Navsari

Jamsetji Tata, the person behind Tata Group and a major Parsi businessman from Navsari.

Navsari was originally known as "Navasarika", and was the capital of a vishya (an administrative unit) in the Lata region.[3][4] It is identified with "Nusaripa", a city mentioned in Ptolemy's 2nd century Greek-language work Geography.[5]

The Chalukyas of Navasarika, who governed the area around Navsari as subordinates of the Chalukyas of Vatapi, repulsed an Umayyad invasion of the area in 738-739 CE.[6]

According to the Parsi tradition, in 1142 A.D., when they first came to Navsari, the city was named Nag Mandal. The Parsis found the city's atmosphere similar to that of the Sari region of Iran. In the Persian language, "now" means new, and "Sari" refers to the region in Iran, hence the name Naoo Sari. Two families of Parsi Zoroastrian priests settled in Navsari in the early 13th century, and the town soon emerged as the main center of the Parsi priesthood and religious authority. As the Parsi community grew at other places in India, the priests from Navsari were sought by the new Parsi settlements throughout the country. It is the home of the Bhagarsath Atash Behram established in 1765, which is now a World Heritage Site. Surat replaced Navsari as the principal settlement of the Parsi community in the 18th century, following its rise as a major trade center for the European factories, and the Maratha incursions into Surat; Surat itself lost this position to Bombay in the later years.[7]

Navsari is located at 20.95°N 72.93°E / 20.95; 72.93. It has an average elevation of 9 metres or 30 feet above sea level. The city is located in southern Gujarat and is situated near the Purna River, within a few kilometers of the river's delta, which is west of the city and empties into the Gulf of Khambhat. The weather in Navsari is sunny from October to May, and rainy from June to September. The average maximum and minimum temperatures are 42 °C (107.6 °F) and 17 °C (62.6 °F) respectively. The average annual rainfall is 122 cm (48 in).

The city's first settlers were the Chalukyas, followed by the Rashtrakutas, and subsequent settlements by the Parsis.

According to the 2011 census,[1][8] Navsari had a population of 171,109. Males constituted 52% of the population and females 48%. Navsari had an average literacy rate of 88%, higher than the national average of 74%: male literacy was 92%, and female literacy was 84%. 10% of the population was under 6 years of age.

Gujarati is the main language spoken in Navsari. The other languages spoken are Hindi & English.

The Sayaji Vaibhav Public Library Navsari is an important public building in Navsari.

The Meherjirana library.

This is one of the oldest libraries in the South Gujarat Region. It was established by the first Dastur (Parsi/Zoroastrian priest) Meherji Rana, who was also born in Navsari. He was invited by Akbar in a religious program organized by the Great Akbar. Leaders of all religious groups participated in it. Akbar asked to start a conversation and eventually asked to give information about their religion. All the religious leaders gave information about their religions and gradually tried to show their religions as great except Dastur Meherjirana. Afterward, the leaders asked Akbar his opinion as to whose religion is great. Akbar was really impressed by Dastur Meherjirana, so he asked him. Meherjirana Dastur calmly replied, "All religions are equal in terms of strength and ideology and principle". Akbar was extremely impressed by his personality. He donated a piece of land to Dastur Meherjirana in Navsari, where today The Meherjirana Library stands. Akbar wrote on a scroll about the donation of land which is still preserved by the management of the library.

Dandi

The Dandi seashore is an important location from the point of view of India's Independence Movement. In 1930 Mahatma Gandhi started the "Dandi March" from Sabarmati Ashram up to the Dandi seashore to protest against a tax on salt by the colonial government.

Ajmalgadh

Though it is surrounded by high hills, this is a historical place. Zoroastrians/Parsis roamed in the forest and cave of Ajmalgadh to save and protect their sacred fire-cauldron for nearly 250–350 years. Recently, the local administration constructed a pillar on the hill of Ajmalgadh describing the story. They also closed the cave which was used to protect the holy fire.

The nearest domestic and international airport is Surat International Airport at Magdalla, Surat, 27 km. There are other two airports nearby, Vadodara Airport, 178 km north from the Navsari city & Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, 239 km south-west from Navsari city.

Navsari also lies on the Mumbai-Delhi railway link, one of the busiest railway routes in India.

Navsari is well connected by NH 64 also known as Sabarmati-Dandi Highway. NH 48 also passes through the city. Navsari is only 30 km south of Surat.

• The Dorabji Nanabhoy Mehta Sarvajanik Hospital
• K.D.N. Gohil Hospital[12]
• Daboo Hospital
• Rotary Eye Institute[13]
• Orange Hospital
• Yashfin Hospital
• Mulla Hospital
• Civil Hospital
• Kejal Hospital
• Dhruvini Nursing Home & Iccu
• MAA cancer Hospital
• Nirali cancer research hospital
• Ramaben Hospital
• Lions Hospital
• Shraddha Hospital
• Shushrusha Hospital
• Anand Hospital
• Parmar Hospital
• Unity Hospital
• Surbhi Hospital
• Maroliya hospital for women

• Dadabhai Naoroji, known as the "Grand Old Man of India", Member of Parliament (MP) in the House of Commons of the United Kingdom between 1892 and 1895
• Jeetan Patel (1980), New - Zealand international Cricketer of Indian Origin.
• Homai Vyarawalla (1913–2012), first woman photojournalist of India, Padma Vibushan[14]
• Ram Ganesh Gadkari (1885 - 1919), Marathi poet, playwright, and humorist
• Jamsetjee Jejeebhoy, merchant and philanthropist
• Meherji Rana, spiritual leader of the Parsi community in India
• Jamsetji Tata, founder of what would later become the Tata Group of companies, regarded as the "father of Indian industry"
• Kurush Deboo, Indian film actor, famous for Munnabhai M.B.B.S. was born in Navsari
• Ketan Mehta, Indian film director who has also directed documentaries and television serials
• Hiralal Jairam, cricketer[15]
• K. B. Desai, Indian independence activist, medical doctor, Navsari Congress leader and President of Navsari Municipal Council[16]
• Prakash K. Desai, Air Marshal of Indian Air Force[17]

• Official website of the Navsari Nagarpalika.
• Official website of the Navsari Collectorate (in Gujarati).