Surat (Gujarati: સુરત Surat, Hindi: सूरत Sūrat), a bustling commercial city in South Gujarat, is a major gemstone centre with over 92% of the world's diamonds being cut here. On the banks of the Tapi River, Surat was a major port in medieval India as well as the early British colonial times till the formation of the city of Bombay (present-day Mumbai).
The origin of the name "Surat" (SU-ruht) is uncertain. According to a popular legend, Surat was built by a wealthy Hindu merchant named Gopi around the year 1500. As the story goes, the city initially had no name and was simply called "the new place". Gopi consulted with astrologers, who suggested the name "Suryapur", literally the "city of the Sun". Gopi sent a request to a sultan of Gujarat for this to be the name of the new city.
While the city has a local city bus system, the public transport needs of the city are met by privately operated auto rickshaws. A lot of road engineering projects have been completed, particularly the elevated roads, or flyovers in the diamond and textile districts of the city. This has significantly cut down on the commuting time for many commuters travelling to the diamond and textile districts. The Surat BRTS network has expanded rapidly. It has air conditioning. Check apps for schedule. The Surat Metro is under construction as of April 2026. Both lines are expected to be operational by December 2027.
Chintanamani Jain Temple. The Jain temple was constructed during the regime of Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb in 1699 AD. It is at Muglisara, near mausoleum of Mirjan Sami. It has not only religious importance but also establishes one of the best examples of wooden craftsmanship and drawing with vegetable dye of Gujarat. Though the temple is marked by its outward simplicity, the inner parts of temple is a treasury of art. City Science Centre. at City Light Road near Parle Point. Has a planetarium, science models, art gallery & museum (shifted from Chowk Sardar Patel Museum.) Diamond market.
1 Causeway. Visit for water sports. Causeway is a low level check dam build on the River Tapi. Water sports facility is available in the upstream water. People flock to this place on weekend and winters. Visitors also include migratory birds such as gulls and terns. Usually closed for visitors during the monsoon (July to September). (updated Feb 2017) Watch a Bollywood or Hollywood film at several Multiplexes such as: Cinépolis at Imperial Mall Cityplus INOX at VR Mall PVR at Rahulraj Mall Rajhans Cinema Valentine Multiplex Ambika Niketan Temple - Ambika Niketan Temple is one of the popular pilgrim spots in Surat.
Some special and unique dishes of Surat include Locho, Surti Undhiyu, Rasawala Khaman, Cold coco and Surti Ghari. Many of the popular types of food of the state of Gujarat originated in this region. Surti cuisine is not as sweet as the stereotypical Gujarati food, but rather on the spicier side. Come winter and Suratis will emerge at River Tapi's banks to eat Ponk. Ponk is a unique roasted millet. Surat is also known for its celebrations of Chandi Padvo usually which usually comes around October. This is the biggest full moon day of the Hindu calendar year.
Alcohol is banned in Gujarat. Only foreign tourists and people with drinking licences can purchase liquor. However, the people of Surat are fun-loving and tend to find alcohol in the city. There are some places in Surat such as Golvad, Dumas and Olpad where people can find alcohol more easily under the table from the bootlegger. It's easy for foreign tourists to obtain a liquor permit, but it is not advisable to look for liquor under table as the risk of getting adulterated liquor and suffering from severe health problems is high.
Surat is one of the safest city in India, and even travelling at night is not a matter for concern, as the city night life is such that people don't interfere much with other. Everybody is busy with their own friends and family; leave them alone, and you'll be fine.
Guide content from Wikivoyage contributors (CC BY-SA) — abridged; the full article has much more.
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In Aug, Surat typically sees ~30°C daytime highs and 28 rainy days.
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