Veraval
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The town of Veraval is located 6 km from Somnath. It is a part of Junagadh District of Gujarat(Saurashtra), in India. (Latitude:20o54'N, Longitude:70o22'E)
History
Veraval was once a fortified port town of the royal family of Junagadh. The Nawab of Junagadh was the ruler of the place till 1953 when the district of Junagadh was merged with India. The city still bears some remains of the old Nawabi heritage, the beautiful Nawabi summer palace being one of 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.The Nawabi Palace with gothic features which 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). The town is often know as the gateway to the magnificent temple of Somnath and the pilgrimage centres of Prabhas Patan and Bhalkha. Veraval is also the nearest town to the Gir National Park (42 km away).
Before the rise of Surat, Veraval was the major seaport for pilgrims to Mecca. Its is importance now is as a fishing port which is one of largest in India. Sea going dhows and fishing boats are still being built by the sea without the use of any instruments other than a tape-measure. Traditional skills are passed down from father to son.
People
Veraval has a predominant Gujarati population. Amongst gujaratis, the Kharwas and the Kolis form a sizable part of the local population. In addition to the local gujaratis, there are also a large number of Sindhis and a sizable population of Malayalees.Gujarati and Hindi are the most popular languages in the town.
Industry
Fisheries has always been the main industry in the town and is dominanted by the Kharwa's(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 fisheries factories which ship fish abroad.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.Veraval also is home to Aditya Birla Nuvo Ltd (Formerly:Indian-Rayon Industries Ltd) which is one of India's largest rayon manufacturing companies.
There are various chemical and cement companies around veraval which provide employment to the local youth. The major ones being Gujarat Ambuja Cement Ltd, Gujarat Siddhee Cement Ltd, Gujarat Heavy Chemicals Ltd.
Coastline
Veraval also enjoyes a long coastline, lined with beaches. Beaches extend uninterrupted almost throughout the veraval coast. Only a small portion of the beach has been commercialised and majority of the beach is still virgin.
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