One of the world’s most spectacular tropical island systems, Lakshadweep Islands is tucked away at 220-240 kms off the Malabar Coast (Kerala). The islands comprise of 4200 sq.km. of lagoon rich in marine wealth ad 36 islands in an area of 32 sq.km. Each island in Lakshadeep is fringed by snow white coral sands. The crystal clear water and the rich marine flora and fauna enhance the mystique of these islands.
Against the vast blue sea the Lakshyadeep islands look like emeralds. The huge wall like reef bordering the outer side of the shallow lagoons blocks the incoming swells of the sea.The Lakshadweep islands are linked to the mainland by ships & passenger planes. Agatti island and Bangaram island can be reached by Air and the others by ship from Kochi (Cochin). The temperature increases from South to North; April and May are the hottest with temperatures averaging at 32° C.
Places to Visit in Lakshadweep :
Bangaram
The Bangaram Island, with its idyllic palm grove backdrop and the smooth sands caressed by the rippling waves of the multi-coloured sea is one of the finest tourist spots in the world.
The Bangaram Island, with its idyllic palm grove backdrop and the smooth sands caressed by the rippling waves of the multi-coloured sea is one of the finest tourist spots in the world.
This uninhabited island lies about 8 km north of Agatti. The island, developed as a tourist centre, is the only island open to foreign tourists. Bangaram is enclosed by a magnificent lagoon about 10 km long and 6 km wide that is shallow and safe. It is well defined by several coral reefs and small islands on its seaward periphery. One can clearly sea multi-coloured fish weave in and out of the corals. The island offers snorkelling, scuba diving, sea bathing, fishing and yachting. Daylong trips to nearby islands, walking on the white sand or simply lazing around in the sun are some of the activities one can indulge in.
The Bangaram Island Resort run by the Casino Group of Hotels consists of simple thatched cottages with terra-cotta floors and western furnishings.
Kadmat
Kadmat is one of the most popular islands with tourists. About 10 km from Amini, the island has a huge lagoon on the west, which abounds in spectacular coral growth. There is a long shoreline that sports a fine beach and is also ideal for swimming.
Kadmat is one of the most popular islands with tourists. About 10 km from Amini, the island has a huge lagoon on the west, which abounds in spectacular coral growth. There is a long shoreline that sports a fine beach and is also ideal for swimming.
In 1948, some gold coins belonging to the Roman Emperors of the 1st and 2nd centuries were found on a beach at Kadmat. This leads one to believe that outsiders visited the island very early on.
Facilities for tourists include tourist huts situated some distance away from habitation. Airconditioned and non-airconditioned huts are available. A Water Sports Institute providing water sports facilities set up in Kadmat recently offers snorkelling and scuba diving courses.
Kalpeni
76 km south of Androth, Kalpeni lies in an extensive and shallow lagoon. The lagoon is popular for its rich marine and coral life. The island has three uninhabited satellite islets of Cheryam, Tilakkam and Pitti. The reef that connects Cheryam and Kalpeni dries up at low tide and is excellent for walking.
76 km south of Androth, Kalpeni lies in an extensive and shallow lagoon. The lagoon is popular for its rich marine and coral life. The island has three uninhabited satellite islets of Cheryam, Tilakkam and Pitti. The reef that connects Cheryam and Kalpeni dries up at low tide and is excellent for walking.
Facilities for Indian tourists include small, privately managed huts, snorkelling and sailing.
Kavaratti
Kavaratti is the administrative capital of Lakshadweep and lies between the Agatti and Androth islands. It is about 6 km in length and 1 km at the broadest point.
Kavaratti is the administrative capital of Lakshadweep and lies between the Agatti and Androth islands. It is about 6 km in length and 1 km at the broadest point.
Kavaratti is the most developed of all the islands in terms of economy and architecture. There are more than 50 mosques in the island, most of which are architecturally superior to those on the other islands. The Ujira mosque with fine woodcarving is the most spectacular. Water from a well around this mosque is believed to have curative powers. Kavaratti also has an aquarium with several colourful species of fish.
Glass bottom boats are available on hire for viewing the colourful marine animals and coral formations. The island also offers facilities for water sports like snorkelling, scuba diving, kayaking and canoeing.
Minicoy
Minicoy or Malik is the southern most island in Lakshadweep and has the largest lagoon in the gr
oup. Marco Polo referred to it as the “female” island because of the matrilineal society.
Minicoy or Malik is the southern most island in Lakshadweep and has the largest lagoon in the gr
oup. Marco Polo referred to it as the “female” island because of the matrilineal society. The island is crescent shaped and more than 10 km from end to end. The lagoon is large and deep (one of the largest in the islands). Viringili, a small island at the northern tip of the main island was used in the olden days to isolate small pox patients and therefore it also came to be known as Smallpox Island. Within the lagoon, the reef dries at low tide at the northwestern entrance and provides an ideal place for marine life observation.
Culturally Minicoy is very different from the other islands. The language, dress and cuisine are all distinctly different. The main attraction is a cluster of 10 carefully arranged villages known as Athiris. Each Athiri has its own internal organisation, places of worship, burial ground, bathing tanks and streets. The houses are neatly arranged on the streets and are kept neat and tidy. Every house sports a beautifully furnished and painted swing cot.
Minicoy is an important tuna-fishing centre. There is a tuna-canning factory in the island. There are also a number of scientific research stations in the island. The island is also popular for the lighthouse built by the British in 1885.
The island has a couple of privately managed cottages on isolated beaches that are available for tourists.
AgattiAgatti is the most westerly island of Lakshadweep. It lies on the eastern arch of the coral shoal and is 6 km in length and about one thousand metres wide at the broadest point. There is a large and beautiful lagoon on the western side of the island which is ideal for fishing. Coral growths and multicoloured fish abound in this lagoon, believed to be the most beautiful in Lakshadweep.
The entire island has been fully planted with coconut trees. South of the main island separated by a shallow strait of about 200 metres is the uninhabited islet known as Kalpitti which is exposed to the open sea on the western side.
A 20-bed tourist complex has been set up here.
OTHER ISLANDS (only day trips allowed)
Amini
Amini lies 304 km southwest of Mangalore. It is about 3 km long and 1½ km at its broadest point. The name of the island is derived from the Arabic word Amin which means faithful. The island is oblong and almost fills the entire ring reef, leaving only a very shallow and narrow lagoon around. There is a formation of coral sandstone on the eastern and western beaches of the island.
Amini lies 304 km southwest of Mangalore. It is about 3 km long and 1½ km at its broadest point. The name of the island is derived from the Arabic word Amin which means faithful. The island is oblong and almost fills the entire ring reef, leaving only a very shallow and narrow lagoon around. There is a formation of coral sandstone on the eastern and western beaches of the island.
Amini was the principal island of the group from very early times. The island has a fine tradition of skilled and talented craftsmen who make a variety of crafts using local produce. Walking sticks made of tortoise and coconut shells and stone carving on coral rock are some of the popular crafts.
This island group is also popular for a rich tradition of folk songs. The boat songs peculiar to the Amindivi group attains its high form in this island.
Androth
Androth is the island nearest to the mainland. It lies east-west unlike the others which lie north-south. It fills the entire ring reef leaving virtually no lagoon.
Androth is the island nearest to the mainland. It lies east-west unlike the others which lie north-south. It fills the entire ring reef leaving virtually no lagoon.
The island is thickly planted with coconut trees. According to local tradition, this island was the first in the territory to have embraced Islam. Hazrat Ubaidullah, who is believed to have converted the people of Lakshadweep to Islam, is believed to have died here. His tomb is exists in the Jumaath mosque.
Bitra
Bitra is the smallest inhabited island in the territory, lying on the northeastern tip of a large coral ring reef enclosing a magnificent lagoon. Till the early 19th century, the island was the breeding ground for countless seabirds and people from other islands used to collect their eggs from here in very large quantities for food.
Bitra is the smallest inhabited island in the territory, lying on the northeastern tip of a large coral ring reef enclosing a magnificent lagoon. Till the early 19th century, the island was the breeding ground for countless seabirds and people from other islands used to collect their eggs from here in very large quantities for food.
The island has a small shrine dedicated to Malik Mullah, an old Arab saint. This shrine is a place of pilgrimage for the people of other islands as well.
Pitti
Pitti is 24 km northwest of Kavaratti. It is a small reef with tiny sandy banks at its southern end. Pitti is conspicuous for the lack of any kind of vegetation on the island. Not even a blade of grass grows on it. The island is a breeding ground for thousands of birds belonging to the tern group. Earlier, islanders from Amini and Kavaratti came to this island to collect the eggs. However, Pitti is now a bird sanctuary and a preserved area.
Pitti is 24 km northwest of Kavaratti. It is a small reef with tiny sandy banks at its southern end. Pitti is conspicuous for the lack of any kind of vegetation on the island. Not even a blade of grass grows on it. The island is a breeding ground for thousands of birds belonging to the tern group. Earlier, islanders from Amini and Kavaratti came to this island to collect the eggs. However, Pitti is now a bird sanctuary and a preserved area.
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