Introduction to Dutch Garden, Surat :
The Dutch garden in Surat is fundamentally memorial parks of the officers who ever resided in Gujarat whilst on their commercial ventures. This patch of vibrant green has been enlarging periodically, under ensuing gardeners to its recent times. The appealing attribute of the English and Dutch cemeteries are their mammoth tombs which are remarkably imposing. They are the reminiscent of the glorious times of yesteryears of the Surat city. While exploring the comeliness of the Dutch Garden in Surat, you will stumble upon the tombs of George Oxenden and Christopher Oxenden, the two English business men held responsible for taking the charge of the English Factory in the city. Another eye catching tomb of Baron Adrian Van Reede, the director of the Dutch Company sticks out commandingly in the Dutch cemetery.
History of Dutch Garden, Surat :
History of the Dutch Garden is quite educational. It tells that in 1612, the British formed their operating industrial unit in Surat almost immediately to be pursued by the Dutch and French. But with the heavy consequence of the political and climatic setbacks and increasing importance of Mumbai, it became impossible for Surat to regain its lost dignity prominence. In 1852, Surat became the first municipality of Gujarat and reputation being a leading textile hub. Further numerous Englishmen and Dutch people decided to fix their grounds in Surat as an operating textile industry.
Description of Dutch Garden, Surat :
The description of the Dutch Garden Surat informs the vacationers that it has many Dutch, English and Armenian cemeteries in the region of the Kataragama Gate. It also has gigantic museums built in the commemoration of Baron Adrian Van Reede, who lost his life in 1691. Earl of Athlone or Godart van Ginkel named Godert de Ginkell was the first Dutch general in the service period of England. He belonged to a reputed family, and was honored with the title of Baron van Reede. While taking a saunter, you will surely like to proffer sacred prayers to this highly revered man and to the souls of the others lying in peace and rest in the cemetery ground. Another delightful edifice seems to be a major crowd puller is the historically unique port from where the ships or vessels navigated to various parts of the world.
Last but not the least, the Anglican Church and the old English factory positioned in the close propinquity to the Dutch Garden Surat make the spot worth exploring.
Culture and festivals :
Surat is well known in India for its Surti cuisine, which includes perennial favorites such as Surti Ghari (a type of mithai), Locho, Surti Undhiyu, Rasaawala Khaman, Cold coco and Surti Chinese. Surti cuisine is not as sweet as other Gujarati food, and is quite spicy.
Roadside kiosks, called “laaris” or “rekdis”, are popular. In the cooler winter months, Suratis converge at river Tapi’s banks to eat Ponk, a roasted cereal that is available only in this part of the world.
All major Indian festivals are celebrated in Surat. Navratri,Diwali and Ganesh Chaturthi are celebrated with great enthusiasm. The kite-flying festival of Utraan which falls on Makar Sankranti-14th January is very popular in the city. It is also well known for the celebration of Chandi Padvo which usually occurs around October and is a holiday unique to Surat. This day comes after one of the two biggest full moon days of the Hindu calendar year, “Sharad Purnima”. On this day, Surtis buy almost 100 tons of Ghari and other Surti delicacies, then head to the city’s seaside beach area, Dumas where they have dinner and a late night snack under the full moonlit sky.
Best Time to Visit Surat:
The climate of Surat is mild due to its nearness to the Arabian Sea. There is not much change in the winter and summer temperature, which ranges between 10°C to 38°C. Although one can visit Surat in any season, the best time to do so would be between October and March.
How to reach Surat:
BY AIR – Surat does not have an airport. Baroda, situated around 140 km from Surat, is the nearest airport.
BY RAIL – Surat is an important railway station on Western Railway’s network and is connected to all parts of the country.
BY ROAD – The National Highway 8 connects Surat to all parts of Gujarat. The distances to some important centers from Surat are Ahmedabad, 267 km; Baroda, 140 km; Mumbai, 326 km; Bhavnagar, 422 km; Okhla, 706 km; Junagarh, 550 km; Jamnagar, 531 km; Bhuj, 619 km; and Palanpur, 434 km.