Millenium Market..

Millenium Textile Market.. launched at the turn of the millenium aptly designed for 2000 Textile Shops. This site was originally the Transporters Godown, which were then shifted to the outskirts, to avoid heavy traffic congestion on Ring Road.

Shivaji Maharaj & Sahara Darwaja...

Before the Ring Road Flyover was built, there was a major argument when Maharashtrians settled in Surat wanted to put up a statue of Shivaji Maharaj at the crossroads of Sahara Darwaja, which was one of the Gates to enter Surat when it was a walled city. Historians were livid, as they claimed Shivaji looted Surat (Which was then the richest in the region) several times when he wanted money to fund his wars against the Mughal Empire. Finally, as a truce, it was decided to put up a statue showing Shivaji on his horse facing away from the city, so it reminded all of him leaving..!!

Sahara Darwaja Junction as seen from the Ring Road Flyover. This road leads to Kadodara Char Rasta, and onwards to Bardoli.

Surti Republic Day...

Surti's patriotism shows up on 60th Republic Day..!! 2-3 days ahead you would find laaris with the Tricolor all over Tapi Town. Adds to the Surti zest of celebrating festivals, and patriotism with the same fervour.

Moharram..

Moharram... and images of the Tazia procession that winds its way through Kotsafil Road leading onto the Main Road.

Interesting Tazia created by small kids from tiny glass bottles.











The most awaited Tazia is the "Pari" which is kind of an angel with wings. I grew up in the heart of the city, and remember waiting to see this "Pari" and watch in amazement as the wings would flap slowly. That was 3 decades ago!

National Basketbhall Championships.

Indoor Stadium in Athwa Lines area was recently venue for a 5 day National Basketball Championships, where Surtis had tha chance to witness the Indian Masters of the game, including our very own Surti... Robinson!

Kite Themes..

Kites have traditionally kept pace with the changing times, and the topic of the season gets onto kites. If elections are round the corner, most parties would have kites with their symbols. The pride of place for Uttarayan 2009 was obvious... Tata Nano & Narendra Modi!

Kites of various sizes are flown... but the BIG ones are kept for the evening when a brisk wind blows. Anyone flying a BIG one would have the smaller ones aiming for it to cut... and then a loud shriek...."Kaaaypooo Chhheee"!!!

Uttarayan...

Pictures of Kite Shops at Bhagal area... a sight the true-blue Surti would have grownup with!!

The Shops start operating over a month before Uttarayan, and the strings (Maanja) gets prepared... all this leads upto a crescendo on 13th Jan night, when the entire Bhagal area becomes a sea of humanity all buying kites, manja, caps, sunglasses.. and post 9pm on 13th Jan.. kites are auctioned off, for next day is Uttarayan.