Important Information about Surat

Summers in Surat wouldn’t be the nightmare they are if it weren’t for the blood-curdling levels of humidity in the air. Just as the monsoon starts to rear its head into the picture, our favourite uninvited guests decide to pay a visit, bringing along wonderful gifts like malaria and dengue. On a more serious note, mosquito nets can be a literal life-saver in Surat. Make sure to carry enough mosquito repellant that your whole wing can be covered in cases of emergencies. Needless to say, Surat also sees a fair amount of rain throughout the year. Winters should pass by like a breeze if you are already a master of taking cold showers.

You can easily get around the city in the local rickshaws and if your destination is covered by the Bus Rapid Transport System (BRTS), you are in luck. With a station right outside the campus, BRTS is usually the cheapest mode of transport available, with ticket fares ranging from around 5-15 rupees per person. There is also a zero-cost alternative that comes at the expense of your legs hurting the next day. To get out of the city, you can use the Surat Railway Station (10 km away from campus) or the Surat Airport (9 km away).

Pack your bags and get ready to tour the iconic landmarks of City of the Sun. From intricatelydesigned places of worship like Chintamani Jain Temple and Ambika Niketan Temple to culturally-rich historical sites like the Old Fort and Dutch Gardens, Surat has it all. Take a trip to the Surat Castle to witness Khudawand Khan’s might, or visit the Sardar Patel Museum to learn about the life of this remarkable man. Within Zampa Bazaar are many craft and textile shops and the famous 80-meter Surat Clock Tower. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can even try entering the supposedly haunted Dumas Beach or the less-haunted but risky Suvali beach. Other amazing places to visit are the Science Centre, Jagdishchandra Bose Municipal Aquarium, and Chauta Bazaar.

Surat, often known as Gujarat’s textile capital, offers high-quality, finely-crafted sarees in a variety of styles. Shopping isn’t complete without purchasing a saree from the Bombay Market. Street food is a beloved element of any city, and a cultured city like Surat offers an endless selection of tasty snacks. There are numerous street food options to choose from, including locho, aloo puri, farsan, ghari, ponk vadas, undhiyu, and fafda. Surat is famous for its diamond industry. The craftsmen here have perfected the art of cutting and polishing diamonds. You can find many shops offering diamonds or jewellery as you roam the streets of Surat. Surat is one of India’s cleanest cities despite being one of the most populous cities in Gujarat, largely due to the active efforts of Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC).