Udvada literally means 'grazing ground of camels' when translated, which it was primarily before it became a fishing town. It is a coastal village 200 km north of Mumbai, just around 8 km off the national highway, National Highway No. 8. Trains ply from Mumbai to Udvada, including the Gujarat Express, the Ferozepur Janta Express and Saurashtra Express. It is just 200 kms before Surat on the way to Ahmedabad. It is also very near to Union Territory Daman.
Udvada is renowned for its Zoroastrian Atash Behram named Iranshah, a place of worship is the oldest still-functioning example of its kind, and has established Udvada as a pilgrimage center for Zoroastrians the world over. The Iranshah Atash Behram is the most sacred of the Zoroastrian fire temples in India and the highest grade of the oldest continuously burning fire-temple fire in the world. The Udvada Atash Behram is one of nine Atash Behrams worldwide, eight of which are in western India (four in Mumbai, two in Surat, one in Navsari, and the one in Udvada), and one of which is in Yazd, in central Iran. According to the tradition, nine priestly families and their heirs are the sole lawful guardians of the fire and its temple.
Udvada also has a Zoroastrian heritage museum (Zoroastrian Information Centre). This museum has summaries of the teachings and beliefs of lord Ahura Mazda. Also it has a large write up, that tells you about the history of the Parsis. It includes explanations and write ups on the holy ceremony of the Parsis called Navjote.
Watch Amitabh Bachchan's advertisement for Udvada, the land where the Parsis first settled. A land filled with rich history, cultural and legends of a community that became integral amongst Gujaratis. Walk through these lanes of ethnicity in Udvada.
Gujarat Tourism/YouTube
The typical Parsi homes in Udvada with their high ceilings, sloped roofs with ornamental skirting, and double otlas (porches) are over a century old, and considered worth preserving. A non-parsi though not allowed in the fire temple can relish local Parsi food at the restaurant and visit the museum to have an understanding about the Parsi religion.