Porbandar is a small port town that is linked with India's history through its association with Mahatma Gandhi, who was born here. Porbandar is an intermediate seaport on the southwest coast of Saurashtra. To commemorate the birth of Gandhi a 79 feet high imposing building has been built in an otherwise Spartan lane of the city where Bapu was born in 1869 AD. Porbandar is also the place where Gandhi ji's wife, Kasturba, was born. A chronological history on the life of the Mahatma is listed in the museum at Kirti Mandir. Porbandar is also an industrial town with cement and chemical units. Besides, it has a fine beach and beautiful villas on the seacoast.

Kirti Mandir

This memorial to Gandhi was built in 1950. There's a small bookshop and an exhibit of photographs, some with English captions. Next-door is Gandhi ji's actual birthplace- 300 years old house. Narrow wooden staircase leads the visitors to the upper storyline particular to Gandhi is reading room. The Kirti Mandir houses are one of India's many collections of Gandhi memorabilia. There is also an exhibit of photographs.

Bharat Mandir (Porbandar)

Bharat Mandir is 2km from town center. The large Bharat mandir hall is in a garden opposite the planetarium. On the floor is a huge relief map of India and the building's pillars are painted with bas-reliefs of more than 100 religious figures and personages from Hindu epics. Visitors are attracted to Bharat Mandir, depicting great men and religious preceptors of India.