| FACTS
& FIGURES
Languages
: Gujarati, Hindi, and English
Population :
2.3 million
STD code : 0261
Best time to visit :
October to March
LOCATION
The city of Surat is situated on the
bank of river Tapi in the West Indian state of Gujarat.
The city extends from latitude 21°15' in the North
to longitude 72°52' in the East. It occupies a pivotal
position on the Ahmedabad-Mumbai corridor and is well
connected by railway. Surat is at a distance of 230
km from Ahmedabad, 256 km from Mumbai, and 129 km from
Vadodara.
CLIMATE
The climate of Surat is mild due to
its nearness to the Arabian Sea. There is not much change
in the winter and summer temperature, which ranges between
10°C to 38°C. Although one can visit Surat in
any season, the best time to do so would be between
October and March.
PAST
Surat finds mention in the Mahabharata
when Lord Krishna stopped here during his journey from
Mathura to Dwarka with his cows. According to the Sanskrit
scriptures, this area was under the control of the western
Chalukyas in AD 610 and remained under Hindu kings till
12th century when a general of Qutub-ud-din Aibak captured
the city. The wealth and prosperity of the city started
in the 12th century when Parsis first settled here.
Akbar captured the city in 1573 after a long siege and
it became an important Mughal trading point. Arabian
traders started calling this place Bunder-E-Khubsoorat
(the beautiful port), which later shortened to Surat.
In 1612, the British established their trading factory
here, soon to be followed by the Dutch and French. Due
to political and climatic problems and growing importance
of Mumbai, Surat lost its prominence. In 1852, Surat
became the first municipality of Gujarat and gradually
it became a major business city famous for its textile
industry.
SITES TO VISIT
In 1546, the Sultan of Gujarat built
a castle in Surat on the banks of the Tapi. Nowadays,
this place houses several government offices.
There are English, Dutch, and Armenian cemeteries around
the Kataragama Gate. There is a massive mausoleum of
Baron Adrian Van Reede, who died here in 1691.
Sardar Patel Museum was established in 1898 and originally
named as Winchester Museum. It displays over 10,000
exhibits of arts and crafts. The museum is open from
11.45 am to 13.45 pm on Tuesday to Saturday and 14.45
pm to 17.45 pm on Sunday. The museum remains closed
on Monday and public holidays.
Surat is home to many Hindu, Jain, and Parsi temples
and mosques.
SITES NEARBY
Duma is around 16 km
off Surat and a popular health resort on the Arabian
Sea. Accommodation facilities are available in various
cottages around the place.
Hajira (28 km) is a seaside resort
and famous as a picnic spot.
Ubharat is an upcoming beach resort
around 42 km off Surat.
Navsari is around 29 km south of Surat
and known as the headquarters of Parsis since their
settlement in Surat.
Udvada, near Surat, has the distinction
of having the oldest sacred fire of Parsis in India.
It is said that the fire was brought from Persia.
FAIRS AND FESTIVALS
In the month of January/February, a
week preceding Holi, the local tribes have a major festival
in the forested region. The festival is known as
Dang Durbar.
WHERE TO STAY
Being a major business center, there
are good accommodation options available in the city.
Majority of the hotels are in the budget category but
some standard options also exist. Some of the hotels
provide restaurant, conference hall, swimming pool,
travel desk, and credit card acceptance facility.
WHAT TO EAT
Dining at Surat and dying at Varanasi,
so the saying goes, is the way to heaven. A peculiar
thing about Gujarati cuisine is that sugar is added
to every preparation. The traditional (thali) meal carries
four vegetables (two green vegetable preparations, one
of potato and one kathod), dal (pulses), curry, roti
(wheat flour bread), rotla (sorghum bread), rice, khichari,
a pudding, and accompaniments (butter milk, papad, kachumbver,
athana, etc.).
The food, whether at home or in a restaurant, is not
overly laced in oil and despite the rich ingredients
is healthy and satisfying. Something one can enjoy again
and again.
HOW TO REACH
Surat does not have an airport. Baroda,
situated around 140 km from Surat, is the nearest airport.
Surat is an important railway station on Western Railway's
network and is connected to all parts of the country.
The National Highway 8 connects Surat to all parts
of Gujarat. The distances to some important centers
from Surat are Ahmedabad, 267 km; Baroda, 140 km; Mumbai,
326 km; Bhavnagar, 422 km; Okhla, 706 km; Junagarh,
550 km; Jamnagar, 531 km; Bhuj, 619 km; and Palanpur,
434 km.
There are regular state transport and private buses
from Surat to the important centers of the region and
Gujarat. Tourist taxis, auto-rickshaws, and city bus
service are available from the main bus stand.
For local transport, tourist taxis, auto-rickshaws,
and city buses are available.
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