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They call it by many names. Some called it Laccadive, some said Minicoy and still others referred to it as the Aminidivi Islands. Today, we refer to these jewel-like islands, collectively, with the Malayali word for “one hundred thousand islands”. We call it Lakshadweep. This precious archipelago, 260 nautical miles off the Kerala course is located in the crystal, blue green waters of the Laccadive sea. Here corals bloom and grow. Here sea turtles’ nest. Here the pristine blue waters seep into the gentle shores of the islands. Here, you will find the pulse and spike of adventure sports in the most serene locations, or ride on a luxurious yacht, or even just revel in everything that Lakshadweep has to offer.
| Lakshadweep: A Quick View of the state | |
| Capital | Kavaratti |
| Official Language | Malayalam |
| Dial Code | 04896 |
| Population | 88, 600 (as of 2018) |
| Currency | Indian Rupee (INR) |
| Time Zone | UTC+05:30 (IST) |
| Area | 32.69 square km |
Pristine, pure, perfect… these are some of the words that come to mind when you visit Kavaratti – the capital of Lakshadweep. Here you will find dazzling white beaches and sheltered lagoons to spend a quiet day. However, if you’re looking for excitement, don’t worry, Kavaratti has enough and more water sports to get your adrenaline flowing. Dive, surf, snorkel, ski – the waters welcome all adventurers. Windsurfing, Parasailing, Jet Skiing, Water Bikes, Glass Bottomed Boat rides are just a few activities to explore. When you’re out of the water, take some time to visit the tourist spots on the island, like the Marine Aquarium, Urja Mosque, Jamnath Mosque and more.
Blue meets green and yellow, to create a synergy of Pinterest worthy landscapes. Agatti is brilliant and buoyant. 7.6 km of sand runs as far as the naked eye can see, glittering like an expensive highlighter. People come here to escape the craze of life. Its remote setting is idyllic, peaceful and oozing with natural beauty. You can snorkel, dive, sail, deep sea fish and kayak! The water sports are countless. The thrills are endless. The fun is unimaginable. Agatti Island Beach Resort offers comfortable and charming accommodation for all you beach bums to recoup at. And if you’re looking for a little something different, visit the government run museum. It contains trinkets from the indigenous tribes, that you should definitely glimpse.
Kadmat Island is laden with coral reefs (with sea grass) and marine turtles. This ecological feature, among others, has rendered the beaming island a ‘marine protected area’. Like every island in the archipelago, Kadmat is endowed with the most beguiling beaches and waters. You can spend hours just gazing at the alluring sceneries. We promise you this; you wont tire of it easily. Something truly special is its 1.5km wide lagoon. Fishing is the principle activity of the islanders, so you must try some of the fresh and succulent dishes. Furthermore, you can engage in a host of water sports that are exhilarating!
Seafood and coconut wind their way into most of the local dishes on the islands. The food is spicy, and the flavours often speak of Lakshadweep’s closest neighbour – Kerala. You’ll find every kind of tuna preparation here – baked, grilled, fried. Sink into the dishes like rayereha (red tuna curry) sannath (a white-based coconut tuna curry with potatoes and papaya) and flaky Malabar parotta. Finish the meal off with a long drink of soothing coconut water.
This archipelago resembles little emerald droplets scattered over 30,000 square miles of the Arabian Sea. The eastern most island lies around 185 miles off the Kerala coastline. Of the 36 islands in the archipelago, only 10 are inhabited – Andrott, Amini, Agatti, Bitra, Chetlat, Kadmat, Kalpeni, Kavaratti, Kiltan and Minicoy. The lagoon area of Lakshadweep covers 4,200 square kilometres, the territorial waters cover 20,000 square kilometres and the exclusive economic area of Lakshadweep is around 400,000 square kilometres. For the smallest Union Territory of India, Lakshadweep boasts of some big border numbers!
Click here to view Lakshadweep on Google Maps
The weather gods smile down on these gorgeous little islands throughout the year. However, the period of October to May is the most welcoming to tourists. Mid May to September sees these islands shrouded in rain, which means certain islands (even the inhabited ones) become inaccessible. Furthermore, the monsoon season also means that many water sports and other island activities remain shut until the rain abates. The winter season brings cool sea breezes, pleasant nights and spectacular winter sunsets over the water. What could be more perfect than that?
Kochi International Airport is the closest airport connecting Lakshadweep to the mainland. It consists of flights to and from major cities in India, as well as International locations. Flights from Kochi land in Agatti airport. From here, you will have a variety of transport options to choose from.
To reach Lakshadweep, you can avail of one of the ship services beginning in Kochi. The duration is approximately 14 to 20 hours. From Deluxe Class to First Class, and Tourist Class, you will be spoilt for choice.
Although it remains off the coast of India, many kings and empires extended their rule from the mainland, all the way to Lakshadweep. In fact, legend has it that the first settlement on the Lakshadweep islands happened during the reign Cheraman Perumal, the last Chera king of Kerala. Of the islands in the archipelago, Amini, Kalpeni, Kavaratti and Agatti show the earliest signs of inhabitation. During the 5th and 6th centuries, archaeological discoveries point to a strong Buddhist influence in the area. In 661 A D, Islam was brought to the islands’ shores by an Arab named Ubaidulla. In the 11th century, the islands were rules by the Cholas, and then became a part of the Kingdom of Cannanore. In the 16th century, the Portuguese took over and christened the island as Laquedivas until they were expelled by the locals. In 1787, the islands came under the control of Tipu Sultan, which then passed to the British under the Madras Presidency.
Post-independence, when the states were reorganised the Lakshadweep islands were separated from Madras and designated as a Union Territory. The name Lakshadweep was formalised on 1st November 1973.
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