Veraval, also known as Somnath, is a coastal 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 one of the 12 Jyotirlinga sites dedicated to the Hindu deity Shiva, is located here. Veraval is also associated with the final earthly moments of Lord Krishna, as Bhalka Tirtha, traditionally believed to be the place where Krishna was struck by the arrow of the hunter Jara, is located in the city. It is one of India's major fishing ports and a prominent centre for seafood processing and export.
Etymology The present name Veraval is generally traced to the Prakrit word velā or vela, derived from the Sanskrit term velākula or velakul (वेलाकुल), meaning a coastal settlement, shore, or landing place. The term is associated with maritime activity and coastal habitation, reflecting the town's historical role as a port and fishing centre along the Arabian Sea.
In historical sources, Veraval has also been referred to as Somnathpura. The town has also been referred to as Somnath Bandar, a name that highlights its geographical and functional association with the Somnath Temple and its role as the principal port serving the temple town.
Medieval Arabic and Persian accounts of the western Indian coastline mention the harbour at Veraval in connection with maritime trade routes linking western India with West Asia and eastern Africa, indicating its importance as a regional port during the medieval period.
Over time, as administrative usage became standardised under regional and later colonial governance, the name Veraval came into common and official use, while Somnath became obsolete.
On 30 March 2021, Veraval Municipality unanimously passed a resolution to officially change the name of the city from Veraval to Somnath. Along with this, they also decided to rename the municipal body as Somnath Municipality. The final decision will be taken by Home Ministry of India.
History
Ancient period The region surrounding Veraval, situated on the Saurashtra coast of present-day Gujarat, has been inhabited since ancient times. Archaeological evidence indicates that the broader Saurashtra peninsula formed part of the cultural and trade network of the Indus Valley Civilization (c. 2600–1900 BCE), with coastal settlements participating in maritime trade across the Arabian Sea.Possehl, Gregory L. (2002). The Indus Civilization: A Contemporary Perspective. AltaMira Press.
Following the decline of the Indus Valley Civilization, the region continued to be occupied during the Vedic and early historic periods. Classical Greco-Roman sources such as the Periplus of the Erythraean Sea (1st century CE) describe active maritime trade along the western coast of India, including ports in Saurashtra that engaged in commerce with the Roman Empire.The Periplus of the Erythraean Sea, translated by Wilfred H. Schoff (1912).
Early medieval period During the early medieval period, the region came under the rule of the Maitrakas of Vallabhi (c. 5th–8th centuries CE), followed by local dynasties such as the Saindhavas and the Chudasamas.Majumdar, R. C. (1954). The History and Culture of the Indian People: The Classical Age. Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan.
Veraval’s growth was closely tied to the Somnath temple within the town, one of the twelve Jyotirlinga shrines of Shiva, which became a major religious and economic center. The temple attracted pilgrims from across the Indian subcontinent and contributed to the growth of settlements in its vicinity.Asher, Catherine B.; Talbot, Cynthia (2006). India Before Europe. Cambridge University Press.
Islamic incursions and Sultanate rule The region gained prominence in historical records following the raid on the Somnath temple by Mahmud of Ghazni in 1025 CE. Persian chronicles describe the event as part of his campaigns into the Indian subcontinent.Thapar, Romila (2004). Somanatha: The Many Voices of a History. Verso.
In subsequent centuries, Saurashtra came under the control of the Delhi Sultanate and later the Gujarat Sultanate. Coastal towns such as Veraval continued to function as active ports facilitating maritime trade across the Arabian Sea.Ray, Himanshu Prabha (2003). The Archaeology of Seafaring in Ancient South Asia. Cambridge University Press.
Mughal and Maratha period By the 16th century, the region was incorporated into the Mughals. Under Mughal administration, trade and port activities remained significant, with coastal Gujarat playing a key role in Indian Ocean commerce.Richards, John F. (1993). The Mughal Empire. Cambridge University Press.
Following the decline of Mughal authority in the 18th century, Saurashtra experienced political fragmentation, with control passing between local rulers and Maratha Empire.Gordon, Stewart (1993). The Marathas 1600–1818. Cambridge University Press.
Princely state era During the 18th and 19th centuries, Veraval formed part of the princely state of Junagadh State, ruled by Muslim Nawabs under British paramountcy. The town developed as an important port, supporting regional trade, fishing, and shipbuilding industries.Imperial Gazetteer of India (1908). Kathiawar. Oxford University Press.
Infrastructure improvements during the colonial period, including port facilities and railway connections, enhanced Veraval’s role as a commercial center in the Kathiawar region.Government of Bombay (1884). Gazetteer of the Bombay Presidency: Kathiawar.
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.
Integration into India and modern era At the time of the Partition of India in 1947, Junagadh State acceded to Pakistan despite its predominantly Hindu population. Following political unrest and administrative intervention by India, a plebiscite was held in February 1948 in which the majority voted in favor of accession to India.Menon, V. P. (1956). The Story of the Integration of the Indian States. Orient Longman.
After integration into the Indian Union, Veraval developed into one of India’s major fishing ports and a significant center for seafood processing.
Geography
Veraval is located at .Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Veraval It has an average elevation of 0 metres (0 feet). It is a coastal urban area situated along the Arabian Sea on the southern coast of the Saurashtra peninsula.
The terrain of the city area is predominantly flat and low-lying, characteristic of the western coastal plains of Gujarat. The coastline includes sandy beaches interspersed with rocky stretches, while the land gradually rises further inland. The natural harbour at Veraval has historically supported fishing and maritime activity, while the coastal setting has equally influenced the spatial development as part of the same urban geography.
The region experiences a tropical climate, with hot summers, a southwest monsoon season, and mild winters. Most annual rainfall occurs between June and September due to the monsoon. Proximity to the Arabian Sea moderates temperature extremes compared to inland areas of the Saurashtra region.
The surrounding area includes coastal ecosystems, fishing zones, and agricultural land, while the Gir forest region lies further inland to the east.
Demographics
As of the 2011 India census, 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.
Climate 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. Rainfall is also exceptionally variable from year to year:See only fell in 1901, but as much as fell in 2009, of which fell in July of that year and a record daily total of on Veraval's wettest day of 16 July 2009.
Civic administration Veraval is the administrative headquarters of Gir Somnath district and is administered by Somnath Municipal Council. The council was established in January 1950. The Council Chief Officer is a Gujarat Administrative Service (GAS) appointed by the state government who reserves the administrative executive powers, whereas the Municipality is headed by the President. The city is structured into 11 wards with a total of 44 elected councillor seats. The administrative responsibilities of municipality are water and sewerage services, primary education, health services, fire services, public transport and the city's infrastructure. The Urban planning and development of suburban area are done by Somnath Urban Development Authority.
People 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.
Education
Veraval serves as an educational hub for the surrounding coastal region of Saurashtra, with institutions offering primary, secondary, and higher education. Schools in the city are affiliated with the Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board (GSEB), while some private institutions follow national boards such as CBSE.
Higher education in Veraval is supported by several colleges offering undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in arts, commerce, and science. Notable institutions include Shree Somnath Sanskrit University, which specialises in Sanskrit studies, Indology, and traditional Indian knowledge systems, and colleges affiliated with Saurashtra University that provide general and professional courses.Government of Gujarat. District Gazetteers: Junagadh District.
The city also has institutions focused on technical and vocational education, particularly in fields related to fisheries, marine engineering, and coastal industries, reflecting Veraval’s status as one of India’s major fishing ports. Training centres and polytechnic institutes cater to skill development in these sectors.Government of India. Ministry of Fisheries reports.
In addition to formal education, religious and cultural institutions in the Somnath area contribute to traditional learning, particularly in Sanskrit and Vedic studies. Libraries and local educational initiatives further support literacy and continuing education in the region.
Economy
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.