High Season : Oct - Mar
10 - 25℃
Low Season : Apr - Sep
25 - 45℃
Nearest Airport -STV
Surat
Nearest Train Stations -ST
Surat
History
Surat is one of the cleanest cities of India and is also known by several other names like "THE SILK CITY", “THE DIAMOND CITY”. The city of Surat has a glorious history that dates back to 300 BC. The origin of the city can be traced to the old Hindu town of Suryapur during 1500 – 1520 A.D., which was later colonized by the Brigus or the King from Sauvira on the banks of River Tapi. In 1759, The British rulers took their control from the Mughals till the beginning of the 20th century. The city is located on the River Tapi and has about a 6 km long coastal belt along the Arabian Sea. 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. Due to these reasons, the city emerged as an important trade center and enjoyed prosperity through sea trade in the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries. Surat became the most important trade link between India and many other countries and was at the height of prosperity till the rise of Bombay port in the 17th and 18th centuries. Surat was also a flourishing center for ship-building activities. After the rise of the port at Bombay, Surat faced a severe blow and its shipbuilding industry also declined. During the post-independence period, Surat has experienced considerable growth in industrial activities (especially textiles) along with trading activities.
Facts & Culture
Over the years, Surat has earned many honors such as "World Diamond Center", "Indian Embroidery Capital", "Indian Textile City", "Sun City" and "Flyover City". Due to its strategic position, it has become the western gate of India. Since ancient times, people of many races from all over the country have come to Surat, so this city has witnessed the fusion of many traditions and cultures. Surat is also known as the world's largest diamond manufacturing center, with more than 5,000 diamond manufacturing units, including the world's most advanced large-scale diamond cutting factory. 80% of the diamonds sold in the world are polished in Surat. The Surat Special Economic Zone has more than 100 publicly traded companies and is rapidly emerging as a leading jewelry production center. Modern Surat is known for its thriving textile trade, producing the famous silk brocade. Surat is known as the "Embroidery Capital of India" because it has the largest number of embroidery machines of any city in India. Surat today has earned the reputation of being an important industrial and commercial center of the country.
Surat has many things to keep tourists busy. The 16th century Surat Castle next to the Tapti Bridge is known as the oldest building in Surat. Other important attractions worth visiting during the Surat tour include Sardar Patel Museum, Dutch Garden, Ambika Niketan Temple, Mugal Sarai, Chintamani Jain Temple, Jagdishchandra Bose Aquarium, ISKCON Temple, and Satana Country garden. Surat is part of the coastline of Gujarat and has many clean and pristine beaches, as well as Ubarat Beach, Suvali Beach, and Dumas Beach.
