Veraval

Veraval

Veraval is a city and the headquarters of Gir Somnath district in the Indian state of Gujarat. Somnath temple, a place of pilgrimage due to its importance as Jyotirlinga site dedicated to Lord Shiva, is located here. It is also known for the hub of fishing industries in India. Veraval was founded in 13th or 14th century by Rao Veravalji Vadher, a Rajput. Present name is believed to be derived from its old name "Velakul" meaning Port City. Veraval was once a fortified port town of the royal family of Junagadh. It was a part of the Kingdom of Junagadh till 1947 when Junagadh was merged with India. The city still bears some remnants of the old Nawabi heritage, the Nawabi summer palace being among them. There are ruins of the old Nawabi fort and Nawabi Gates in and around the place. The old walls of the port are now ruined, but the impressive Junagadh gate and the Patan gate are still seen, but are in a very bad state.