Tomb of Khudawand Khan..

On the same Chakla Bazaar road leading onto Ved Road, one comes across this magnificient mausoleum where Khudawand Khan, Governor of Surat in 1546 lies buried.

Interesting facts about a much honoured Governor of Surat in 1546.

Yahoo Surat!!

What was once an area called "Chakla Bazaar" (The only official Redlight Area in Surat) is no more home to the oldest proffession on earth... In fact, it now houses myriad fashion garment stores... and this one took the cake.. Yahoo!!!

Goat Market...

Come Friday, and the lane behind Old Civil Hospital in Chowk area turns into a veritable "Goat Market" where people from the vicinity and indulge in Goat Trading (Sounds a mini version of the much maligned HorseTrading!!). Its a worthy sight seeing men holding onto a few Goats and bargaining with a worthy buyer

Mindbend..

"MINDBEND" and "SPARSH" ..Yearly Techno festival of SVNIT which also houses NIFT.... has become a major attraction amongst young budding engineers in Surat. For all surtis wanting to know all about it, log onto www.mindbend.in

SVNIT Festival

Surtis still refer to it as SVR College... though it changed to Sardar Vallabhbhai National Institute of Technology, a premier engineering college in Surat, known to attract the best of budding engineers from all over India.

Their yearly festival aptly called "Sparsh" is a 4 day event that attracts youngsters to get a dekko at the techno feats the students rustle up to showcase their talent.

Admin Wing of SVNIT.. Absolutely immaculate.

Innovative methods of advertising their festival is absolutely interesting!

Planetarium..

A splendid gift by the Surti Rotarians.. the Planetarium, which in its heyday was a great attraction for Surtis. Now closed, it used to be a great destination of the Surti Star Gazers!

Holi...

The festival of Holi brings to mind mythology about the end of all things evil... burnt to ashes! A "Before" and "After" set of pictures taken on Holi outside Icchanath Temple.

Colors on Gaurav Path...

A hot sultry dry afternoon on Gaurav Path.. The riot of colors was amazing!!

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.