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SuratSurat is a port city in the Indian state of Gujarat and administrative headquarters of the Surat District. As of 2006, Surat and its metropolitan area had a population of approximately 4.9 million. It is the second largest city in Gujarat and ninth largest in India. The city is situated on the left bank of the Tapti River, 14 miles from its mouth. A moat indicates the dividing-line between the old city, with its narrow streets and handsome houses, and the newer suburbs, but the city wall has almost disappeared. The city is largely recognized for its textile and diamond businesses. 92% of the world's diamonds are cut and polished in Surat, thus it has been called the "Diamond capital of the world". 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. more... Location: Situated in the state of Gujarat, lying to the western part of India.Land Area: 112.27 km² State: Gujarat Population: 15.5 lakh Distance: 33 km from Ahmedabad Language: Gujarati, Hindi and English. Rainfall: 931.9 mm Relative Humidity: 76.6% Religion: Hinduism, Christianity, Islam Best Buys: Diamond. Best Hangouts: Sabarmati Ashram History of SuratLocal traditions fix the establishment of the modern city in the last years of the fifteenth century, and in 1514 the Portuguese traveller Duarte Barbosa described it as an important seaport, frequented by many ships from Malabar and all parts of the world. There still is an irregular picturesque fortress on the banks of the river built in 1540. One particular village in the suburbs of Surat is Barbodhan Village, possibly named after the explorer Duarte Barbosa (it derives from "Bab-ul-Aden"—Doorway to Aden, Yemen—where it has strong cultural and trading links). Surat eclipsed Cambay as the major port of western India, as Cambay's harbour had begun to silt up by the end of fifteenth century. Subsequently during the reigns of Mughal emperors Akbar, Jahangir and Shah Jahan it rose to be the chief commercial city of India. An Imperial mint was established at Surat during that time. As the major port on the western seaboard of that time, Surat also served as the sailing port for the Hajj to Mecca. At the end of the 16th century the Portuguese were undisputed masters of the Surat sea trade. In 1608, ships from the British East India Company started docking in Surat, which was established as a trade transit point. In 1612, the British Captain best, and after him Captain Downton, destroyed the Portuguese naval supremacy and obtained an imperial fir man establishing a British factory at Surat following the Battle of Swally. The city was made the seat of a presidency under the British East India Company after the great success of the embassy of Sir Thomas Roe to the court of emperor Jehangir. The Dutch also founded a factory. more... Overview of Surat's Economy Tele-Density: 2695.43 per cent Also Read: A Brief insight in The Economy of Surat | Fairs and Festivals in Surat | Places to stay in Surat | Tourism of Surat | Demographics of Surat | Culture of Surat | Media in Surat | Facts for TravellersVisa: The Citizens of all countries need to have a valid passport and an entry, transit or tourist visa obtained from the Indian Mission in their country. more...
Time Zone: IST (UTC+5:30) STD Code: 079 Altitude: 317 meters Longitude: 72.83° East Latitude: 21.17° North Geography and climate of SuratSurat is a port city situated on the banks of the Tapti River (though the port has disappeared because of the damming of the river Tapti, the nearest port is now in Hazira which falls in the metropolitan area of Surat). The city is located at 21.17° N 72.83° E. It has an average elevation of 13 meters (42 feet). The Surat district is surrounded by Bharuch, Narmada (North), Navsari and Dang (South) districts. To the west is the Gulf of Cambay. The climate is tropical and the monsoon is abundant (about 2500 mm a year). more... Shopping in SuratSince long past Surat, in Gujarat, has the reputation of a key trading center in Western India. During the reign of the Mughals, Surat was an important port on the western coast. Mercantile and commercial traditions still continue in the land. The land also has a rich tradition of handlooms and handicrafts, which make for fantastic shopping in Surat. It is of course one of the most important zari-manufacturing centre in India. Fine gold and silver threads used in zari work are made in hundreds of big and small workshops in Surat. Do pick up a few lustrous Indian garments embellished with the exquisite works of Zari, kinari, salma, while shopping in Surat. Woodworks are also popular items for shopping in Surat. The skilled artisans of Surat carve out table lamps, side tables, boxes and various other utilities and objets d'art, which serve as fantastic souvenirs. Sadeli or marquetry work is yet another specialty at Surat. Long, thin strips of wood, tin or ivory are cut and pasted in patterns on boxes and caskets to create appliquéd goods. Surat also has a rich tradition of silver work. A few items easily found in the local bazaars should feature in our shopping cart in Surat. more... Also Read: Places of Intersted in Surat | Getting to Surat | Transport in Surat | Dining and Entertainment in Surat | Education in Surat | Sports in Surat | Bikaner is a beautiful city located on the edge of Thar Desert, in the Northern Rajasthan. It is famous for the old Havelies and world’s largest Camel Research Farm. The city was founded by Bika in 1486 AD; he was the son of Rao Jodha. It is also know as camel country and famous for [...]
Fire Dance of Bikaner
Bikaner is also famous for its rich cultural heritage of folk-lore, folk music & dance packed with fun, frolic, excitement and rituals. A unique attraction is the fire dance performed by the members of natt sect. The dancers possessed of some holy spirit, jump on live coals, sit on them and take [...]
Laxmi Nath Temple: Lakshmi Nath Temple is one of the oldest temples of Bikaner. The foundation of Bikaner was laid here in the year 1488 A.D. by Rao Bikaji. It being a historical monument has special identity. This temple was erected during the reign of Rao Lunkaran and boasts of the superb archeological skills of [...]
Bikaner is a historic city, which should be interesting to travel to while you are in Rajasthan. The history of Bikaner reveals that the fortified city of Bikaner dates back to the 15 th century.
The tourist attractions in Bikaner are the forts and palaces of this historic city. The must see places in Bikaner are [...]
Bikaner economy has a multi-faceted character that is dependent on several key external forces. Agriculture in Bikaner is a primary sector of the economy and contributes largely to the city’s net revenue. Agriculture also happens to be a means of subsistence of the majority of Bikaner’s populace. Water is a major area of concern in [...]
This fortified city is a tourist heaven with so much to offer to tourists of all tastes. Speaking of tastes, Bikaner is exhaustively popular for its’ unique sweets and “Bikaji Bhujia”. Bikaner cooking style has a special flavor and is influenced by the war-like lifestyles of its inhabitants. The food hence evolved through generations only [...]
Celebrate radiant Rajasthan with festivals in Bikaner. Multi-hued customs and enchanting ritualistic practices enamor you into a pleasurable state as you tour the festivals in Bikaner, Rajasthan, India.
A brilliant mosaic of ancient traditions, festivals in Bikaner bring to fore the enchanting past and heartwarming legends associated with religious occasions. See locals performing religious rites [...]
Shopping in Bikaner is synonymous with shopping for exquisite crafts in a rustic desert paradise.
A flourishing world of camel leather shoes, camel leather chairs, camel fur rugs, camel leather belts, bags, miniature paintings on camel hides, beaded and sequined gorbandhs, lac bangles etc. envelops you in a glorious desert aura.
A grand way to [...]
Bikaner has a fairly wide selection of hotel accommodation to choose from – deluxe, standard, budget and paying guest. The most luxurious and well appointed is the heritage hotel, a converted palace belonging to the erstwhile maharaja. The RTDC also has its own tourist hotels and bungalows for the middle segment and the budget traveller. [...]
Bikaner has an extreme desert type climate with a big variation in day and night temperatures. In the summers, high day temperatures that can soar upwards of 46°C are tempered by cool evenings and nights when temperatures drop to 36°C. Summer months are made worse by hot winds and dust storms that seem to carry [...]
Travel Chronicle: Asia Destination GuideTourist Attractions of Nagaland Kohima The state capital, Kohima, is located on National Highway No.39, at less than three hours drive from... Festivals in Margao Shigmotsav or Shigmo: This is a grand five-day festival of colours, celebrated distinctively in the villages, corresponding with Holi or... Bastar (Chhattisgarh) Bastar, the land of tribes and natural resources, is the largest tribal district of the newly formed Indian state of... |
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