Friday, 1 April 2011

Surat's great life


Overbridges in the Surat



Sardar bridge



Varachha Flyover


majura gate multi level flyover junction



Varachha Flyover



At majura gate flyover


Ring road flyover


Paal overbridge

Night view of overbridge


Parle point flyover


Ring road textile market


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.
 
Surat circuit consists of the old historic city of Surat, India's ancient trading centre. Since long traders from across the seven seas had links with this region. The Saputara and the Dangs regions are filled with tribal villages where you can witness the lifestyle, traditions of the indigenous people living the life their ancestors lived years ago.

THE TEXTILE CITY: Since the earliest times, the ancient port 
of Surat has been renowned for its fine silks and exquisite brocades and its trade in spices. Surat has been one of the most prosperous of India's cities in the 17th and 18th century. Surat, the city of commerce was an important port that first attracted the Europeans to the riches of India.

The East India Company established its first warehouses in Surat in 1612. And it was at Surat that Sir Thomas Roe landed when he came as King James' ambassador to the court of Emperor Jehangir. In Mughal times, Surat was the main port from which pilgrims sailed to Mecca.

Even today, Surat is a premier industrial city of India. It is a city of riches, of gems and diamonds. Times may have changed but Surat remains and continues to grow.

Surat was founded by Parsi refugees in the 12th century, and it emerged as a minor trading post during the 1500s when it was plundered and razed numerous times by the Portuguese. In 1592, after a protracted siege, the town fell to Akbar, under whose patronage, it became one of India's most prosperous mercantile capitals, as well as a key transit point for Muslims heading to Mecca.





Surat  Sightseeing




The Old Fort: Built by Mohammad Tughlak in the 14th century, as a defence
fortification against the Bhils.

The Textile Market: Surat's vast and active textile market testifies its 

importance in the textile trade even today.

Dumas: A seaside health resort 16 kms from Surat.

Hajira: It is situated 28 kms from Surat. The pleasant Hajira Beach is fringed

by feathery 'Casurina' trees and has a comfortable holiday home for visitors.

Dandi: Situated on the coastline and well known as a salt centre, Dandi has

acquired a name in history after the famous 'Dandi March Salt Satyagraha'
launched by Gandhiji in March, 1930 AD.

While overtly the Dandi march purported to protest against the hateful Salt

Tax levied by the British, the underlying purpose was to kindle the spark of 
Civil Disobedience and thereby attain independence.

On a warm April morning in 1930, Gandhi and his 78 followers marched 241

miles to Dandi and formally breached the Salt Law, an act that would go 
down in the annals of history as the first salvo to be fired against the 
British Empire.


Surat  Excursion




Ubharat: It is situated 42 kms from Surat. Ubharat is known for a fine,
sandy beach with a backdrop of shady palm groves.

Tithal: It is situated 108 kms from Surat and 5 kms from Valsad on the

Bombay Vadodara Western Railway. A beautiful sandy beach palm 
sheltered cottages is what you would get to see there.

Bardoli: It is situated 34 kms from Surat. Gandhiji had launched a 

farmers' movement known as the 'Bardoli Satyagrah' in 1921-22 under 
the leadership of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Swaraj Ashram at Bardoli 
has become a place of pilgrimage in India.

Ukai: It is situated 94 kms from Surat. A major multipurpose irrigation 

project of Gujarat, the storage of water at the dam site is almost as
large as that of Bhakra Nangal Dam in Punjab.

Bulsar: The Vansda National Park is situated in Bulsar District.

Wild animals such as leopards, tigers, panthers and wild boars are 
found here.
Get away for a retreat in lush green surroundings of the Saputara hills
or take a dip in the Gira falls at Waghai and Mahal. The Surat circuit is 
ideal if you are looking for a tranquil place to get away for a while.


Surat  Transport





Air: Various domestic airlines connecting Mumbai and Bhavnagar.

Rail: Surat is on the Mumbai - Delhi - Ahmedabad broad gauge line.

Road: State transport buses and private luxury coaches connects various centres of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Delhi and Rajasthan, Surat is 282 Kms from Mumbai 129 Kms from Vadodara & 230 Kms from Ahmedabad.

Local Transport: Tourist taxis, metered auto rickshaws and the city bus service are main modes for commuting.



Ahmedabad........ 230 km
Mumbai........... 256 km
Vadodara......... 129 km




Surat  Travel Essential
  •   Location:140 Kms From Vadodara, Gujarat.
  • Founded In: 12th century.
  • Main Attractions: Old Fort, Dandi.
  • Languages: Gujarati, Hindi, English.
  • STD COde:0261
Tourist Information Centre: Tourist Office, Gujarat Pravas Nigam Ltd, 1/847 
Athugar Street, Nanpura, near Kailash Restaurant, Surat.

Hospitals: Surat Trust Hospital, Athwa Lines; Adarsh Hospital Near St. Xavier's

School.

Post & Telegraph: Head Post Office, Mahidharpura; Central Telegraph Office,Mahidharpura.

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.
 
CLOTHING : Surat is a warm place. Cotton is best for most part of the year.
December to February light woollen wear is advisable.
LOCAL TRANSPORT IN Surat : Metropolitan Bus service, Cabs and Three
wheeler auto rickshaws.
A FEW GUJARATI WORDS FREQUENTLY USED : Kem cho? = How do you do?
Aao jo = farewell ; Bhen = term used to address a lady in Gujarati;
Bhai = term used to address a man in Gujarati; Naashto = snack/breakfast;
Paani = water; Jamvanu = food;
 
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.





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