Porbandar District

Porbandar district is located in the state of Gujarat. The district constitutes of 3 talukas viz. Porbandar, Ranawav, and Kutiyana. This district is famous for the birthplace of Mahatma Gandhi. As per 2001census, the population of Porbandar district is 5, 36,835 with 234 persons per sq. km. District Headquarter is at Porbandar. The total area of the district is 2,295.35 sq. km. The major tourist destinations of the district are Kirti Mandir, Vijay Vilas, Sheetla Mata Mandir, Haroon Mahal and Bhidiya Mansion.

Geographical location of Porbandar District is 21.15 degree to 21.5 degree N (Latitude) and 69.55 degree to 70.25 degree East (Longitude). Maximum temperature of this district is 36.2 degree centigrade and the minimum temperature is 13.2 degree centigrade. Average rainfall of the place is 660 mm and the four main rivers of the district are Bhadar, Ozat, Minsaar and Khari.

Porbandar has a literacy rate of 68.62 percent as per 2001 Census. There are approximately 372 primary schools and 71 secondary and higher secondary schools in the district. One Government Polytechnic college in Porbandar offers diploma courses in disciplines like electronics, mechanical and civil engineering. The Industrial Training Institute in the district trains in industrial fields such as, electronics and computers and professions such as diesel mechanic, auto parts and motor vehicle mechanics etc.

Economy of Porbandar District in Gujarat is chiefly based on Metallurgical, Ports, Cement, Chemicals, and Ship building and Fishing industries. Presence of large reserves of essential minerals like limestone, chalk and bauxite in the district has given rise to a number of mineral-based and cement industries. Companies such as Saurashtra Cement Ltd., Birla VXL Ltd., etc have set up their manufacturing facilities in Porbandar district. Presence of a port centre has offered a cutting edge to the district to catalyse the augmentation of industries, making it a terminal for export and import of goods. Some of the most important activities at this port comprise import of fertilisers, cement, chemicals coal, LPG, export of oil cakes, and raw cotton. Fishing industry is a well-known activity in Porbandar with Silver Sea Foods emerging as one of the most important sea food processing companies in the district. More than hundred small scale industry (SSI) units are currently functioning in Porbandar.

Chief crops produced in Porbandar district are bajra, wheat, groundnut, jowar, gram, castor, onion, cotton, brinjal and tomato. The district offers a considerable production of Onion, accounting for 70,000 Metric Tones. The main minerals present in the district are limestone, chalk and bauxite. 69 percent of the State`s chalk reserve is found in Porbandar. A large number of medium and large scale industries are present in sectors such as Engineering, Chemicals, Textiles and Port based activities. The cement plant of Saurashtra Cement Limited is to be found in Ranawav and its chemical plant, Saurashtra Chemicals Ltd. which manufactures soda ash, calcined bauxite and bromine is situated in Porbandar taluka. Other key players comprise Cham, Gillnets (fishing nets), Polythelene Ropes, Saurashtra Fuels (low ash coke), Orient Abrasives (calcined bauxite), Cham Synthropes (PP ropes), Amar Polyfils, Hoddar Exports (frozen marine products), Amar Ice and Cold Storage (frozen fish), SHV Energy and LPG Infrastructure (co-terminal and storage of LPG), Silver Sea Food (fish and fishery products) etc.

The district has 100 SSI units, which are engaged in fish processing, cement based mosaic tiles, cement articles, fishing nets, cold storage, energy abrasives, bearings, and plastic articles. Ranawav and Porbandar are the most important industrial centers, for SSIs having over 100 units. Sea food industry has witnessed maximum investments followed by cement -based industries. Over 600 jobs were generated by industries engaged in sea food products, cement and machine tools. Porbandar is the emerging center for Mineral-based industries, Cement industries, Food and agro industries, Port based activities and Tourism industry.

Favourable agricultural environment and climate has led to development of food and agro industry in the district. Emergence of quite a lot of mining industries producing chalk, bella stone, gypsum, lime stone, and salt pans along the coastal area and Barda Hill area have further fueled the expansion of the district. This would also help in attracting investments in future. Emergence of new sectors in the district, such as engineering, infrastructure projects, textile and metallurgical sector over last twenty years, has led to the improvement of Porbandar as a prosperous industrial centre. Being a seaport, the district has thrived on the port based industry, and fishing industry. Setting up of LNG terminal, power plant and the road projects are further likely to drive the financial and industrial growth of the district.

Tourism in Porbandar district, Gujarat, is known for its magnificent palaces, beautiful temples, forest areas and many more alluring sites that attract tourists from far off places. The place has gained prominence mainly for being the birth place of Mahatma Gandhi. The architectural grandeur of different monuments in the district is worth witnessing. The natural beauty of the place is also highly enchanting. Many of the sites also narrate the ancient history of the place.

Darbargadh : Darbargadh is a fortified palace established by Rana Sartanji. It has a huge entrance carved from stone and embellished by high turrets and large wooden doors. It is one of the most famed royal buildings of Gujarat. Huge mansions and vast courtyards of the palace are intricately adorned with exquisite wooden elements.

Kirti Mandir : Kirti Mandir is the home of Mahatma Gandhi and his wife, Kasturba Gandhi. It is located very near to the place where Gandhiji was born. The place has been converted into a museum and also houses a prayer hall and a Gandhian library.

Sartanji Choro : Sartanji Choro was built by Rana Sartanji which is a three storey summer pavilion. Rajput style of architecture can be witnessed in the palace. It is encircled by a magnificent garden and different themes are represented in each side of the garden. The pillars are intricately carved with foliated arches and images of musicians. There is a beautiful dome at the top which showcases the ancient architecture. It is said that Rana Sartanji, sitting under his pavilion, used to compose Braj poems.

Huzoor Palace : Huzoor palace stands inside a vast campus at the end of Marine Drive. The palace is structured with European style of architecture with big windows, numerous wings and sloping roofs that overlook the sea. The wings have front and back yards which connect the building with the nature by gardens and fountains. The entrance gate is decorated with neo-classical pillars.

Bileshwar : Bileshwar is an old temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, situated near Porbandar city. Built in 7th century, this temple presents one of the finest Hindu temple architecture. The temple also has a multi storey tower which resembles more a pyramid than a spire. The exterior of the temple is further embellished with arch like motifs.

Ghumli : Ghumli is a picturesque valley situated near Porbandar where remains of Solanki dynasty have been discovered. Vikia Vav is also located there, which is enlisted amongst the largest step wells of Gujarat. Pavilions were built on each step and one at the entrance and all of them were profusely carved. The well was considered as a water sanctuary and served religious purpose.

Gop : Gop, situated near Porbandar, houses an ancient temple belonging to the period of Maitraka dynasty (6th to 8th centuries). It is one of the rare examples of an early Hindu temple.

Porbandar Bird Sanctuary : Porbandar bird sanctuary is situated in the city of Porbandar, sheltering a vast variety of flora and fauna. It is also an ideal place for bird watching where diverse species can be seen splashing in the freshwater lake located inside the sanctuary. Pelicans, Grebes, Flamingos, Coots, Avocets, Egrets and Ibis are the common species found here.

Other Tourist Places in Porbandar District : Apart from these, Porbandar district hosts a number of other tourist places including Barda Hills, Bharat Mandir, Chowpatty, Daria Rajmahal, Khimeshwar Temple, Sri Hari Mandir, Tara Mandir (Nehru Planetarium), Barda Hills wildlife sanctuary and Sudama Temple.