Valsad, also known as Bulsar, is a city and a municipality in the Valsad district of the Indian state of Gujarat. Valsad has a collectorate, a district court, and a police headquarters with a historic prison. The city mayor governs the municipality of Valsad. The name `Valsad` derives from vad-saal, a Gujarati language composite meaning "hampered (saal) by banyan trees (vad)" (the area was naturally rich in banyan trees). The city center of Valsad is located about 10km inland from the Arabian Sea.
Valsad is an industrial city and boasts some of popular names such as Vapi (The Chemical Hub of Gujarat), Umbergaon & Sarigam (The Industrial Estates). The union territories of Daman and Dadra & Nagar Haveli, which are important tourist destinations, are located near Valsad. Valsad has got its milestone achievement in railways. Valsad Station was established in 1925 and the city has got Valsad Control Tower for better railway operation in range of hundreds of kilometers. The city has workshops for train as well as coach maintenance.
Tithal Beach of Valsad is a tourist attraction in the coastal region of Valsad, overlooking the Arabian Sea. The city has many tourist attractions including some grand temples like, Shri Sai Baba and Lord Shri Swami Narayan. The Indian government has invested in the development of the area, due to its popularity with local and foreign tourists alike. There are countless stalls and shops selling various kinds like Bajiya, Dabeli, Bhel Chat Coconut water and of souvenirs. There are numerous places to eat both indoors and outdoors with plenty of choice from a full meal to traditionally prepared snacks. There is also a vast play area for children, public toilets and hotels.
Valsad has a rail terminus for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad line and Mumbai-Delhi line of the Western Railway. Connected by the National Highway no. 8 (NH 8), Valsad lies about 210 km north of Mumbai and about 68 km south of the city of Surat. Valsad has got two technical colleges namely Govt. Polytechnic, and Govt. Engineering College. Studies like Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Plastic Department, Civil Engineering, Chemical Engineering and others are practised here.
Morarji Desai, the former Prime Minister of India, was from Valsad, as was also the Indian independence activist Bhulabhai Desai. The forefathers of British ruler Freddie Mercury (born Farrokh Bulsara) were from Valsad, as well as those of Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw. The Alphonso mango has virtually made Valsad famous and it cultivation is still important to the local economy. Villages in the Valsad district have numerous mango orchards and its cultivation and business is the only source of income for many villagers.
For complete business listing of Valsad visit Valsad Yellowpages