SURAT – The Diamond City
Surat city, situated in the state of Gujarat, is a world famous city due to its gigantic textile and diamond industries. It is the richest city in India ahead of Bangalore and Madras having the highest per capita income in the country. Due to the vast business network, Surat is always busy with endless visitors because of which it has become one of the fastest growing tourist destinations of Gujarat.
Surat has many beautiful tourist attractions which one shouldn’t miss while visiting the city.
1. Dumas beach : Located 21 km southwest of the main city, Dumas is one of the most popular beaches among the Suratis. The youngsters love to hangout there in their free time and it serves as a picnic spot during the weekends for families. You get various traditional food delicacies there like pav bhaji, various kinds of Bhajiya, Gathiya and other similar dishes. It is more occupied during the monsoons where the locals like to drive in early in the morning to have hot Bhajiyas along with tea and enjoy the weather to the fullest.
2. Science centre : The amphi-theatre, planetarium, museum and the art gallery of the science theatre is the best haven for all the science and technology lovers out there. Located in City Light Town, it is a pleasant place to visit which also provides knowledge in addition to the enjoyment of discoveries many cool tech-related things.
3. Bardoli : Bardoli is the most historical place in the country as the famous Salt March during the British rule was started from this very place which later became famous as the ‘Bardoli Satyagraha’. It also has a beautiful beach worthy of a visit. Bradley is situated just 34 kms from the city and is the perfect place for sightseeing.
4. Chintamani Jain Temple : Chintamani Jain Temple makes the perfect destination for the religious tour of the city. Being built 400 years ago, it provides a great insight to the historical architecture of the city. It is considered to be one of the oldest Jain temples and holds great importance. It is visited by many Jainism followers from across the country.
5. Surat Castle : Built by the Gujarat’s Sultanate on the basis of Ferozkhan Tughlaq of the Delhi Sultanate, it is famously known as the ‘Old Fort’. The main purpose of the Fort was to safeguard the city from the Portuguese intruders and now it serves as the most popular historical monuments of the city.
Surat is also known for it famous and unique dishes of various kinds which you will find only in the city and nowhere else. A few of them include he famous Surati Locho which is a twisted version of gujarati khaman, undhiyo which is a dish prepared by assembling various seasonal vegetables, the all-time favourite sev khaman, tomato bhajiya, street side khichyu, ponk wada, cold choice, iced dish, Surti Khaja, fafda and aloo puri.
