Porbandar - a coastal city located on the seashore enroute between Dwarka and Somnath. As per Indian mythology, it is considered to be the birthplace of Sudama, a friend of Lord Krishna . A long coastal shoreline greets you as you travel towards it. Its highly recommended that you travel during evening for a picture perfect Sunset. An isolated shoreline is a welcome sight and you will find this area devoid of tourism hustle as there is no single hotel in the vicinity
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| A busy shopkeeper in the bylane |
Porbandar offers few places of interests for a visitor with its traditional Havelis and Temples and then obviously the Mahatmas birthplace, an Old World Haveli tucked in a narrow by lane.
Gandhiji was born here on 2nd October 1869. There is always an endless stream of visitors on a given day and we were greeted by a long queue of school students who had come in for a study tour. A serene calm can be sensed as you enter the premises taking you back to a different era. This 3 storied structure where the Mahatma spent his childhood is spacious with multiple rooms on the Ground, 1st and 2nd floors. On first sight you notice a multitude of elegantly carved Doors and Windows within the house.
The House has been maintained well. The place where Gandhiji was born is marked in an upper floor room with a Swastika.
Adjacent to this is the Kirti Mandir which has a small museum displaying photographs of Gandhiji from the time of his birth and his Charkha. It has also photographs of his family, associates and the multiple freedom movements and activities arranged in a chronological order as well as some of his childhood toys and trivia. Lifesize portraits of the Mahatma and his wife are kept in the centre of Kirti Mandir
Looking at them reminds you of an era gone by and the obvious rarity of some of these artifacts can be easily felt. There is a bookshop selling Gandhi literature with nominal prices. Closeby is a small library and a prayer hall. Kasturba Gandhis ancestral home is a short walk from here and is also worth a visit
At the end of it you get a feel that the pilgrimage was worth its time spent
v Time to visit – all days from 9am to 6pm
v Distance from Porbandar station – short 5 minute drive with nominal auto fare
v Duration – an hour at least to see the Photographs in the Museum at leisure
v Few places of interest close by, some time can be spent on the sea shore
Stimulated by the description you have shared, it worth’s a visit. Keep going..
ReplyDeleteVert well written.
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