Advertisement

Kirti Mandir
Let us begin our journey where Gandhi began his. On October 2, 1869, Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born in a 3-storey blue haveli in the city of Porbandar, where his father, uncle and grandfather had all been prime ministers to the Jethwa Rajput rulers of the princely state.

The site of Gandhi’s birth, now called Kirti Mandir, has been converted into a small museum about him, with an exhibit of old photographs, some of his very few possessions and a nice library of books either by him or relating to Gandhian philosophy and practice.

For more information see Kirti Mandir  


Porbandar Bird Sanctuary
Porbandar Bird Sanctuary is located amid the city of Porbandar flaunting the co-existence of man and nature. Spread over an area of 1 square kilometer this unique water dwelling, surrounded by trees and plants was affirmed as a sanctuary in the year 1988.
 
The splendorous beauty of the place though not reflecting any emergent vegetation is enriched by the migratory birds visiting this area every year. The multihued, textured feathered creatures with their harmonious twitters and chirrups identify this area as a popular destination for ornithologists. Varied species of birds in all shapes and sizes fly in every year enlivening the area with varied colors; patterns and making this zone a home and their nesting ground. Water birds are often seen splashing in the freshwater lake while the sky touching flights of certain birds bedecks the firmament.
 
Flamingos, Grebes, Pelicans, Ducks and geese, Avocets, Coots, Cormorants, Herons, Egrets, Bittern, Storks, Ibis, Spoonbill, Cranes, Whistling Teals, Gulls, Terns, Jacanas, Ruff, Red shanks, Indian roller and many other varieties of winged creatures are seen in this area.

Visit the locale in winters when millions of birds reside in this locale making it the most picturesque shelter for bird lovers and the birds. Spend an entire day away from the hustle-bustle of the city and daily life enjoying as the nature creation visit their seasonal homes. It is easy to catch a close glimpse of the birds residing and nesting in this area.
 
Being a responsible nature lover is our way of showing reverence to Mother Earth, a few tips for you to remember-

    * No flash or intrusive photography (for example, don’t pluck leaves to clear a better view; reposition the camera instead.)
    * Do not carry any music system or sound making device along with you.
    * Picking plants or insects is prohibited; do not remove anything from the park.
    * No quick or sudden movements to scare off the birds.
    * Do not try going to close to the birds.
    * No pets should accompany you.
    * No littering. Trash is only to be disposed of in proper receptacles.
    * No hunting devices or other weapons should be carried, as well as used.



Barda Hills Wildlife Sanctuary

Barda Wildlife Sanctuary is located at about 15 km from Porbandar, which faces Arabian Sea. Barda was a private forest of the ex-princely State of Ranavav (Porbandar) and Jamnagar and, therefore, it is still popularly known as Rana Barda and Jam Barda. Entire area is the reserve forest and had been notified as Sanctuary in the year 1979. The settlement of the area has been completed, but final notification is yet to be issued. The Sanctuary is distributed in two districts i.e. Porbandar and Jamnagar. The hilly terrain with patches of flat plains at places, the crisscrossing of numerous rivulets and streams and existing dams impart a divine look to the forest. One may hardly abstain from thinking that here is the place, where the saints in ancient times must have attained 'moksha', the ultimate liberation. The Sanctuary area is a green oasis, surrounded by agriculture fields, wastelands and forest.

The Sanctuary hardly has 192.31 sq. km area, but has one of the most diverse floral compositions and therefore a potential source of remedies of many ailments, and therefore deserves to be safeguarded. The terrain of Barda is almost hilly and undulating with an altitude ranging from 79.2 m to 617.8 m. above sea level. At places, there are gentle slopes with exposed rocks. The two main ephemeral rivers are Bileshvary and Joghri. Khambala and Fodara are important dams in the Sanctuary.

The area supports about 750 'maldhari' families (4000 people) in 68 'nesses'. The agriculture fields and wasteland, where acute water scarcity is experienced during the summer months, surround the forest area. However, this green patch of forest, provides ecological security and environmental stability, since it improves the water regime of the area by recharging the ground water and forming catchment for the minor dams in the Sanctuary. Located barely at distance of 15 km from the Arabian Sea, the forest is standing as the guard against the salinity ingress in the region. The forest is endowed with very rich floral composition and it was also a home of Asiatic lion in not a distant past. Kileshwar, a temple and camping site developed by 'Jamsaheb' of Jamnagar, is a beautiful site in the heart of the forest. Amongst the mammals ratel, leopard and wolf are threatened. Amongst the reptiles found here, crocodile and chameleon are rare and endangered. Of the four common venomous snakes, three are found here. The avifaunal species also displays high diversity. At least two species of birds, which were found in the Sanctuary, are rare/ endangered, to name a few: Spotted Eagle and Crested Hawk-Eagle.

Apart from this, the Sanctuary exhibits great variety of invertebrate species including variety of butterflies. Lion, Chinkara, Sambar and Spotted Deer found in the recent past, are now exterminated from Barda. Although the area of Sanctuary is small, it has different types of forests.



Huzoor Palace, Porbandar
Perhaps the most impressive building in Porbandar, the Huzoor Palace is situated on the edge of Marine Drive. The palace was built by Natwarsinhji, the then rule of Porbandar. Built in European style, the palace overlooks the sea and is adorned with sloping roofs, huge windows, sprawling gardens and carved fountains.



Sudama Temple, Porbandar
According to the Hindu mythology, Porbandar is also the birth place of Sudama, lord Krishna’s dear friend. A temple to pay homage to the great soul was built in the center of Porbandar. This temple in Porbandar is the only temple in the entire country that is dedicated to Sudama.



Kirti Mandir, Porbandar
One of the most popular tourist attractions in Porbandar, Kirti Mandir is visited by a large number of travellers every day. Kriti Mandir houses a Gandhian library and a prayer hall. Kirti Mandir is a three-storeyed ancestral house of Mahatma Gandhi and one can see his birthplace, which has been marked with a ‘swastika’ symbol.
Mahatma Gandhi was born here in 1869. Kirti Mandi is in the heart of Porbandar and remains open for visitors on all days between 7. am to 1 pm and 2 pm to 7 pm.



Darbargadh Fort, Porbandar
A fortified palace built by Rana Sartanji is another popular landmark in Porbabndar. The palace has a huge carved stone entrance gate flanked by high turrets and massive wooden doors. The massive fort wall has several bastions, 4 main gates and 3 ''baris'' (small gates). Darbargadh is a three-storeyed palace built on a high plinth.
The facade is ornamented with sculptures of musicians, lions, complex geometric patterns and profusely carved pillar.

 

Information not available

Information not available

Advertisement