Veraval on the coast of Gujarat is a major fishing port. Over a thousand fishing boats go out from here ranging from fishing dinghies to ocean going vessels. You can also see wooden dhows, and other boats being built painstakingly by hand. Of course the smell of fish is very strong and seabirds can be seen diving in to get their fill.
In the old days it was a major port for pilgrims headed for Mecca. The eerie Old Navab's Palace is a mute reminder of Veraval's old glory.
Today visitors come to Veraval to go to Somnath to visit the famous Somnath Temple. The history of this famous temple as narrated by the guides is part fact and part legend. The moon god, it is said, built this Temple in gold. Subsequently Ravana (the demon king of Lanka in the Epic Ramayan) built it in Silver, This was followed by a temple built in wood by Lord Krishna himself. Al-Biruni, an Arab traveller wrote about it in glowing terms. This proved counter productive as it attracted Mahmud of Gazni (of Afghanistan) to raid it and carry away gold and jewels looted from here on numerous horses and camels, He razed the Temple to the ground. After this the temple was rebuilt and looted and destroyed several times, being rebuilt as it stands today only in 1950.
The Somnath temple is one of the 12 jyotirlingams, (sacred shrines) of Shiva. The temple lies along the shore. While the present temple is new, there is a small ruined part of the old temple within its precincts. It consists of only the foundation and plinth. Along the boundary is an ancient arrow made of rock which it is said points to the South Pole. Infact if you sail in the direction pointed by it, you will arrive at the south Pole. It is said that in ancient times sailors used it, to navigate and sail to the southern hemisphere.
The Temple has a sound and light show at night narrating the history of the temple. It is worth watching. The Prabas Patan Museum has several old carved stones of the ancient temple.
The area between Veraval and Somnath is where Lord Krishna is said to have spent his last days. Infact Bhalka Tirath, is where Krishna died when asleep, being mistaken for a deer and wounded by a Bhil's (tribals) arrow. This legendary spot lies at the confluence of 3 rivers. Enter from the Nana (small) Gate, north of this spot to see the Suraj Mandir (Temple of the Sun). This is a very old small temple dating back to the time of the original temple of Somnath. Krishna was said to have been cremated on the banks of the confluence of the 3 rivers. A tree once stood here but was uprooted during the time of the last cyclone.
Veraval has a small market with a few shops selling local handicrafts. Food is mostly vegetarian but wholesome. It is a great take off point for the Gir Wildlife Sanctuary, Junagadh and even Diu.