Day 80 - Surat

Surat, previously known as Suryapur, is a well-developed metropolis of the Indian state of Gujarat.Referred as a city of Silk and Diamond, Surat is considered as an important commercial hub of Gujarat. It has a major gem industry and around 90% of the world’s diamonds are cut here. Apart from these features, this city is the second largest city in Gujarat and ninth largest city in India. It is located on the banks of the Tapti River.The history of Surat gives a glimpse of its varied heritage of the past. With a reference in the Mahabharata, Surat has a long history that has given it a significant place in the history of India. Parsis had started settling down in the city in the 12th century. T.In the 15th century after the nearby main city, Rander, was repeatedly attacked by the Portuguese  Surat rose in importance apparently because of Malek Gopi, who had gained stature in government under the Gujarat Sultanate.  He convinced traders to settle in what is now known as Surat, developing it into a major trading center by 1514. The city was fortified by the Sultanate to protect against further invasion, though there are very few remains of the wall to be seen today.In 1572, Emperor Akbar took control of Surat, which became a major Mughal trading port, as well as the point of departure by sea for Mecca-bound Muslim pilgrims. It is said that between the 17th and 18th centuries, there were ships docked in Surat flying 84 flags from around the world. Surat was one of India’s most prosperous cities, its spices and textiles attracting the British in 1612, the Dutch in 1616, and the French in 1664. When the Marathas invaded in the 17th century, while Mughal and Portugese factories were plundered, the British East India Company, under President George Oxenden, defended its factory successfully, in its first foothold on the subcontinent. The British continued to rule through independent puppet Nawabs from 1733, taking control openly in 1759. They gradually started shifting their weight to the port in Bombay for easier shipping.In spite of being built high on the bank to protect it from floods, the city was devastated by floods in 1822, 1837, and 1843, as well as by a great fire in 1837.


How to reach here:

By Air : Surat has its own domestic airport but the connectivity is limited. The nearest international airport is at Ahmedabad which is around 268 km from Surat.

By Rail : The Surat railway station is well connected to the major cities in India. Direct trains are available from Delhi (Ag Kranti Rjdhn), Mumbai (AHMEDABAD SUP S), Ahmedabad (Dee Garibrath) and Chennai (Navjeevan Exp).


Best time to visit: October to February.


Languages spoken: Gujarati, Hindi, English.


Must eat: Ghari, Khaman, Onndhiyu.


Famous Restaurants: Mainland China, Flow, Sizzling salsa, Ziba, Dil Se Re, Bombay blues.


Places you must visit:

Bardoli is a famous historic place located in the vicinity of Surat, at about 34 km away. Bardoli was the venue for the farmers’ movement called ‘Bardoli Satyagrah’, which took place in 1921-22 under the leadership of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.Bardoli is famous for Swaraj Ashram.





Dumas Beach is a popular destination situated in the vicinity of Surat, at a distance of 18 km away. The palm and casuarinas fringed sea shores of Dumas are popular among the leisure travelers visiting Surat.





Hajira, situated at a distance of 28 km from Surat, is a popular destination of beach lovers. The casuarinas, fringed sandy beaches of Hajira, lies on the creek of the Arabian Sea.



The Dutch Garden or the Dutch cemetery is a popular attraction of Surat, which is located near Kataragam Gate.The Dutch Cemetery is known for its ancient mausoleums, built in the memory of Dutch and British officials who settled in Surat for their business ventures.  Dutch Garden of Surat encloses well landscaped gardens of old English and Dutch cemeteries which are distinguished by their architectural features. The tombs of Christopher Oxenden and George Oxenden, who became the governing body of an English company in Surat, are the most notable ones in the English cemetery.The mausoleums of the Dutch cemeteries are marked with massive Domes, beautiful pillars and huge galleries. Beneath the mausoleums, there are burial chambers, which are strong enough to withstand tons of pressure from the top of the mausoleums. The mausoleum constructed for Baron Adrian Van Reede, the director of the Dutch company in the Indies, who died in 1691, is the main attraction of the Dutch cemetery.









Sardar Patel Museum and Planetarium, known also as Sardar Sangralaya, is a popular attraction of Surat. This museum, established in the year 1889, was formerly known as ‘Winchester Museum’. Post Indian independence, the museum was renamed as Sardar Patel Museum and Planetarium after Sardar Vallabhai Patel. The museum displays artefacts and relics, which are related to the rich cultural history of Surat.




Vansda National Park used to be the royal reserve of King of Vansda, before independence. This area was declared a protected area in the year 1979. The park, spread over an area of about 24 sq km, is home to about 450 species of plants of which 430 species are flowering plants.  Situated on the banks of River Ambika, Vansda National Park is bordered on its north and west by the Shyadri ranges of Western Ghats. The deep forest area of Vansda, which is a continuum of forests of Valsad of the south and Dangs of the east, is dominated by tall teak and bamboo. Kaatas bamboo can be found in the moist deciduous areas of Vansda where as Manvel bamboo can be found in the dry deciduous forest areas. Many varieties of orchids can also be found towards the northern parts of this Park.Vansda National Park is also the natural habitat of more than 20 species of breeding populations of mammals, 115 species of birds, 31 species of snakes, 21 species of spiders and 11 species of frogs.


 




Rang upavan is an open-air amphitheater which is considered as the largest in India. Set midst landscaped gardens, the 18 m high Rangupavan has a stage of 10.5 m and can afford about 4000 people at once. This theater often becomes the venue of cultural programs and music shows in Surat.






The latest city layout has become closer to international standards with the Gaurav Path, an expressway built by the Surat Municipal Corporation. This three lane expressway connects the city with the airport.




Chintamani Jain Temple is an ancient temple situated in Surat. This 400 year-old Jain temple is famous for its vegetable dye paintings of Jain preacher Acharya Hemchandra, Solanki King and King Kumarpala.A sandalwood replica of Chintamani Jain temple can be found in London Museum, which was placed there about 90 years ago.

Ambika Niketan Temple, situated on the banks of River Tapti, was built in the year 1969. The temple is dedicated to Mother Goddess, who is in the form of Goddess Ashtabhuja Ambika.The most auspicious occasion at this temple is the Navrathri celebrations, which is conducted with great fervour. There are also shrines dedicated to Ram-Sita, Laxminarayan and Lord Shiva at Ambika Niketan Temple.

 

Swaminarayn temple belongs to the Swaminarayan Sect of Vaishnavism, wherein Swaminarayan or Sahajanand Swami is believed to be the incarnation of Narayana of Nara-Narayana.Swaminarayan Temple, situated on the banks of River Tapti, was consecrated in the year 1996. The temple, which has three shrines, is brightly coloured and has intricate wooden carvings on its external walls. The first shrine is dedicated to Harikrishna Maharaj and Radha-Krishna Dev. The 2nd shrine is dedicated to Lord Swaminarayan, Gunatitanand Swami and Gopalanand Swami and the 3rd shrine is the abode of Ghanshyam Maharaj.

Dandi is a place famous in the history of Indian independence movement that kindled the spark of civil disobedience among st the masses. Salt Satyagraha, a non-violent campaign against Salt Laws levied by the British Raj on Colonial India, began with the 'Dandi March’ which stared from Sabarmati Ashram on March 12th, 1930. On April 6th, 1930, Mahatma Gandhi and his followers breached the Salt Law at Dandi, a major salt center of India. Dandi is located at a distance of 40 km from Surat city.

Suvali Beach is a serene beach destination situated at a distance of 20 km away from Surat. This black sandy beach is visited mostly by solitude seekers.



Ubharat is a popular destination of tourists visiting Surat. Located at a distance of 42 km from Surat, Ubharat is famous for its palm fringed sandy beach.



River Side Castle is one of the main attractions of Surat city. This castle is situated on the banks of River Tapti. Built by the Sultan of Gujarat in 1546, River Side Castle now houses various corporate houses.





Tithal Beach, located at a distance of 88 km from Surat, is famous for palm fringed sandy shores among the beach lovers.



Ukai is famous for Ukai Dam which is the largest in Surat. Known also as Vallabh Sagar, Ukai Dam was built across the River Tapti, in the year 1971.





Vir Narmad Saraswati Mandir: Poet Vir Narmad (1833-86), author of  ‘Jai Jai Garvi Gujarat’ and some other famous Gujarati poems, lived in this quaint house built in 1866, now restored as a memorial. Narmad actively advocated a single national language, self-governance and created literary works that sparked off an era of social reform. During the freedom struggle, freedom fighters and artists used to gather here.





Marjan Shami Roza is a  mausoleum for Khwaja Safar Sulemanim, the Governor of Surat, was built by his son in 1540, with signs of Persian influence in the architecture.

Parsi Agyari  is the main Fire Temple of the city, with the sacred flame. There are also other less central temples around the city. Non-parsis are not allowed to enter, as in all Parsi fire temples. 

Mughalsarai or guest house, was constructed in mid 17th century under Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan for pilgrims en route to Mecca, and briefly served as a jail in 1857. The finely crafted archways and dome now stand over the Surat Municipal Corporation offices.

Purna Wildlife Sanctuary has the thickest forest cover in the state, and the highest average rainfall, at 2500 mm. At sunset, the 160 square km of lush rolling hills, teak, and bamboo, fill with the music and drums of the Dangi tribes that also populate Vansda. The main village of Mahal is at the center of the sanctuary on the banks of the Purna river, with a forest rest house. Purna and Vansda together are the only protected forest areas in South Gujarat.The Sanctuary is a part of forests in northern part of the Dangs district in South Gujarat. The area covering 160.8 sq. km is a reserved forest, which has been notified as Sanctuary in July 1990. Purna Sanctuary is a part of dense moist deciduous forests in Western Ghat of Gujarat and supports gamut of flora and fauna of very high evolutionary value. The Sanctuary, along with Vansda National Park, is the only Protected Area in South Gujarat for conserving diverse biological resources. Wildbulls, elephants Sloth bear and rhinoceros also roamed in this forest-tract during historic past (Mugal Period). Forests of this region satisfy material and cultural needs of local tribals and maintain ecological stability of the area. About 700 identified plant species with dominance of grasses and broad-leaved plants in high density and diversity are found in the Sanctuary. 

Girmal falls is a seasonal waterfall is bigger than Gira.

Shabari Dham is filled with fascinating mythology, this serene temple is supposed to have been where Lord Rama met Shabari while searching for his wife Sita and ate the berries she offered him, after tasting each one to make sure it was good. Three stones on which Lord Rama, his brother Lakshman and Shabari are said to have sat are still worshipped. Pampa lake, about 6 km from Shabari Dham, is a water source associated with a story of Lord Rama’s bathing.

The Mahal Eco Campsite is bestowed with rivers and bamboo glides, with excellent walking and trekking options. It is located on the banks of the Purna River, in the middle of the Purna Wildlife Sanctuary and is a part of the Dang Forest Division North. It is surrounded by a vast & rich forest laced with the Purna & Gira rivers. For an eco-tourist wanting to enjoy birds of moist deciduous forest mixed with bamboo, this is the best place to visit.

Saputara Tribal Museum will give you an introduction to the lifestyle, costumes, heritage and ecology of the tribal Dangs. Although the presentation lacks character, it is worth visiting to learn about many major forms of tribal expression such as a stone funerary column, grass ornaments, stuffed birds, woodcarving, clay ritual objects, body tattoos, and masks used in dance-dramas, and musical instruments. Use it as an opportunity to educate yourself about the local culture before venturing into it in a less mediated way. After the first round of information, you should feel ready to learn more in person.











Sitavan: The green woods of Saputara have history and mythology as dense as their foliage. The name means "Sita's forest". Legend goes that Lord Ram spent 11 of his 14 years in exile traversing these forests.



Artist Village  is a place to not only see and buy the tribal artifacts on display, but also to get your hands to work. You will feel welcomed and inspired to try out warli painting or craft tribal objects. Run by Chandrakant Parmar and Surya Goswami, it is a good place to learn about the culture of this region, especially for school groups. The community also provides simple accommodation for a very reasonable cost.






Nageshwar Mahadev is an  original Snake temple and is replaced by the Nageshwar Mahadev temple, on the southern bank of the Saputara Lake.
 




Pandav Gufa also known as the Aravalem Caves well known by the mystical stories of Pandavas from the Mahabharata.  It is believed that in these caves Pandavas spend some of their time during their hideout days in forest and offered prayers to God Shiva. The road to the caves provide a variety of glimpses of tribal villages and fort ruins.