Surat -Tourism

The history of Surat dates back to the time of Mahabharata. The city has its mention in the epic as well as in other ancient books. During the 13th century, it was also referred to as "Suryapur" by the Brahmin (Pundits). The prosperity of the modern Surat increased during the 16th century when European traders started coming in. The port of Surat became an extremely important and significant route for traders. The Portuguese and the British fought with each other to establish their dominance on the port. The great emperor Shivaji attacked the city several times, which eventually went into the hands of the British in 1613 and become the first English settlement in India. Surat also turned out as an important port and transit point for Mecca. Surat also took active participation in India's freedom movement and went through severe socio-political turmoil for many years before the Indian Independence.

Surat has a global location of North Latitude of 21°15' and East Longitude 72°52'. Situated on the bank of the Tapi River, it falls in South Gujarat. It is approachable from all corners of the country through airways, railways and roadways. The best time to visit Surat is between the months of October and March.

History of Surat- Thee modern port city of today boasts of a great historical and cultural heritage. The history of Surat takes us back to the epic age of Mahabharata and Ramayana. According to mythological beliefs, Lord Krishna stopped in the city while his journey from Mathura to Dwarka.

Surat of today has earned the reputation of an important industrial hub and commercial center of the country. A glimpse on the history of Surat will prove that the city has always been a great trading center. 

The great explorer Hiuen Tsang referred the Surat City as Sowrata and described it as a business town on the shore of Arabian Sea near Gujarat. The Brahmin Pundits of the thirteenth century called the city as 'Suryapur'. 

Surat reached the highest point of prosperity during the sixteenth century. The Surat Port was considered important by the European traders. The British and the Portuguese waged battles against each other to gain supreme control over the trading route. The French and the Dutch also arrived in the city with merchandising objectives. 

The great Maratha warrior Shivaji attacked the city several times to usurp its wealth. In the beginning of the nineteenth century, the British gained overall control over the city. Since then, the city witnessed plenty of movements and agitations against the English atrocities. It has contributed a lot to the freedom movement of the country. Surat reorganized itself after the independence and soon emerged as one of the significant cities in India.

Places to Visit in Surat- Surat tourist attractions have always drawn travelers from different parts of India. Tourists from other countries also come to the state of Gujarat to visit the tourist spots in Surat. The suitable time to visit the city of Surat in Gujarat is during the months of October to March. 

Tourists coming to Surat should not miss out the famous national park of Bulsar. One will get to see different species of wild animals over there. Tourists can also plan a day out in the beaches of Ubharat. It is a beautiful sea beach and attracts a number of tourists. There are many other sea beaches that are located near Surat. 

If on a tour to Surat, the travelers should take their time out to visit the historical locations in Surat. They can also visit the museums and parks located in the city. At the end of the day, tourists can pay a visit to the markets of Surat. 

Surat used to be an important sea port in India. Trade and commerce was carried on through this port. The city is located in the district of Valsad. In the recent years, this city of Gujarat has developed into a major industrial center of India. 

To visit Surat Tourist Attractions, one can access flights that operate from other major cities of the country to Surat. The tourists can also access railway service to reach Surat. Bus services are available from major cities of India. Once in Surat, the tourists can avail of accommodation in the hotels. While staying in the hotel, they can plan excursions in and around the city of Surat. 

Tourist Places to See in Surat

Dumas- Dumas is one of the most visited tourist spots in Surat. Dumas is situated at a distance of 16 kilometres from the city of Surat. This place is a popular tourist attraction in Surat. The tourists coming from outside Gujarat can take accommodation in this beautiful place to relax and at the same time take care of their health.

Bardoli- Bardoli has acquired an important place in the history of India. Bardoli is located at a distance of 34 kilometre from the city of Surat in Gujarat. Tourists and followers of Gandhiji visit this place often.

Bulsar- Bulsar is one of the tourist attractions in Surat in Gujarat. This tourist spot is located very near to Surat. Tourists from different parts of the country as well as nature lovers visit Bulsar. During the months of October to March, it is an ideal time to visit the tourist spots in Surat. 

Udvada- Udvada in Surat is one of the tourist attractions of this city in Gujarat. It is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Surat. This place is mainly visited by the Parsi communities from different parts of India. Udvada is considered to be a very holy place by the Parsis. It is believed that the holy fire of the Parsi community is kept in Udvada.

The Old Fort- The Old Fort is one of the popular tourist attractions in Surat. This fort of Surat has close association with the history of India. In the 14th century, the Old Fort has been constructed. Muhammed Tughlak, the then ruler took the initiative to build this fort in Surat. 

Dutch Gardens- Surat is a bustling port city sited in the state of Gujarat. A forerunner of India's industrial enterprises, Surat is shrouded in history and myriads of reference of its former efflorescence can be found in the chronicles of the Mahabarata, the annals of the foreign travelers and the British and Dutch colonial powers. A beautiful relic of Surat's glorious past are the magnificent and sprawling Dutch Gardens. 

Rangupavan- The bustling Surat city, the administrative headquarters of its namesake district in the state of Gujarat is the forerunner of industrial enterprise. The city's is famed for being the second largest city of Gujarat as well as being the ninth largest in the Indian subcontinent. Surat city's claim to fame rests in the Rangupavan arena, the largest in the country. 

Vansada National Park- Gujarat is a state which abounds in the beauties of nature. The Vansada National Park is one such protected area which is rich in the bounties of Nature. Vansada was, previously, a princely state in the south of Gujarat. The town, of the same name, is surrounded by dense thickets and copses of Bamboo. Bamboo is known as 'vans' in the local Gujarati dialect. Hence, the nomenclature of this town and region is derived from these bamboo groves. 

Hajira- The Hajira is one of the prime Surat tourist attractions and is a popular hangout for the tourists and the local people alike. The beach is situated at a distance of 28 kilometres from the city of Surat in the Indian state of Gujarat. The shallow water of the beach is a proposed site for an all weather cargo port in the state of Gujarat. 

Sardar Patel Museum- The Sardar Patel Museum was established in the city of Surat in the year 1890 and has since then maintained the premier position among the Surat tourist attractions. The museum is a multi purpose museum that remains open on all days of the week barring Mondays. The museum also remains closed on the gazetted holidays declared by the Surat municipal corporation. 

Dandi in Surat- Situated at a distance of 5 kilometres from the heart of the city, Dandi in Surat is a center for the production of salt and is of historical importance to all the Indians. Owing to its significance in the history of Indian Independence struggle, the region has become one of the chief Surat tourist attractions.

Textile Market in Surat- The textile market in Surat is reputed as possessing the best-embroidered products of silk and brocade. The traditional market of the region gets its supplies from the textile industry that is situated in the city of Surat. The industry is engaged in the production of yarn and in weaving and embroidering the textile goods. With its wide variety of embroidered saris, the textile market of Surat is become one of the popular Surat tourist attractions.

How to Reach Surat- urat is one of the oldest cities in Gujarat. It attracts a lot of tourist by virtue of its glorious past. There are many tourist attractions in Surat and the place bears the hallowed memory of Mahatma Gandhi. Surat has also been an important center for trading since a long time. The city is strategically situated on the southern bank of the River Tapti about 20 km from the Arabian Sea and 283 km south of Gandhinagar, the capital of Gujarat.

By Air- The Surat Airport is a domestic airport and is situated around 12 km from the city centre. The airport caters to flights from major cities in India. The airport also has a flying training school. Flights to Surat.

By Rail- The nearest railway station is in Surat 4 Kms from Surat.The Surat Railway Station is located in the city centre. Many important trains service the railway station regularly, connecting it with major cities in Gujarat and neighboring states. 

The station comes under the Western Railway zone of the Indian Railways. The Surat Railway Station is one of a kind in India. Its railway platform is on the first floor of the station and the train reaches the platform by means of an inclined ramp. 

By Road- Surat is well connected by State Transport Buses & Private bus services.An extensive network of roads connects Surat to the important cities in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Delhi. Surat is connected with the National Highway Number 8 via a 16 km long connecting highway i.e. National Highway Number 6. The National Highway Number 228 also connects to Surat. The Golden Quadrilateral Highway system goes through Surat. 

Buses to Surat are available from major cities in Gujarat as well as neighboring the states. The main Surat bus stand is in the city centre. Buses, taxis and shared auto rickshaws are easily available in Surat.