The district of Porbandar is located in Saurashtra and its headquarters was a thriving port on the Arabian Sea being located centrally between the ports of Mandvi and Veraval. Porbandar is still a center for commercial fishing and wooden ship building, a craft form which though adapted to modern technological inputs has more or less remained unchanged since the last five hundred years.
The development of the port town is the result of extensive Limestone deposits along the coastline,which are being mined and used as an architectural tool.
Cattle herding Bharwads and semi-nomadic Rabaris inhabit this district who earlier was constantly on the move in search of greener pastures but are now more or less settled communities. They bring with them their own distinctive style of embroidery, weaving and braiding with exquisite silver jewelry favored by both men and women. Some interesting beadwork is also undertaken by women of these communities.
Porbandar district is known for its association with the Khadi Movement.