Destinatons
of India
» Lakshadweep |
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About
Lakshadweep
The islands look like emeralds in the vast
expanse  of
blue sea. Varying hues of turquoise blue
translucent water surround them. Coral atolls,
the matchless marine environment with myriad
colours resulting in complex interaction
of animate and inanimate things. Built on
ancient volcanic formations are the Lakshadweep
(meaning a hundred thousand islands), the
tiniest Union Territory of India.
It consists of 12 atolls, 3 reefs
and 5 submerged banks. The atolls poised
on submarine banks, harbour 36 islands having
an area of 32 Sq.Km. Of these, 10 islands
are inhabited namely Agatti, Amini, Andrott,
Bitra, Chetlat, Kadmat, Kalpeni, Kavaratti,
Kiltan and Minicoy. The islands lie about
220-440 Kms from the Malabar coast between
8° and 12° 13' North Latitude and
71° & 74° East Longitude. Kavaratti
is the Administrative Headquarter of the
Union Territory.
Each island is fringed by snowwhite coral
sands, are marked by a huge, shallow, calm
lagoon on one side which separate it from
incoming swells of the outer sea by the
fort wall-reef made of massive coral boulders
and live corals. The only coral islands
of our country, are the result of gradual
assimilation of calcium from the water by
corals and their turning into reefs.
The Best Time To Visit
The Islands of Lakshadweep are open all
round the year. The ideal time to visit
are the months of October to April. November
to March and August are the months when
Lakshadweep attracts the maximum number
of tourists. The months from May to September
are ideal time to enjoy on the islands.
This is the time when the weather is most
pleasant.
Climate
Climate in Lakshadweep is characterized
as having tropical Lakshadweep climate.
In the months of September to March temperature
varies between 27 and 32 degree Celsius.
However, in April and May temperature fluctuates
between 30 and 33 degree Celsius. In lagoon
the water temperature moves around 25 to
27 degree centigrade.
Transportation
One can reach Lakshadweep by flight and
ships from Kochi. Lakshadweep Administration
operates ships from Kochi.
- Air: The airport at
Agatti is well networked with the mainland
at Kochi (Cochin) from where onward flights
to most of the airports in India and to
selected foreign destinations are available.
(The Agatti Island is the gateway to Bangaram)
The Kingfisher and The Indian Airlines
operates its flight to Agatti Island now
all days in a Week. By Kingfisher Sunday,
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday & Saturdays
; By Indian Airlines Wednesday and Fridays.
The flight from Cochin International Airport
to Agatti takes approximately one hour
thirty minutes).
- Ship: Four passenger
ships M.V Kavaratti, M.V Tipusultan, M.V.
Bharatseema, M.V Aminidivi and M.V Minicoy
operate between Kochi and the islands.
The ships have standard voyages which
takes between 14 to 20 hours. Kochi /
Agatti direct or Kochi / Kavarati / Kadmath
/ Amini. Inter transport available by
speed boats).
While on board the ship, a representative
of 'TOURISM' who has been specially designated
to assist you. In case of any difficulty,
please avail of his services.
- Helicopter Service:
Helicopter transfer is available from
Agatti to Bangaram Island Resort during
monsoon and to Kavaratti through out the
year.
Attractions
in Lakshadweep |
Lakshadweep
is a group of islands lying approximately
400 Km west of Kerala coast. Although there
are 36 coral islands that constitute Lakshadweep
islands, only 10 are inhabited and only six
have been opened for tourism. This step has
been taken to protect the fragile ecosystem
of this tropical paradise. Even on these islands
one has to abide by strict rules put down
by tourism department of India. The six islands
that have been opened for tourism, all have
their own specialty and allures. This is one
place where nature has not been tampered with
even a bit.
Agatti
Agatti is without a doubt
the most important and most  beautiful
isles of all in Lakshadweep. The beaches of
Agatti, fringed with palm trees on one side
and the finest lagoon on the other, are sights
right out of a picture book. Agatti is spread
over an area of approximately 4 sq. km. With
6 Km in length and 1 Km in width. What binds
tourists to this island are the extensive
options for water sports. The best time to
visit the place is during low tide as the
water recedes slightly into the sea leaving
behind a fortune of white corals and atolls
of different shapes and sizes. The first look
of the shimmering blue waters will entice
you to indulge in a rejuvenating swim alongside
colorful fishes. Agatti islands has the only
airport in Lakshadweep islands that connect
it to the airport in Cochin. To reach other
islands, there is a helicopter service to
the islands.
Bangaram
Rated among the best hideaways in the world,
Bangaram island is a land of heart stopping
beauty and splendidness. Bangaram is one of
the three islands that have been thrown open
to foreign tourists. Except for few clay pots
left on the beaches by the tourists, the island
is exactly the way, the nature created it.
Since the island is completely uninhabited,
there has not been a lot of change in the
outlook of the island. For accommodation,
there is Bangaram Resort which is not exactly
what can be called luxurious. The resort does
not have air conditioned suites or 24 hr room
service. But to compensate for them, the resort
offers splendid views of shallow blue waters,
white sand beaches and utmost privacy.
Kalpeni
Kalpeni is a one of the smallest islands that
is constituted by three islets called Tilakkam,
Pitti and Cheriyam. Out of the three, Cheriyam
is the only islet that is not inhabited.
Kalpeni is nearly 2.8 Km long, 1.2 km in width
and covers an area of approximately 2.79 km.
The characteristic feature of Kalpeni is that,
it is an island with no beaches. It is because
most of the land near the water is covered
with sea coral debris. This is attributed
to the severe storm that struck the island
in 1857 that reshaped the entire island. During
a low tide you can easily walk through the
waters to Cheriyam using the coral debris.
Also indulge in water sports like kayaking,
snorkeling and scuba diving. The other attraction
of the island is a slightly deteriorated Moinuddeen
Mosque which was named after a saint. Located
on the southernmost shore, this mosque is
a revered spot for the locales. Before leaving
the island, don't forget to get yourself models
of boats made out of coconut tree barks and
the local game called 'Kuyppter' from the
handicraft workshop at the back of Koomel
Resort, the only accommodation on the island.
Minicoy
The beauty of nature is not less in any of
the Lakshadweep islands, but what sets apart
Minicoy is the color and culture prevalent
here from the very beginning. Spread over
an area of 4.8 sq Km with length more than
10 Km, Minicoy is the second largest island
in Lakshadweep after Andrott. The crescent
shaped island is the southernmost island in
Lakshadweep which has many small vilages called
'Avah'. Avah constitutes a number of houses
that are lead by an aged man known as Moopan.
The main attraction of the island is the lighthouse
situated on the southern tip of Minicoy. Built
in the year 1885, the lighthouse is one of
the oldest lighthouses in India. You can climb
to the very top of the lighthouse from where
you can get spellbinding views of vast ocean
on one side and green island of Minicoy on
the other. Like all other islands, Minicoy
also has great options for adventure sports
like scuba diving, snorkeling and kayaking.
However, Minicoy is not a great place for
ocean walking because of the rocky base.
Kavaratti
Kavaratti being the administrative center
of Lakshadweep islands, is the most important
of all the islands. Although from a tourist
point of view, there are more beautiful islands
than Kavaratti in Lakshadweep. The population
of the island is more than 10,000 that resides
in an area of 4.22 sq Km. Life on Kavaratti
does not seem as slow as on other islands.
The beaches here are not very broad and are
more crowded than beaches on other islands.
However, these are considered a lot more conducive
for sun bathing, swimming and other water
sports like snorkeling and scuba diving. Here
you can also enjoy marine life by hiring a
glass bottomed boats that will take you into
the deep blue waters. Also visit the government
run Dolphin dive, an organization that trains
professional and novice divers. The main tourist
attraction is definitely the Ujra Mosque that
is famous for its wood carved ceiling. Although
the mosque is open to all, women are not allowed
into the main prayer hall.
Kadamat
If you are looking for a solitary and laid
back holidays, away from the chaos of development,
then you are definitely craving for some time
in Kadmat. 8 Km long and 550 m at its widest,
Kadmat island has one of the most exceptional
stretches of white sand beaches in Lakshadweep.
From these beaches, one gets unforgettable
views of sunset coloring the entire horizon
with a multitude of red color shades. The
accommodation here is in small tourist huts
that stand under the coconut palm groves on
the beach. Lying on the beach, basking in
sun and satiating the soul with the natural
beauty is probably the favorite past time
for tourists to Kadmat. For people looking
for a bit more activity, there is a scuba
Diving school which in itself has become an
attraction.
So much is on offer in the islands of Lakshadweep,
that even a lifetime seems not enough for
enjoying it to the fullest. Be it exploring
the colorful marine life of Lakshadweep, indulging
in the many water sports or just sun bathing
on the beaches, the life seems a bliss on
Lakshadweep islands. |
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