KAVARATTI | KALPENI | |||
Kavaratti
is the Headquarters of the Administration
and the most developed island.
Fifty-two mosques are spread out
over the island, the most beautiful
being the Ujra mosque. Water from
a well near the mosque is believed
to have curative powers. The beautiful
and calm lagoon offers an ideal
spot for water sports, swimming
and snorkeling. Sunbathing or
just lazing around on the beach
can be a heady experience. Marine
life enthusiasts can visit the
marine aquarium, which has an
excellent collection of aquatic
specimens. The multicoloured underwater
life in the lagoons can be viewed
through glass-bottomed boats.
Kayaks, wind surfers and sailing
boats are available on hire. The
Dolphin Dive Centre is an attraction
for those who love scuba dive.
'Coral reef 'and 'Taratashi' tourist
packages can be availed to visit
this coral paradise. |
Kalpeni along
with two small islets of Tilakkam
and Pitti and the uninhabited
island of Cheriyam in the north
form a single atoll. A peculiar
feature of Kalpeni is a huge storm
bank of coral debris along its
eastern and southeastern shorelines.
It is believed that a violent
storm in 1847 threw up huge coral
boulders along these shores. It
is a socially progressive island
and it was here that girls first
went to school when women's education
was considered taboo. One can
swim, snorkel or reef-walk in
the vast lagoon and indulge in
water sports on kayaks, sailboats
and pedal boats. Two bathing huts
with change rooms are available
at Koomel Beach. Visit to Kalpeni
is part of Coral Reef package. |
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MINICOY | KADMAT | |||
Minicoy is,
in a sense, isolated from the
main group of islands and lies
about 200 kms south of the northern
group. It is 10.6 kms long and
is the second largest island after
Andrott. Minicoy has one of the
largest lagoons with a small uninhabited
islet Viringili on its southern
side. Minicoy is distinct from
the northern group of islands
in its culture, language dress
etc. It has a cluster of 11 villages,
which are called "Ava'h"
each presided over by an elected
village elder called Bodukaka.
Traditionally all powers to manage
village affairs are vested in
him. Each village has a village
house beautifully maintained and
decorated. Minicoy is renowned
for its tradition dance - the
Lava performed on festive occasions.
Colourful race boats called "Jahadhoni"
are a feast to the eye of any
tourist. A large number of men
from this island are employed
as seamen in ships all over the
world. Mahl is the spoken language.
Minicoy is an important center
for tuna fishing and a tuna-canning
factory on the island processes
the catch. A 300-foot tall lighthouse
built in 1885 by the British is
a majestic landmark. The beaches
have bathing huts with change
rooms and facilities for water
sports are available. 3 tourist
cottages and one 20-bedded tourist
home have been constructed for
staying tourists. Visit to Minicoy
is part of Coral Reef and Swaying
Palm packages. |
Kadmat is
8 km long and only 550 metres
wide at its broadest point. In
addition to the beautiful shallow
lagoon on the west, which is ideal
for water sports, there is a narrow
lagoon on the east. The main attractions
are the long sandy beaches and
sand banks on the southern tip.
Tourist huts built amidst palm
groves facing the lagoon allow
to soak in the pristine beauty
of the ecosystem. Kayaks, sailing
boats, pedal boats, skiing boats
and glass-bottomed boats are available
on hire. A Water Sports Institute
functions on the island. Marine
Wealth Awareness Package allows
to spend 2-4 days on the island
enjoying the rich bounty of nature.
Kadmat has emerged as one of the
most beautiful dive centers in
India. Variety of fishes like
rays, sharks, and clear water
with 20-50 meter visibility makes
it an unparalleled dive destination
for scuba divers. M/s Lacadives
, Mumbai operates a full-fledged
scuba diving center at Kadmat.
Non Indians are also permitted
to visit this island. |
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AGATTI |
BANGARAM |
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Agatti has
one of the most beautiful lagoons
in Lakshadweep. The airport is
built on this island. From the
aircraft, as one approaches for
a landing, one gets a breath-taking
view of the airstrip on the island.
Agatti is the virtual gateway
to the islands. A 20-bed tourist
complex with all modern amenities
has been set up here. Indian Airlines
and Kingfisher airlines operate
flights to Agatti making it one
of the most accessible islands
in Lakshadweep |
Bangaram is a tiny teardrop shaped
island, which lies very close to
Agatti and Kavaratti. The tourist
resort on this island provides an
amazing opportunity for guests to
unwind from the pressures and tensions
of modern life. Two small islands
of Thinnakara and Parali also lie
close to Bangaram enclosed by the
same lagoon. During the night, phosphorescent
plankton washed ashore on the coral
sands impart a bluish glow to the
beach, which is totally enchanting.
Guests to this resort can either
avail of the boat transfer or helicopter
transfer from Agatti. Being the
only uninhabited island resort in
Lakshadweep it has got its own charm.
An ideal destination for discerning
exclusive tourists, Bangaram has
carved its presence in the international
tourist map. |
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