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European tombs
It is said that the competition between the Dutch and the British followed them even past death. They erected grand mausoleums instead of the normal tombstones in Europe, heavily influenced, ironically, by Hindu and Islamic elements belonging to the very natives to whom they were each trying to prove their superiority as colonizers. Next door to the British and Dutch cemeteries is the churchyard of the Armenians, another important trading community from the 16th century, whose tombstones are heavily inscribed, but forgo the superstructures of the other two communities.
 
The cemeteries have been declared as protected monuments, but they still show signs of deterioration, both from natural weathering and from human visitors. Photography is prohibited at the sites. They may be hard to locate, but you can ask the locals to guide you.




Parsi Agiari
This is the main Fire Temple of the city, with the sacred flame. There are also other less central temples around the city. Non-parsis are not allowed to enter, as in all Parsi fire temples.



Marjan Shami Roza
This mausoleum for Khwaja Safar Sulemanim, the Governor of Surat, was built by his son in 1540, with signs of Persian influence in the architecture.



Chintamani Jain temple
This temple, built under the reign of Emperor Aurangzeb at the end of the 17th century, has a deceivingly simple exterior, but is remarkably crafted from inside, the beautiful vegetable dye paintings covering the wooden pillars topped with carved brackets.



Mughalsarai
This sarai, or guest house, was constructed in mid 17th century under Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan for pilgrims en route to Mecca, and briefly served as a jail in 1857. The finely crafted archways and dome now stand over the Surat Municipal Corporation offices.



Chowk
The Chowk, or main square built after the 1837 fire which destroyed much of the city, is surrounded by colonial buildings such as an Anglican Church around 1895, Andrews Library of 1907 (open 9am-1pm and 3-7pm daily), and the Sir J. J. Training College of 1872.



Surat Castle
In 1540, Sultan Mahmud III had this castle built with extra strength for protection against Portugese raids. It is now filled with government offices, but you can go up to the top for a marvelous view of the city and Tapi river.



Sardar V Patel Museum and Planetarium
Also known as the Sardar Sangralaya, this museum was established in 1889, and the collection represents the rich history and eclectic ethnic mix of Surat. It also provides maps for travelers. Open from 9am-11:30am and 2:30pm-5pm every day except Sundays and public holidays.

The Planetarium runs a show on the universe, in Gujarati, from 11:15am -1:45pm, Wednesday-Saturday and from 2:45pm-5:45pm, Sunday and Tuesday. It is closed on Monday.



Vir Narmad Saraswati Mandir
Poet Vir Narmad (1833-86), author of  ‘Jai Jai Garvi Gujarat’ and some other famous Gujarati poems, lived in this quaint house built in 1866, now restored as a memorial. Narmad actively advocated a single national language, self-governance and created literary works that sparked off an era of social reform. During the freedom struggle, freedom fighters and artists used to gather here.

The Narmad library, further down in the south-west part of the city, has a large collection of books, including a sizable section for the blind. Open from 8:30am-1pm and 2:30pm-7pm daily.



Gopi Talav & Nav Sa’id Masjid
This lake is named after Gopi, credited with the rise of the city. Nav Sa’id Masjid is one of the four main mosques, along with Khudawand Masjid, Sayyid Idris Mosque, and Khwaja Diwan Sahib.



Rander and Jama Masjid
One of the oldest cities in South Gujarat, and the main city of the area before the center shifted to Surat, Rander lies across the causeway northeast of Surat. The 4-storey Jama Masjid, or Friday Mosque here was built in the 16th century reusing parts from the Jain temple that was on the site previously.


Textile markets
South of the Sahara Gate which opens on to Bardoli Road, the textile markets are packed with saris, salwar kameez, dress pieces, and a range of other polyester, silk, printed, and embroidered materials that Surat, once renowned for silk weaving and brocade, and is still famous for even after a history of setbacks in the textile industry.



Diamond Industry
Around the world, 8 out of 10 diamonds on the market were cut and polished in Surat. This industry earns India about 10 billion USD in annual exports. A legacy of old Dutch trade links, it began after a Surti entrepreneur returned from East Africa bringing diamond cutters. The rough diamonds themselves, however, come to Surat as rough crystals ripped out mainly from deep under the earth of South Africa and other regions of the continent, and go from here as smooth gems to Antwerp, Belgium where the international diamond trade is run mainly by Hasidic Jews and Jains from Palanpur in North Gujarat.

Inquire at the Tourist Office to arrange a visit to some of the diamond-cutting workshops tucked away in the city.



Bardoli

It is situated 34 kms. from Surat. This town saw the birth of the No-Tax movement, led by Sardar Patel, in protest of the British rule under which farmers barely had enough to feed their families, let alone to pay the exorbitant taxes. It was a precursor to the Namak Satyagraha, the Salt March. The Swaraj Ashram, garden, museum, and khadi workshops, are well worth a visit, as well as the Aitihasik Ambo, a mango tree under which Gandhiji famously declared that he would settle for nothing less than independent home-rule for India. Bardoli is accessible by ST (State Transport) buses.


Dandi
Here you reach the ocean, and the historic landmark where the Namak Satyagraha, also known as the Dandi March ended and India’s independence began when Mahatma Gandhi picked up a pinch of salt in protest of the British rule. Dandi is accessible by ST (State Transport) buses.


Sanjan
Sanjan is a small town in the Valsad District. It is situated just inside the Gujarat-Maharashtra border. Sanjan was one of the primary Parsi settlements in India. It is believed to have been found by Zoroastrian refugees, whose descendants are today known as the Parsis, who sought asylum in Gujarat after they were compelled to flee Iran. Sanjan Memorial Column was built in this town in 1917 to memorize the landing of the Parsis (Zoroastrians) in India. It is one of the holy places of Parsis.

Since February 2002, excavation work is in full swing in Sanjan. Among the ancient relics unearthed were human skeletons, coins, shards of pottery, beads and glasses. The site has also yielded the first definitive proof of Parsi (Zoroastrian) occupation at Sanjan in the form of a dokhma or Tower of Silence (a uniquely Zoroastrian mortuary structure). The excavations and explorations have also yielded interesting art historical data in the form of Hindu (probably Silahara Period) sculptural and structural remains.


Navsari
30 kms. South of Surat and on the bank of the river Purna, Navsari is now an important commercial centre. Historically, the first settlement of the Parsis took place in Navsari in 1142 AD. The sanitorium, fire-temple Atas Beharam and smaller agiaris, the Parsvanath Jain temple, the legendary dargah of Sayed Saadat are chief attractions. The pioneer of the Indian steel industry and the founder of the House of Tatas, Mr.Jamshedji Tata was born in Navsari. The house where he was born is well preserved and recommended for a visit.



Bilimora
It is about 25 km south of the district headquarter Navsari. In addition to having Parsi settlements, and the tasty bakery goods that are a natural consequence, it is also a center for the forest produce of Dang (the neighbouring district). It is an important railway junction for travel to Saputara. It is a minor port, and has some lovely sights by the river Ambika.


Udvada
Regarded exceedingly sacred by the Parsi and Zoroastrian community, Udvada is a coastal town near the city of Surat in the district of Valsad. It is renowned for the Zoroastrian Atash Bahram fire temple.  Udvava literally stands for `grazing ground of camels`, which was actually the town`s condition, prior to becoming a fishing village. The Udvada Beach and the Iranshah or the Atash Bahram fire temple are the chief attractions. Udvada is famous for Parsi food. You can try some great Parsi food in any local restaurant. You can especially treat yourself on Fried Boi(Mullet Fish), vin-daloo fish curry, sali margi or ghosht, Rava Sheera, Dhanshak, Macaroons and nan khatai.

 

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