, up clo…
- Bharat Mandir – A 'national temple' themed on relief maps of India and statues of national heroes, showcasing figures from Indian history and mythology.
- Shri Hari Mandir – A modern white marble temple within the Sandipani college campus, with well-kept gardens, solemn evening lights and worship rituals.
- Madhavpur Beach – A clean, long sandy beach about 60 km southeast of Porbandar, lined with coconut palms, with a temple nearby associated with the legend of…
- Barda Wildlife Sanctuary – Low forested hills northeast of Porbandar with leopards, hyenas and abundant birdlife. It is also the second habitat of the Asiatic lion.
- Navlakha Temple, Ghumli – An 11th-century sun temple ruin at the foot of the Barda hills, with elephant and deity sculptures on its plinth. It is one of Gujarat's ol…
Where to eat
- Kathiyawadi Kings Gujarati Restaurant – The highest-rated Kathiyawadi thali restaurant on MG Road, serving unlimited pure vegetarian meals, with an onion- and…
- Shri Raghuvanshi Dining Hall – An affordable dining hall in the old Bhatia Bazar area, serving home-style Gujarati thali with unlimited refills at low…