Birthplace of the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, Porbandar is an intermediate seaport on the southwest coast of Saurashtra. To commemorate the birth of Gandhiji a 79 feet high imposing building has been built in an otherwise Spartan lane of the city where Bapu was born in 1869 AD.

The Kirti Mandir's premises is a three storeyed ancestral house of Gandhiji wherein the exact place where Putlibai, Gandhiji's mother, had given birth to the child Gandi marked with a swastik. Narrow wooden staircase leads the visitor to upper storey, in paticular to Gandhiji's reading-room. The adjoining new building, Kirti Mandir, houses a Gandhian library, a prayer hall, a nursery and a steeple decorated with episodes from Gandhiji's life. Behind Kirti Mandir is Navi Khadkiwhere Kasturba, Gandhiji's wife was born.

Porbander, situated at the end of Saurashtra - is a picturesque seaport on the Arabian Sea having pleasant beaches with beach villas. It is situated 395 Kms from Ahmedabad. It is also known as "White City" because of its white stone construction. Visitors are also attracted to Bharat Mandir, depicting great men and religious preceptors of India, and to the chowpaty, which offers a beautiful view of the beachfront. Modern villas have come up lately and there is also a small parlour serving refreshments.

Places of Interest

Morvi
The town is famous for its clocks, tiles and the ceramic manufacture. The erstwhile ruler of the State constructed a temple with adjoining secretariat, which is known as Wag Palace or Wellingdon Secretariat. The Suspension Bridge is an important landmark of the town. The bridge, 765 ft. long and 4.5 ft. wide, receives its support only from the pillars on the banks. The roadway is hung across the river on iron ropes passing over towers and anchored.

GONDAL
Prettily situated on the bank of the Gondli river, this seat of erstwhile State of Gondal, is famous for its Naulakha Palace and the Riverside Palace of the erstwhile Maharaja, which have now been made into Heritage Hotels.

Maharaja Bhagwatsinhji built the Riverside Palace for his son Yuvraj Bhojraji. It has high ceilings, lavishly furnished 11 double rooms with elegant period furniture, framed paintings and western style bathrooms.

True to its name Orchard Palace is located amidst the fruit orchard. However, the oldest extant palace in Gondal is the 17th century Naulakha Palace, which has `some of the most exquisite jarokha balconies, a fabulous pillared courtyard, delicately carved arches and a unique spiral staircase. The large chandelier lit Darbar hall has stuffed panthers, gilt wooden furniture and antique mirrors.

Gondal is also an ideal destination for vintage car lovers for the Orchard Palace houses in its Royal Garage an extensive collection of vintage cars including a 1910 New Engine, a Delage and a Daimler from the 1920s, a 1935 Mercedes and Packard two door convertible, Cadillac's of 40s and many more. The garage also neatly preserves rail saloon coaches, which will be on offer for accommodation shortly.

Access 40 kms. from Rajkot & 250 kms. from Ahmedabad

Accommodation The Palace, Tel. (02825) 20002,21950
Fax (02825) 23332

Air Domestic airlines connects Bombay.

Rail On the Western Railway with direct connections with Ahmedabad.

Road State transport buses and private luxury coaches connects various centres of Gujarat. Porbandar is 145 K ms. from Rajkot.