Lakshadweep |
 Exquisite coral islands, marine life in its pristine nature, beautiful natural lagoons, silvery beaches and delicious sea foods - you have it all here. Lakshadweep, literally means a hundred thousand (one lakh) islands (dweep), offers for the enthusiast travelers much sought physical and mental enjoyments and relaxation to spend their holidays. Lakshadweep is the smallest union territory of India and consists of a group of islands in the Arabian Sea in 32 sq. km area spreading over more than with 77,700 sq km in the Sea. The administrative capital of Lakshadweep is Kavaratti. Lakshadweep territory encloses ten inhabited and 17 uninhabited islands, some attached islets, five submerged reefs and four newly formed islets. The inhabited Islands include Agatti, Andrott, Amini, Kavaratti, Kalpeni, Kadmat, Kiltan, Bitra,Chetlat and Minicoy. Lakshadweep is connected mostly to Kerala through Cochin and is under the Jurisdiction of Kerala High Court. The common belief is that the first settlers in these Islands are brought by the renowned erstwhile Kerala King Cheraman Perumal, after a shipwreck in the stormy Arabian Sea. Lakshadweep presently has a majority of Muslim population and there are as many as more than fifty mosques, some of them attracts huge crowd of devotees and have beautiful architectural styles like Ujra mosque. One of the main attractions in the Lakshadweep Islands is the abundance of fisheries items and the variety of fishes from the Arabian Sea. Oceanic birds flying over the Islands is an eye catching experience. The common people in Lakshadweep are very friendly good hosts and they belong to Arab and Hindu culture. Other tourist spot which can be visited by adventurous travelers include the poultry farms, milk diaries at Kavaratti and Minicoy and the Marine Museum. Festooned with wonderful coral islands, marine life in Lakshadweep is simply superb and unique. The rich and credited legacy of eye catching and unspoiled world of marine life is the prime attraction of the lagoons of the Kadmat and Bangaram islands. Lakshdweep has famed for many water sport activities, Scuba diving, Kayaking and Canoeing are among them. A paradise for divers, Lakshadweep Islands is world renowned as the definitive exotic diving location in the Arabian Sea. Many tourists visit here to enjoy these sports activities. |
When To Go
Lakshadweep has a tropical climate, with summers during March to May have temperatures ranging from 22°C to 35°C. April and May are hottest months with an average temperature around 32°C. Winters during December to February have a temperature range of 20°C to 32°C. Monsoons during June to August offer very heavy intermittent rainfalls. Strong blow of winds from the Sea is a common feature in Lakshadweep.
Id–ul-fitr (October), Onam (August-September) and Bakrid (March) are important festivals celebrated with much joy and enthusiasm.
Best time to visit here is from August to March.
Id–ul-fitr (October), Onam (August-September) and Bakrid (March) are important festivals celebrated with much joy and enthusiasm.
Best time to visit here is from August to March.
| Attractions |
Kavaratti Island
mustsee Enchanted with the eternal natural beauty, a Kavartii island is a prime destination of Lakshadweep tourists. Kavaratti, with impressive snow-white coral sands and calm lagoons, is the head quarters of Lakshadweep. Pristine beauty of lush green coconut trees, dancing leaves of coconuts in the soft sea breeze and sandy beaches makes it a tourist place unparallel in any account.Kavaratti’s prime attraction is the Urja Mosque, a most important pilgrim centre of Muslims and the most beautiful shrine in Lakshdweep. Other attractions here are a captivating Aquarium with many varieties of corals and different species of beautiful colourful fish. This is an ideal spot for water sports
Agatti Island
popular One of the Nature’s treasures on Earth or Heaven on Earth, many adjectives can be used to describe the pristine natural beauty of Agatti Islands in Lakshadweep. Soothing weather, a balanced mix of sunlight, sea breeze and sandy shore makes the visit in Agatti memorable for a visitor. Swaying palm trees, silvery beaches and exotic coral reefs, nature has gifted Agatti all its prime attractions.Agatti is the gateway to Lakshadweep, as the only airport in the islands is situated here. Agatti is a best suit for many water sports activities. One can experience the real pleasure of fiber glass boats and country canoes cruises. Agatti has an outstandingly attractive lagoon in the west, with multi coloured fish fauna and exquisite coral growths. This is a remarkable tourist destination.
Amini Island
popular Amini or Amidivi Islands, the first and foremost human inhabited Island and densely populated, is famous for superior quality of coir products. The island with tropical climate is small area with only about 3 km long and 1.6 km width.History tells that this island was captured in the 16th century by the Portuguese and made as their colony, mainly attracted by the craft of making of coir ropes. Later British took over the control in 1799 till the merging of Lakshadweep with Indian Union.
Island is famous for many beautiful craftworks, walking sticks beautifully made with the shells of tortoise and coconut and carved striking flower motifs on hard coral stones, are some important artifacts available here. Tourists can make a shopping for these valuable materials.
Androth Island
popular Andrott (Andretti) Island, the largest Island in Lakshdweep, is the closest Island to the mainland of India through Cochin. It is a densely populated island, situated with glamour and glare of natural beauty. The Island is blessed with many tourist attractions including many Buddhist archeological remains and the tomb of Saint Hazrat Ubaidullah.Andrott has the unique feature of lying in the east-west direction; all other islands are oriented in north-south direction. The island is dense with coconut palms and coir industry flourishes in this island. If the tourists are patient enough, they can catch hold of small species of octopus during the neap tides from sea shore in this island. This is a calm and attractive place to spend the evenings.
Bangaram Island
popular Bangaram, nearly unexplored and pollution free serene island, is a prime tourist destination in Lakshadweep. It is an uninhabited, unspoilt small island encircled by a picturesque lagoon enclosed in a coral reef. The Island is open to Indian and foreign tourists.Bangaram Island is now renowned as a spectacular tourist spot with amazing natural beauty and secluded atmosphere. Lusting with greenish dense coconut trees, sparkling coral reefs, silvery soft sand beaches and turquoise blue lagoons, this majestic Island provide enchanting views for its visitors. This is an ultimate tourist resort for those who look for holidaying in the lap of Mother Nature.
Kadmat Island
popular Kadmat, a great tourist spot for sun bath, is renowned for the long silvery sandy beaches. It is one of the inhabited islands in Lakshadweep with dense coconut palms. Isolated from the Mainland, Kadmat Island, recognized for its lime stones used for construction purposes, is very small and has the credit of a very large beautiful lagoon enclosed by the coral reefs. There is a narrow lagoon on the eastern side of the island which dries up at low tide periods. The attractive bank on the southern tip is a best suit for sun baths. Many foreign and domestic tourists reach here to have the pleasant experience of Kadmat sun bath.Kalpeni Islands
popular Kalpeni Islands, Koefaini as per Arab writers, is a group of three small islands and is considered as one of the most exquisite and impressing islands of Lakshadweep. The satellite islands Cheriyam, Pitti and Tilakkam are inhabited and many tourists are attracted towards this Kalpeni Islands to spend their holidays.One of unique feature of this Island is the coral debris along the south eastern and eastern banks and this Island is encircled by a lagoon of fantastic splendor, which is highly rich in coral life. Kalpeni is famous for many water sport activities, adventurous tourists can venture out for interesting sports like snorkeling, reef walking, canoeing, kayaking and sailing yachts. This is a nice place to visit
Kayaking and Canoeing
popular Adventure seekers golden sports paradise is Lakshadweep, with many breath taking water sporting activities. The excellent facilities in the sea shore and the tempting sea waves, makes Lakshadweep an ideal spot for water sports, mainly for Kayaking and Canoeing. Paddling through amazing sea waves in the unpredictable weather, makes canoeing one of the most challenging water sports.Canoeing and Kayaking are very eco friendly dynamic sports activities providing physical fitness to those undertake. Kayaks, looking like cute fishing boat, are best used in Arabian Sea waters for kayaking sport. Lakshdweep offers many training facilities for naïve adventurous tourists in Kayaking and canoeing. Kavaratti and Kalpeni Islands are famous for these sports.
Lighthouse
popular Lighthouse, established in 1885 by Bristish at Minicoy, is one among the oldest lighthouses in Lakshadweep. This is a wonderful structure attracting many tourists, which is a major landmark in Minicoy Island. One can go right up to the top of this Light house with a height of 300 feet. A bird’s eye view of the Lakshadweep islands is an amazing seen from the top of the Light house. The surroundings are highly reverberating with dynamic activities in the Island. This is a perfect tourist destination with all natural beauty.Minicoy Islands
popular The Southern most Island among the islands in Lakshadweep and farthest from Kavaratti is Minicoy. Minicoy Island, crescent shaped, stands second in area after Andrott Island. This is the one Island where Mahl language is spoken while all other islands use Malyalam as the spoken language. The island is credited with one of the largest laggon in Lakshdweep.Minicoy is very famous for tuna fishing and an important centre for tuna canning. Factories for tuna canning with ice plants and cold storages are attractive for tourists. Major attractios here are the 300 ft Light house and an old Juma mosque. The Minicoy people are art lovers, many dance forms named Dandi and lava dance are practiced here. These are traditional dances performed during festivals. Tourists are provided with comfortable accommodation facilities.
