Veraval

File:Somanatha view-II.JPG at the Prabhas Patan, Veraval.]]

Veraval was founded in the 13th or 14th century by Rao Veravalji Vadher, a Rajput. Its 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, although in a very bad state.

The Nawabi Palace with Gothic features is one of the main attractions. It is popularly known as Somnath College (the palace was converted into a college after it was abandoned by the Nawab). At present it is the building of a Sanskrit university. The town is often known as the gateway to the magnificent Somnath Temple and the pilgrimage centres of Prabhas Patan and Bhalkha. Veraval is also the nearest town to the Gir National Park (42 km away). Veraval's importance now is as a fishing port, one of the largest in India. Seafaring dhows and wooden fishing boats are still built by the fishermen without the use of any modern technology. Traditional skills are passed down from father to son.{{Citation needed|date=December 2013}}

On 30 March 2021, Veraval–Pabhas Patan joint municipality passed a resolution to change its name to Somnath Municipality. The final decision will be taken by Home Ministry of India.{{Cite web|date=2021-03-30|title=Veraval – Patan municipality decides to change the name of the town as Somnath|url=https://www.deshgujarat.com/2021/03/30/veraval-patan-municipality-decides-to-change-the-name-of-the-town-as-somnath/|access-date=2021-09-05|website=DeshGujarat|language=en-US}}{{Cite news|date=2021-03-31|title=વેરાવળનું નામ સોમનાથ કરવા ઠરાવ, 71 વર્ષે નગર પાલિકાનું નામ બદલશે|language=gu|work=Divya Bhaskar|url=https://www.divyabhaskar.co.in/local/gujarat/veraval/news/the-resolution-to-rename-veraval-as-somnath-will-change-the-name-of-the-municipality-to-71-years-128370494.html}}{{Cite web|date=2021-03-31|title=Veraval-Patan municipality to be rename as Somnath |department=Rajkot News |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/rajkot/veraval-patan-municipality-to-be-rename-as-somnath/articleshow/81765763.cms|access-date=2021-09-05|website=The Times of India|language=en}}

File:Veraval Somnath Environ map 1911.jpg

Veraval is located at {{Coord|20.9|N|70.37|E}}.[https://www.fallingrain.com/world/IN/09/Veraval.html Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Veraval] It has an average elevation of 0 metres (0 feet).

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{{bar box

|title=Religions in Veraval (2011){{cite web |title=C-16 Population By Religion - Gujarat|url=https://censusindia.gov.in/2011census/C-01/DDW24C-01%20MDDS.XLS|website=census.gov.in |publisher=Office of the Registrar General & Census Commissioner, India}}

|titlebar=#FCD116

|left1=Religion

|right1=Percent

|float=right

|bars=

{{bar percent|Hindus|darkorange|68.33}}

{{bar percent|Muslims|#008000|30.71}}

{{bar percent|Other or not stated|black|0.96}}

}}

As of the 2011 India census,{{cite web|url=http://censusindia.gov.in/2011-prov-results/paper2/data_files/India2/Table_2_PR_Cities_1Lakh_and_Above.pdf?stad=A&state5=999 |archive-date=16 June 2004 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040616075334/http://censusindia.gov.in/2011-prov-results/paper2/data_files/India2/Table_2_PR_Cities_1Lakh_and_Above.pdf |title=Census of India 2011: Data from the 2011 Census, including cities, villages and towns (Provisional)|access-date=1 November 2008 |publisher=Census Commission of India}} Veraval had a population of 153,696. Males constitute 51% of the population and females 49%. Veraval has an average literacy rate of 62%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 71%, and female literacy is 53%. In Veraval, 14% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Veraval has a tropical savanna climate (Köppen Aw) borderline on a hot semi-arid climate (BSh) with very warm to hot temperatures throughout the year. Almost all rainfall occurs during the summer monsoon season from June to September, typically falling in extremely short-lived but intense storms: on average rain falls for a total of fewer than eighty hours each year.{{cite conference|url=https://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/document?repid=rep1&type=pdf&doi=cdc5c3167c382a3b347037edc2098f4c95f20834|title=Political Economy of Rainwater Harvesting in India: Reflections in Central and Regional Law and Policy|last=Vani|first=M.S.|publisher=Development Centre for Alternative Policies|location=New Delhi, India|date=November 2005|conference=XII International Rainwater Catchment Systems Conference}} Rainfall is also exceptionally variable from year to year:See {{cite journal|last1=Dewar|first1=Robert E.|last2=Wallis|first2=James R.|year=1999|title=Geographical patterning of interannual rainfall variability in the tropics and near tropics: An L-moments approach|journal=Journal of Climate|volume=12|pages=3457–3466}} only {{convert|69.7|mm|in|2|disp=or}} fell in 1901, but as much as {{convert|1888.3|mm|in|2|disp=or}} fell in 2009, of which {{convert|1531.7|mm|in|2|disp=or}} fell in July of that year and a record daily total of {{convert|503.8|mm|in|2|disp=or}} on Veraval's wettest day of 16 July, 2009.

{{weather box|width=auto

| location = Veraval (1991–2020, extremes 1901–present)

| metric first = yes

| single line = yes

| Jan record high C = 37.4

| Feb record high C = 38.8

| Mar record high C = 42.9

| Apr record high C = 43.1

| May record high C = 44.2

| Jun record high C = 39.2

| Jul record high C = 37.1

| Aug record high C = 34.9

| Sep record high C = 38.2

| Oct record high C = 41.2

| Nov record high C = 38.9

| Dec record high C = 35.8

| year record high C = 44.2

| Jan high C = 29.2

| Feb high C = 30.0

| Mar high C = 32.0

| Apr high C = 32.5

| May high C = 33.0

| Jun high C = 32.8

| Jul high C = 30.8

| Aug high C = 30.0

| Sep high C = 31.1

| Oct high C = 34.1

| Nov high C = 33.7

| Dec high C = 30.9

|year high C = 31.7

| Jan mean C = 22.3

| Feb mean C = 23.6

| Mar mean C = 26.1

| Apr mean C = 27.9

| May mean C = 29.7

| Jun mean C = 30.3

| Jul mean C = 28.8

| Aug mean C = 28.0

| Sep mean C = 28.2

| Oct mean C = 29.0

| Nov mean C = 27.3

| Dec mean C = 24.2

| year mean C =

| Jan low C = 15.4

| Feb low C = 17.1

| Mar low C = 20.2

| Apr low C = 23.5

| May low C = 26.5

| Jun low C = 27.7

| Jul low C = 26.8

| Aug low C = 25.9

| Sep low C = 25.4

| Oct low C = 24.0

| Nov low C = 21.2

| Dec low C = 17.5

|year low C = 22.6

| Jan record low C = 4.4

| Feb record low C = 4.4

| Mar record low C = 9.4

| Apr record low C = 13.9

| May record low C = 18.1

| Jun record low C = 20.0

| Jul record low C = 20.4

| Aug record low C = 20.4

| Sep record low C = 19.0

| Oct record low C = 13.3

| Nov record low C = 10.0

| Dec record low C = 7.2

|year record low C = 4.4

| rain colour = green

| Jan rain mm = 0.9

| Feb rain mm = 0.2

| Mar rain mm = 0.3

| Apr rain mm = 0.3

| May rain mm = 1.5

| Jun rain mm = 146.8

| Jul rain mm = 342.0

| Aug rain mm = 255.6

| Sep rain mm = 110.1

| Oct rain mm = 13.9

| Nov rain mm = 4.7

| Dec rain mm = 0.9

|year rain mm = 877.1

| Jan rain days = 0.2

| Feb rain days = 0.0

| Mar rain days = 0.0

| Apr rain days = 0.0

| May rain days = 0.1

| Jun rain days = 5.2

| Jul rain days = 11.2

| Aug rain days = 9.2

| Sep rain days = 5.1

| Oct rain days = 1.0

| Nov rain days = 0.3

| Dec rain days = 0.1

|year rain days = 32.5

|time day = 17:30 IST

| Jan humidity = 55

| Feb humidity = 62

| Mar humidity = 70

| Apr humidity = 74

| May humidity = 76

| Jun humidity = 79

| Jul humidity = 84

| Aug humidity = 85

| Sep humidity = 80

| Oct humidity = 71

| Nov humidity = 62

| Dec humidity = 56

|year humidity = 71

|source 1 = India Meteorological Department{{cite web

| url = https://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/Climatological%20Tables%201991-2020.pdf

| title = Climatological Tables of Observatories in India 1991-2020

| publisher = India Meteorological Department

| access-date = April 8, 2024

}}

{{cite web

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200205040301/http://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/1981-2010%20CLIM%20NORMALS%20%28STATWISE%29.pdf

| archive-date = 5 February 2020

| url = https://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/1981-2010%20CLIM%20NORMALS%20%28STATWISE%29.pdf

| title = Station: Veraval Climatological Table 1981–2010

| publisher = India Meteorological Department

| date = December 2016

| pages = 789–790

| access-date = 28 December 2020}}

{{cite web

| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200205042509/http://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/EXTREMES%20OF%20TEMPERATURE%20and%20RAINFALL%20upto%202012.pdf

| archive-date = 5 February 2020

| url = https://imdpune.gov.in/library/public/EXTREMES%20OF%20TEMPERATURE%20and%20RAINFALL%20upto%202012.pdf

| title = Extremes of Temperature & Rainfall for Indian Stations (Up to 2012)

| publisher = India Meteorological Department

| date = December 2016

| page = M62

| access-date = 28 December 2020}}

|source 2 = Tokyo Climate Center (mean temperatures 1991–2020)

{{cite web

| url = https://ds.data.jma.go.jp/gmd/tcc/tcc/products/climate/normal/parts/NrmMonth_e.php?stn=42909

| title = Normals Data: Veraval – India Latitude: 20.90°N Longitude: 70.37°E Height: 6 (m)

| publisher = Japan Meteorological Agency

| access-date = 1 December 2022}}

}}

Veraval has a predominant Gujarati population. Amongst Gujaratis, Karadiya Rajput, Kumbhar Samaj (Prajapati), Jains (Oswal), the Soni (Jewellers, mainly from the clans of Dhakan, Patt, Sagar, etc.), Kharwa,DHUNDHA FAMILY Ahir (Yadav), brahma samaj and the Kolis Patni Jamat, Rajwadi bhois, Hadi, Lohanas, Maleks, Memons, and Raykas. There is also a sizable population Sindhis.

Gujarati and Hindi are the most common languages in the town. Migratory people from other parts of the country also hold a good amount of population in the city.

File:Somnath University Gate.jpg

The city is home to Shree Somnath Sanskrit University. Some of the other institutions which provide higher education are College of Fisheries Science and Government Science College.

File:Viraval.in Fishery Harbour Somanath - panoramio.jpg

Fisheries have always been the main industries in the town and are dominated by the Kharwas (fisherfolk). The fishing is done mostly on traditional boats and trawlers. Veraval also has a large boat making industry. Veraval is home to a large number of fish processing factories in Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation (GIDC) which export prime quality seafood to USA, Japan, SE Asian, Gulf and EU Countries. The seafood-industry which was started through government initiative now is in its prime and many importers are attracted towards Veraval from around the globe. Regional research centers of CIFT and CMFRI situated at Veraval have done Yeoman service in development of fisheries sector in Gujarat.

Veraval also is home to Grasim Industries limited (Unit - Indian Rayon) which is one of India's largest rayon manufacturing companies.

There are various chemical, thread and cement companies around Veraval which provide employment to the local youth. The major ones being Indian Rayon Unit of Grasim industries limited, Gujarat Ambuja Cement Ltd, Gujarat Siddhee Cement Ltd and Gujarat Heavy Chemicals Ltd.

Kharwa and Patni Jamat, a local inhabitants have flourished as main seafood exporter after the 1990s. They have a very good hold on the fishing business.

File:Veraval Beach.jpg|Veraval Beach

File:Veraval Beach Sunset 2013.jpg|Sunset at Veraval Beach

File:Camel on the beach (16495607540).jpg|Camel on the beach

File:SOMNATH TEMPLE.jpg|Somnath Temple

• Somnath Temple - It is one of the most sacred pilgrimage sites for Hindus and is the first among the twelve jyotirlinga shrines of Shiva.
• Lalit Tribhangi Temple - An important place of pushtimarg founded by Vallabhacharya Mahaprabhu. The deity Lalit Tribhangi is a swarup of lord Krishna, bending too much and playing flute.
• Bhalka - It is said that the hunter Jara ended Krishna life by an arrow shot to Krishna's foot, later suffering severe and subsequently fatal injuries. It is a part of the Lord Krishna pilgrimage circuit.
• Triveni Sangam - It is a confluence of the three holy rivers Saraswati, Kapil and Hiran which flow into the Arabian Sea. It is a sacrosanct pilgrimage revered by Hindus as the Moksha Teerth.

File:Thiruvananthapuram Veraval Express.jpg

The city has two railway stations namely Veraval Junction and Somnath. Veraval Junction is a fairly busy railway junction station for Western Railways and is served by more than 14 pairs of regional and long-distance trains.

Daily (or multiple daily) trains connect it to major cities in Gujarat such as Ahmedabad, Bharuch, Jamnagar, Junagadh, Porbandar, Rajkot, Surat and Vadodara.

Daily connections are also available to many other towns in Gujarat such as Keshod, Jetalsar, Gondal, Wankaner, Surendranagar, Viramgam, Nadiad, Anand, Valsad, Vapi, Dahod and Godhra.

Daily long-distance trains connect Veraval to several cities in India including Bhopal,Jabalpur, Itarsi, Ratlam, Ujjain, Indore and Mumbai.

Pune, Varanasi, Trivandrum, Kochi, Kollam, Kottayam, Thrissur, Kozhikode, Kannur, Mangalore, Karwar, Madgaon, Ratnagiri and Panvel are some of the cities connected by weekly long-distance trains.

The nearest airports are Diu, Keshod And Rajkot. Daily Flights connect Diu and Keshod to Mumbai.

• Khusrau Khan - 16th Sultan of Delhi
• Pushpaben Mehta - An Indian social worker
• Poonja Gokuldas Meghji - businessman and the grandfather of Muhammad Ali Jinnah

• Somnath temple
• Jyotirlinga
• Gir National Park
• Bhalka Tirth
• List of cities in India

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Category:Port cities in India

Category:Cities and towns in Gir Somnath district

Category:Ports and harbours of Gujarat

Category:Hindu pilgrimage sites in India

Category:Krishna