|
| Islands in India |
| Featured Destinations of South India : |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
There are two groups of islands – the andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal, and the Lakshwadeep and Minicoy Islands in the Arabian Sea.
The first is a group of 204 islands, believed to be extensions of the mountain system in the northeastern part of the country. Some of them are volcanic in origin. |
|
|
|
|
|
The second group has about 43 islands, surrounded by beautiful coral reefs. The beauty of the andamans notwithstanding, their history is tainted with blood. Known as Kaala Paani, or black waters, Port Blair, the capital city of the andamans was the dreaded site of the Cellular Jail, used by the British for banished convicts. |
|
|
|
|
|
The jail itself is well worth a visit, for it is replete with tales of those ‘freedom fighters’ who fought to liberate India from British dominion and were condemned to spend the last days of their lives in this jail |
|
|
|
|
|
Lakshadweep Islands |
|
|
Formerly Laccadive, renamed Lakshadweep (hundred thousand Islands) in 1973, is one of the most spectacular tropical Island systems. The archipelago consist of 36 coral islands in the Arabian Sea, about 185 miles (300 km) off the Kerala coast. It consists of 12 atolls, three reefs and five submerged banks / More / |
|
|
|
|
|
The atolls poised on submarine banks, harbour these islands with a total area of 32 square km (12 square miles). The islands form the smallest of the Union Territories of India and the country's only coral islands |
|
|
|
|
|
Though the land area is extremely small, if considered its lagoon area of about 4,200 sq km, 20,000 sq km of territorial waters and about 7,00,000 sq km of economic zone, Lakshadweep is one of the largest territories in India. |
|
|
|
|
|
Andaman & Nicobar |
|
|
Floating in splendid isolation, cast of the Indian mainland is the archipelago of 572 emerald islands, islets and rocks known as Andaman & Nicobar Islands. This Union Territory is stretched over an area of more than 700 Km. from north to south with 36 inhabited islands. Once a hill range extending from Burma (Myanmar) to Indonesia, these undulating islands are covered with dense forests and endless variety of exotic flowers and birds. The topography of the islands is hilly and abounds in evergreen forests. The sandy beaches on the edge of meandering coastline are fringed with coconut-palms that sway to the rhythm of the sea. The sea around the islands offer excellent scope for water sports. The rare flora and fauna, underwater marine life and corals, with crystal clear water and mangrove-lined creeks, offer a dream-view of the rare gifts of nature. The clean and wide roads, free of filth as well as unpolluted fresh air attract any nature-lover, who seek absolute peace and tranquility in the lap of mother nature. Adventure tourism like trekking, island camping, snorkeling, scuba diving etc., are the real attractions. A visit to these islands is a memorable lifetime experience. |
|
|
|
|
|
Mythologicaly, the name Andaman was presumed to be derived from Hanuman, who was known to the Malays as Handuman. Since Prehistoric times, these islands were the home of aboriginal tribes. The tribes of, the Andaman group of islands are the Great Andamanese, Onges, Jarawas, and Sentinatese, all of Negrito origin, while the tribes of Nicobars are the Nicobarese and Shompens, both of Mongoloid stock. The first settlement by the British took place in 1789, which was later abandoned in 1796. The second settlement was basically a penal settlement, taken up in 1858, after the First War of Independence, followed by the settlement of convicts, Moplas, some criminal tribes from Central and United Provinces, refugees from erstwhile East Pakistan, Burma and Sri Lanka as well as ex-servicemen. |
|
|
|
|
|
In these islands people of all faiths - Hindus, Muslims, Christians, Sikhs etc., and of all languages like Hindi, Bengali, Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Punjabi, Nicobari etc., live together in complete peace and harmony. Inter-religion and inter-regional marriages are common. This amazing racial and cultural mix is correctly described as Mini-India. |
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
Inorder to savour the natural beauty of South India, we have designed the following tour packages for the discerning travellers |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
