Surat is one of the most prominent cities of Gujarat located at the western coast of the country India. It is the second largest city in Gujarat and 9th largest in the country. It is popularly known as the “Diamond city” because of the amount of world’s total diamond cutting and polishing that happens here. Moreover, it is also known as the “Textile Hub” as it is a commercial center for textiles. Apart from this it is known for its city planning which involves long flyovers. Surat is known for its famous surti street food too! If you are looking for good food, culture, heritage, some cool clothing stuff to buy then this is the list you need to have a look at!
This is a comprehensive list of all the things Surat is famous for.
1. Textile Market
Surat is known for its synthetic production. Approximately 30 million metres of raw fabric and around 25 million metres of processed fabric are produced in Surat each day. This city has textile markets that have existed since the time extending beyond the reach of memory. Producing textiles also includes Silk and the city is also known as the “Silk City” of India. It is very famous for its Surat Zari Craft and cotton mills. It has a total of 41,100 power loom units and a total of 381 printing and dyeing mills. The overall annual turnover Surat experiences is around 5 billion rupees. Surat is the largest clothes manufacturing city. Currently it is focusing on increasing the exports of its textile. Shopping is never complete without going to the textile market and getting yourself a silk or synthetic saree.
2. Gold and Diamond jewellery
Surat is the first city that comes to mind in the name of jewellery shopping. It is a major diamond polishing and cutting hub. Surat and Navsari were the first cities in Gujarat where Diamond workshops took place in the late 1950s. The major population working in this industry are from Saurashtra region of Gujarat.
The diamond industry in this city has grown tremendously. At present major diamond polishing workshops are run in Varachha area and mostly by the people of Patel community. 8 out of 10 diamonds across the globe are cut and polished in Surat. Coming to the streets of Surat you will find various gold shops selling diamonds or jewelry. Some of the popular shops include Charu Jewels, Diam Jewels, Hira panna Shopping Mall, Ratnasagar Jewelers and Hardeep Jewelers.
3. Dumas Beach
Dumas beach is located 21 kms southwest of the city of Surat. It is one of the most popular tourist destinations in South Gujarat. It is a great place to hangout at all times of day. Dumas is popularly known for two reasons. One, for its black sand and other because it is haunted. It is said that it was once used as a Hindu burial site and therefore the ashes have converted the white sand into black. The beach is beautiful to visit during daytime but it turns the other way round during night. There have been popular stories of people who challenged this haunted beach by staying overnight and the outcome was either they never returned or even if they did the experiences were the worst to share. The beach definitely gives eerie feels. This place attracts a lot of locals and tourists but they leave the place by evening for better good. There’s also a hindu Ganesha temple alongside the main beach and multiple stalls selling local food.
4. Cleanliness
Surat stands at the second position for being the cleanest city of the country India. There is a story to this achievement and it all started in 1994 when rise in population and rapid urbanisation in Surat led to the growth in slum areas, increment in garbage levels and overflowing drains. This led to an outbreak of a disease called plague. Civilians and municipalities both had their fingers pointed in the opposite direction blaming each other. But what amazed everyone was that within the time span of 18 months the city drastically changed itself from a dirty, garbage strewn city to one of the cleanest cities of the country. All this was possible majorly because of Surat Municipal Corporation and the participation of the community which led in the rapid implementation of choices made by the corporation. It is a proud moment for Surtis that they have made this position of keeping Surat as the cleanest city for two decades now.
5. Handicrafts
Apart from Textile and Diamond hub Surat is notable for its specialty and crafted works. They offer various sorts and assortments of high quality expressions and specialties which have their own taste and style. They have different assortment of wooden, minuscule, ivory and a lot more different kinds of handiworks ready for sale. For wooden things at reasonable costs, Government Emporium is one of the spots to visit. For collectibles or beautifying things, Shanivari Market close to Makai Pul is one of the biggest flea markets of the city. Now a lot of people are taking an interest in art and artifacts. Both antique and handicrafts have become a matter of interest among people to go for modern contemporary handicrafts for the interior of their homes. Though there are not many places where you can find both contemporary and antique artifacts, the places where you find these will blow your mind. These antique rare art pieces can be found in many old homes of Surat.
6. Unique street food
Gujararti cuisine is extremely delicious and is highly popular. There are several stellar street food items ranging from Locho to Khaman and Khamani. The combination of Jalebi and Fafda that these Suratis have made is just next level treat to our tongues. During the winters in Gujarat you can find stalls of Ponk vadas and multiple types of flavored sev with it. Suratis stay by their words when it comes to this quote “Kashi nu maran ane Surti nu jaman” which literally means “die in Kashi and dine in Surat” for a soul-stirring and peaceful salvation.
One another famous dish which you may not find on street stalls but is fondly made in household during the festival of kite flying is “Undhiyo” which is known as traditional vegetable casserole of Surat. It is made with an assortment of eight different veggies. The making of this is not easy and requires ample amounts of hard work as all the vegetables used are tossed and stored upside down in earthwarens. This is a recipe that has passed on from generation to generation and is something that can definitely make you lick your finger. Surat is a place which never ceases to impress its visitors with alluring food.
7. Dutch garden
One of the most popular tourist sites is Dutch Garden which is located in the Nanpura area in Surat. Apart from beauty, this garden holds a lot of history behind it that fascinates as well as refreshes the busy city localite. Dutch garden has been designed in a European style. It is a very well planned and well maintained garden and gives a spectacular recreational space to both locals as well as tourists. This beautiful place is used for morning and evening walks, to enjoy get togethers or just stroll by peacefully and have some quiet time alone with oneself in the serenity of the environment. Tapi river that flows at one side of the park adds up to the beauty of the park and helps the visitors unwind and feel good.
Certain English and Dutch explorers took their last breath in Surat and therefore this garden is the resting place for them. Baron Adrian Van Reed is believed to have established the first Dutch port for trading in Surat and his mausoleum is the most remarkable here.
8. Jagdish Chandra Bose Aquarium
Jagdish Chandra Bose Aquarium also known as the Surat Aquarium is located near Pal region of Surat and was inaugurated on 1st March 2014 by the now Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It occupies 25,722 sq. meter space and costs around 20 Crore Indian Rupees. It is one of the best tourist attractions and has more than one hundred species of aquatic creatures. The aquarium has 52 specially created tanks, each having its own ecosystem which showcases the overwhelming beauty of underwater life. The aqua life would include – turtles, American lobster, snowflake eel, lionfish, alligator gar, stingrays, cichlid, man-eater piranhas, ghost fish, and so on. Many small fish and sharks are kept in the large tank. It has world class infrastructure and is definitely one of a kind in India. Although a place that can be visited by all age groups it is more likely to fascinate children.
9. Temples
Surat has many religious places of significance. The Ambika Niketan, Isckon Temple are the ones that come to mind when we talk about it. The latter one is spread over 13,600 sq. feet . The Chintamani Jain Temple is yet another temple that adds up in the list. It was built in 1699 AD during the rule of Aurangzeb and is one of the oldest Jain temples in Surat. It looks very simple from outside but astonishes its visitors with beautifully carved designs on the wood. Natural vegetable colours have been used in the paintings that are on the ceiling. It is a very clean, peaceful and well maintained temple with a meditative and historic feel to it. Ambika Niketan Temple was built in the year 1969 and stands by the side of river Tapi. The idol of goddess Ambika is spectacular with its eight hands each with a different significance. At the time of Navratri, the temple assumes a very special look.
10. Science Centre
Built in 2009, Science center is a multi-facility complex in Surat. Apart from Science and technology space this large complex also has an art gallery, a museum, an amphi-theatre, a planetarium and an auditorium. It is a meeting ground for science enthusiasts, students, technology and history. It has a solar power plant on the roof which produces a massive 1.14 KW of power.
The Science Centre has a 3D theatre, diamond gallery. Sardar Patel Museum seeks to preserve history and culture. It takes care of the heritage of Surat and is the best place to know Surat’s rich past. The planetarium is of a shape of sphere with a diameter of 16.3 metres and all the projections of moon, planets and nebula are made on the ceiling making it a surreal experience. The amphi-theatre has a circular shape and can seat 250 people wherein throughout the year small concerts and cultural programs take place. The auditorium serves the purpose of meetings, lectures and seminars with a seating capacity of 260. There is also an exclusive art gallery for organising art exhibitions.
