Tradition of seafood and cholai vegetable in Surat's New Year celebrations

The unique culinary traditions of the city are evident in the New Year celebrations in Surat. According to a report by Sandesh, on the day of Besu Vart, Suratis mark the auspicious occasion by enjoying seafood. This tradition has been preserved for years not only in lower Surat but also in coastal villages such as Dumas, Magdalla, Morbhagva, and Olpad. For Suratis, consuming seafood is not merely a matter of taste, but a deep-rooted belief associated with good fortune.

Due to this tradition, planning for fish purchases begins during the Diwali festival itself. Many families stock up on fish two to three days in advance. On Monday, during Dhoka, heavy crowds of customers were seen in the seafood markets of Nanpura, Coatsfly Road, and Morabhagal. People purchase fish such as Paplet, Daro, Halvo, Cheliyu, and Sondhiyu, even while paying high prices. As Paplet is the most preferred delicacy, there is a special demand for it. In some families, there is also a unique custom of placing the Paplet on a machine's scale to mark the auspicious beginning.

On the other hand, among vegetarian families, there is a tradition of starting the New Year by preparing cholai vegetable and cholai bhajiyas. Thus, in Surat's New Year celebrations, people keep age-old traditions alive with seafood delicacies on one side and the aroma of cholai vegetable on the other. This culinary tradition has become a distinct identity of Surat.