History
Porbandar, facing directly the roaring shore of Arabian Sea, located between the worlds famous "DWARKA" and "SOMANATH" one of the twelve popular mythological ancient Indian histories, the town planning of the city is so perfectly planned that today it is an attraction to the modern town planner worldwide. Amongst many other importance, Porbandar is an ascetic land of saint UDAMA, the bosom friend of lord "KRISHNA” and birth place of Mahatma Gandhi , the father of nation who taught a lesson of non-violence to the present day world. Porbandar is having its importance not only from mythological point of view but it is an attraction to thousands of local and foreign tourists who pay visit to this holy city daily.
Shravan Sud Poonam or Nariyeli Purnima is believed to be the foundation day of this holy city. As pr the mythological reference in Sudama Charitra of Skand Puran of Shrimad Bhagvad, the present Porbandar city was names after Goddess Porav, and was located along the river banks of Asmavati. The Jethwa dynasty of Rajput clian ruled over this land, who was lover of art and under their royal patronage this city was beautified by constructing wide roads foot paths, symmetrical buildings along the roadsides, having right angular squares, fountains, gardens, public places, temple and so on. The uniqueness of Porbandar city is that it is constructed of special type of white soft stone carves artistically and that is why this is popularly known as "WHITE CITY" also.
Porbandar is closely linked with Junagadh in the south-west and with Jamnagar in the north. Porbandar has an all weather port, has direct business relation with indigenous and foreign port. Porbadnar is well linked on broad-gauge to many important cities like nation capital Delhi and financial capital Bombay. Porbandar since old days is facilitated by an air port having daily flight to Bombay.
Porbandar has various local sites seeing spots of varieties like tourism, pilgrimage, Barda Sanctuary world famous Blue beach of Madhavpur, Educational centers like Aryakanya Gurukul and Sandipani Ashram to recall our memory to Takshashila and Nalanda school of Vedic Culture. Over all it is pertinent to call Porbandar a place of great import Mythological, Culturally, Historically, Religiously, Socially and on many other contests like Industrial, tourism and education point of view.
It will not be out of place to draw attention towards an old popular saying that Porbandar is bitterly known for RANA,PANA and BHANA, RANA, the rulers RANA NATWAR SINH, PANA , limestone reserves BHANA, Bhanji Lavji the famous firm for GHEE export to many countries. Furthermore to known that Porbandar has a special life style and folk culture more particularly due to Mehar (MER) community who has put the name of Porbandar on the global map due to its unique dance Maniyara RAS and sward/ Dandiya Ras which reflects the warrior / brave nature of the MER caste.
The another community who is never less than the MER in giving unique identity to Porbandar, is KHARVA, famous for fishing (Harvesting Sea and taking Sea crops) and also for fisheries and Sea Voyage.