LAKSHADWEEP

LAKSHADWEEP

 Lakshadweep comes from Lakshadweepa, which means "one hundred thousand islands" in Sanskrit. The islands form the smallest Union Territory of India: their total surface area is just 32 km2 (12 sq mi). The lagoon area covers about 4,200 km2 (1,600 sq mi), the territorial waters area 20,000 km2 (7,700 sq mi) and the exclusive economic zone area 400,000 km2 (150,000 sq mi). The region forms a single Indian district with 10 subdivisions. Kavaratti serves as the capital of the Union Territory and the region comes under the jurisdiction of Kerala High Court. The islands are the northernmost of the Lakshadweep-Maldives-Chagos group of islands, which are the tops of a vast undersea mountain range, the Chagos-Laccadive Ridge.

As the islands do not have any aboriginal groups, different views have been postulated by the scholars about the history of habitation on these islands. Archaeological evidence supports the existence of human settlement in the region around 1500 BC. The islands have long been known to sailors, as indicated by an anonymous reference from the first century AD to the region in Periplus of the Erythraean Sea. The islands were referenced also in the Buddhist Jataka stories of the sixth century BC. The arrival of Muslim missionaries around the seventh century led to the advent of Islam in the region. During the medieval period, the region was ruled by the Chola dynasty and Kingdom of Cannanore. The Portuguese arrived around 1498 and were upstaged by 1545. The region was then ruled by the Muslim house of Arakkal, followed by Tipu Sultan. On his death in 1799, most of the region passed on to the British and with their departure, the Union Territory was formed in 1956.

History

A mention of the region in the Periplus of the Erythraean Sea, by an anonymous author, is one of the earliest references.[6] There are references to the control of the islands by the Cheras in the Sangam Patiṟṟuppattu. Local traditions and legends attribute the first settlement on these islands to the period of Cheraman Perumal, the last Chera king of Kerala. The oldest inhabited islands in the group are Amini, Kalpeni Andrott, Kavaratti, and Agatti. Archaeological evidence suggests that Buddhism prevailed in the region during the fifth and sixth centuries AD. According to popular tradition, Islam was brought to Lakshadweep by an Arab named Ubaidulla in AD 661. His grave is located on the island of Andrott. During the 11th century, the islands came under the rule of the Late Cholas[6] and subsequently the Kingdom of Cannanore.

In the 16th century, the Portuguese ruled the seas between Ormuz and the Malabar Coast and south to Ceylon. As early as 1498, they took control of the archipelago (called Laquedivas by them), later on to exploit coir production, until the islanders expelled them in 1545. In the 17th century, the islands came under the rule of Ali Rajahs/Arakkal Bheevi of Kannur, who received them as a gift from the Kolathiris. The islands are also mentioned in great detail in the stories of the Arab traveller Ibn Batuta.

The Aminidivi group of islands (Androth, Amini, Kadmat, Kiltan, Chetlath, and Bitra) came under the rule of Tipu Sultan in 1787. They passed to British control after the Third Anglo-Mysore War and were attached to South Canara. The rest of the islands came under the suzerainty of the Arakkal family of Cannanore in return for a payment of annual tribute. The British took over the administration of those islands for nonpayment of arrears. These islands were attached to the Malabar district of the Madras Presidency during the British Raj

On 1 November 1956, during the reorganization of Indian states, the Lakshadweep islands were separated from Madras organized into a separate union territory for administrative purposes. The new territory was called Laccadive, Minicoy, and Amindivi Islands before adopting the Lakshadweep name on 1 November 1973.

To safeguard India's vital shipping lanes to the Middle East, and the growing relevance of the islands in security considerations, an Indian Navy base, INS Dweeprakshak, was commissioned on Kavaratti island.

Climate

Fondly called the 'Tropical Paradise', the beautiful islands of Lakshadweep, experiences a tropical climate. Lakshadweep has a kind of sultry weather with its summer temperature varying from twenty-two degree centigrade to thirty-five degree centigrade. During winters, the temperature ranges between twenty degree centigrade and thirty-two degree centigrade. The climate of group of beautiful islands depends much on the geography of Lakshadweep. 

Although the climate is a tropical one and the temperature is on the higher side, the overall atmosphere of the union territory is quite pleasing attracting many tourists. The sea breeze is very pleasant and the greeneries provide more than sufficient cool shades to make the place pleasurable. The beautiful place is open all the year round and welcomes the tourists. However, the best time of the year to visit the Paradise called Lakshadweep is from the months of May to September. It is the ideal time to visit the Lakshadweep, as at this time of the year, the climate is of the perfect kind and it is the right kind of weather to enjoy the clear blue sea with colourful fishes as you walk through the silver sands of the unending stretch of Lakshadweep beaches.

The travel on ship is a very popular mode of tourism here. During the monsoons if you travel to Lakshadweep, you will miss it. To savor the fun of the ship-based trip on the seas around the heavenly islands of Lakshadweep, you should visit the place avoiding the rainy seasons. However, the helicopter services are on all the year round for the visitors. The climate in the months of October and November may experience light temporary showers. Clothes that are suitable in the tropical areas would be the perfect choice for the visitors to carry in their travel bags.

TOURIST ATTRACTIONS IN LAKSHADWEEP

Kavaratti Islands 

Kavaratti Island is one of the most beautiful gems from the Lakshadweep group of islands. The capital of Lakshadweep it is yet another island famous for its splendid sea views and the pristine white-sand beaches. Kavaratti lies 360 km from the shores of Kochi. It doesn't have its airport and Agatti is the nearest airport to the island. Under the mission to develop smart cities, Kavaratti has been chosen to be developed into a smart city in the years to come.


Kavaratti is a small island spread across an area of 3.93 sqm km, but there is no dearth of natural beauty at the islands. The island is a home to 12 atolls, five submerged banks, and three coral reefs. The spectacular views of the Arabian sea, the sparkling white-sand beaches offers solace amidst the tranquil nature.

The beaches are laden with the swinging coconut trees, and once you take a dip inside the vast expanse, you can witness the abundant marine life of the island. Kavaratti is best known for its beautiful sceneries and the enthralling water sports.

Kadmat

Kadmat is one of the most popular islands for tourists. Famous for sun bathing, it is renowned for its pristine silvery white beaches. This really small island has a beautiful lagoon in its premises enclosed by coral reefs.

Kadmat is also one of the inhabited islands offering both domestic and foreign tourists with a pleasant experience.

Kalpeni Island 

Also known as Koefaini, Kalpeni islands is a group of three islands and is one of the most picturesque areas of Lakshadweep. Cheriyam, Pitti and Tillakkam are the islands which together forms the Kalpeni islands.

These islands are inhabited and are frequently visited by tourists. Kalpeni is famous for its beautiful lagoon surrounding the island and is highly rich in Coral life. Naturally, this place is among the must-see places in Lakshadweep. This is also a great spot to enjoy water sports including Scuba Diving, Snorkeling, Reef walking, canoeing, kayaking and sailing yachts.

Bangaram Island 

Bangaram Island, also known as Bunnagara in the local language, is an atoll which surrounds a lagoon formed by the Arabian Sea. The small island encompasses an area of 1.234 km sq filled with the many elements of natural beauty. Truly enchanting and mesmerizing beyond one can explain, Bangaram island is one of the least explored parts of the Lakshadweep islands. There is only one beach resort on the island, and the modernisation lies miles away from this island making it a perfect destination to cut out from the outer world.

Bangaram Island is known for its pristine beaches, the vibrant coral reefs, many different fishes and few of the adventure sports. It is an uninhabited island located at a distance of 12 km from the Agatti island. Boats and ferries are available from Agatti that will take you the Bangaram in just 15-20 minutes. Tourists require a special permit to enter the island with the confirmed stay if they want to stay here overnight.

The best way to explore this island is to make your stay at the Agatti island lying just 12 km away from Bangaram and explore this atoll on a day trip from Agatti. There are several options of stay at the Agatti resorts. Also, the only resort of the island is under litigation, and hence it has been shut down for a while.

Amindivi Islands 

One of the most habited islands of Lakshadweep; Amindivi is a group of islands lying in the North Lakshadweep and is famous for its choir products. It is an ideal place for those seeking to experience the local culture and markets of Lakshadweep.

Due to government regulations, foreign tourists are not allowed to visit this island.

Agatti Islands 

Another jewel from the Lakshadweep group of islands is the Agatti island known for its blissful beauty of coral reefs. It is situated on one of the coral atolls of Lakshadweep island and is few of the islands from the group that is inhabited by the people. The island stretches over an area of 7.6 km, and it is sparsely populated. The total population of the island is roughly 7,700 as per the 2014 census. However, there is no dearth of the natural beauty on the island.

The white sand beaches with the crystal clear waters of the sea await you the Agatti islands. The small island of the total area of 2.7 sq km is a sheer paradise for the beach lovers and the offbeat travelers. It is also the only island of the Lakshadweep with its airport hence making it easily accessible. It is located at a distance of 459 km from the shores of Kochi.

The languages spoken by the indigenous people are English and Malayalam. However, Islam is the main religion of the islanders which was brought here by the famous Arab traveler- Ibn Batuta. The primary occupation of the people is fishing, and few of them are involved in the tourism .