Lakshwadeep

Scattered around 200 km - 400 km west off the Kerala coast, lie the islands of the Union Territory of Lakshadweep, an archipelago of 27 coral islands and open reefs. Out of these islands, only ten are inhabited and they are Andrott, Amini, Agatti, Bitra, Chetlat, Kadmath, Kalpeni, Kavaratti, Kiltan and Minicoy. These islands form the smallest of the Union Territories of India, and are the country's only coral islands. The main islands are Kavaratti, Minicoy, and Amini. Kavaratti is the headquarters of these islands, while Bitra is the smallest of all, with a nominal population. About 93 percent of the people in Lakshadweep are the Shafi school Muslims of the Sunni sect, and they speak Malayalam.

The Lakshadweep archipelago consists of 36 islands some 200 to 300 km off the Kerala coast. The islands are a northern extension of the Maldives chain. The islands form the smallest of the Union Territories of India and are the country's only coral islands. The population is 93% Muslim. Malayalam is spoken on all the islands except Minicoy, where the people speaks Mahl, the language spoken in the Maldives. The main occupations of the island people are fishing and the production of copra and coir. Tourism is an emerging industry. The first historical records date from the 7th century, when a marabout (Muslim saint) was shipwrecked on the island of Amini. Despite initial opposition to his efforts to convert the inhabitants to Islam, he eventually succeeded. When he died, he was buried in Andrott. His grave is revered to this day as a sacred site. These palm-fringed coral islands with their beautiful lagoons are every bit as inviting as those in the Maldives archipelago, but until recently they were effectively off limits to foreign visitors. Now there are regular boat cruises and tours to the island for Indian nationals, and the resort on the uninhabited island of Bangaram is open to foreign tourists. Bangaram is in a six km by 10 km lagoon with three smaller islands - Thinnakara, Parali-1 and Parali-2.

Generally it is believed that Cheraman Perumal, the last king of Kerala, as a result of shipwreck on the stormy Arabian seas, made the first settlement on these islands. But the historical record shows that, around the 7th century, a Muslim saint was shipwrecked on the island of Amini. He converted the inhabitants here to Islam, despite initial opposition.

Although the sovereignty remained in the hands of the Hindu Raja of Chirakkal, it eventually passed to the Ali Raja of Cannanore (Kannur) in the 16th century, the only Muslim royal family of Kerala, and later, in 1783 to Tipu Sultan. Following the defeat of Tipu Sultan by the British, at Srirangapattanam in 1799, the East India Company annexed the islands. It remained with the British until Independence, when it was made a Union territory of the Indian Union in 1956.

General Information

Clothing : Throughout the year: Cottons

Climate :
Summer : March to June (Warm)
Monsoon : May to - October (Warm)
Winter : November to February (Mildly warm & pleasant)

Capital : Kavaratti

Population:('000s in 1991): 52

Area: ('000 sq. km) : 0.03

Principal Languages : Malayalam and Mahl

Industries : Copra, Coir, Vinegar, Fish Canning, Handicrafts.

Crops : Coconuts, Fruits.

Access :

Air : Kochi International airport links Lakshadweep islands with the mainland.
Onward flights from Kochi are available to most of the airports in India and to selected foreign destinations.
Agatti is the only airport in Lakshadweep. Helicopter transfer is available from Agatti to Bangaram Island Resort during monsoon and to Kavaratti through out the year. The flight from Kochi to Agatti takes approximately one hour thirty minutes. Flights operate six days a week.
Indian Airlines operates daily except Sundays from Kochi (Kochi) to Lakshwadeep (Agati Island)
AIRFARE > KOCHI - AGATI- KOCHI
# Adult /Child ( 2 >12 Yrs) > USD 340 /180
# INR 9580 /5240 Per Adult /Child, respectively
Air Schedule Presently applicable
Kochi - Agatti > 0915 -1050 hrs
Agatti - Kochi > 1115 - 1215 hrs

Water : Four passenger ships MV Tippu Sultan, MV Bharat Seema, MV Amindivi and MV Minicoy operate between Kochi and Lakshadweep.
The passage takes between 18 to 20 hours.
The ships offer different classes of accommodation; A/C Deluxe Class with two berth cabins, A/C First Class with four berth cabins and Tourist Class with A/C seating. The ships have cafeteria and snack bars, entertainment lounge, video shows and upper-deck promenade etc in MV Tipu Sultan and MV Bharat Seema.
A doctor is available on call on board these ships. MV Amindivi and MV Minicoy also offer comfortable A/C accommodation.
SHIP FARE > KOCHI- AGATTI: ONE WAY
SHIP FARE >Passage time - 20 hrs approximately.
Departure time from Kochi 1130 hrs & Arrival in Agatti 10 AM the following day.
# Ist Class Cabin AC - INRs. 3000 / USD 100 per person
# Tourist Class AC CC - INRs 1500/ USD 40
Additional 10% service charges are applicable on and above the published ship fares.
# IInd class Non AC CC - INRs 1500/ USD 50
The ship passage rates are subject to additional 10% towards administrative cost
# Above charges are inclusive of Food during journey & transfer by boat to Agatti resort.
# Cabin facility is available only in m.v.Tipu Sultan. The rest have chair car (AC/NAC)
The ship services DO NOT OPERATE during Moonsoons between 15th May to October 15th
For further information log on to http://lakshadweep.nic.in/lakislscvr.htm

Places of Interest

Lakshadweep is fast emerging as a sought after destination. Tourist facilities in Lakshadweep are being developed by way of luxury cruises around the islands. All tourists need permission to visit Lakshadweep, except those booked on a cruise, in which case permission is implicit.

Four of the inhabited islands (Kavaratti, Kalpeni, Minicoy and Kadmath) are open to Indian tourists and Bangaram, an uninhabited island, is open to both domestic and foreign tourists. Bangaram has facilities for water sports. Swimming, fishing, sailing in glass - bottomed boats which give enchanting views of the coral below, and yachting are the main attractions.

Kavaratti

The headquarter of the Administration, Kavaratti is beautiful calm lagoon and forms an ideal spot for water sports, swimming and basking on warm sandy beaches. The Ajara and Jamnath mosques (of the 52 on the island) have the best wood carving and the former has a particularly good ceiling carved out of driftwood; a well within is believed to have medicinal water. Marine life exhibits can be seen at the new marine aquarium. Kayaks and sailing yatch are available on hire and one can also enjoy viewing the exotic marine life through glass bottom boats. Kalpeni is known for its scenic beauty with the small islets called Tilakkam & Pitti and an uninhabited island on the north called Cheriyam. A huge shallow lagoon encloses all of them. A peculiar feature of Kalpeni atoll is the huge storm bank of coral debris along the eastern & south-eastern shoreline. It is believed that huge boulders were thrown up during a storm in 1847. One can swim, reef walk or water sports on kayaks, sail boats, pedal boats. Water sports crafts are available on hire.

Minicoy

It is the southernmost island in Lakshadweep, crescent shaped & has one of the largest lagoons. The island is also very interesting because of its unique Maldivian character. Kadamat : Kadamat is 8 Km long and 550 m wide at the broadest point. In addition to the beautiful shallow lagoon on the west that forms an ideal spot for water sports, there is a narrow lagoon on the east. The best attractions are the long sandy beaches and the sand banks on the southern tip for sun bathing. Kadamat has been identified for staying tourists with its tourists huts aesthetically situated in the coconut palm groves in the beaches facing the lagoon. The place is ideal for a real holiday that brings you away from the maddening crowd, hustle and bustle of city life.

Kalpeni

It is known for its scenic beauty and the small islets called Tilakkam & Pitti and an uninhabited island on the north called Cheriyam. A huge shallow lagoon encloses all of them. A peculiar feature of Kalpeni atoll is the huge storm bank of coral debris along the eastern and south-eastern shorelines. It is believed that huge boulders were thrown up during a storm in 1847. It is a progressive island; it was in this island that girls first went to school, when women's education was considered a taboo. You can swim, reef-walk or water-sport on kayaks, sail boats & pedal boats. Water sports crafts are given on hire; 2 bathing huts with change-rooms are available, at Koomel Beach Resort. A visit to the baniyan factory and the light house is also included in the day's program. 4 tourist cottages are also available for staying tourists. Kalpeni is part of Coral Reef and Coconut Grove Packages.

Bangaram

An uninhabited island, Bangaram is the only one open to foreign tourists. The teardrop-shaped island has superb beaches and beautiful lagoons. The wealth of coral formation (incl black coral) attracts a variety of tropical fish-angel, clown, butterfly, surgeon, sweetlip, snappers and groupers. There are also manta and sting rays, harmless sharks and green and hawkbill turtles. Windsurfing, scuba diving, parasailing, water skiing and snorkeling. Deep sea fishing is possible on local boats with crew.

Kadmath

Kadmath is 8 Kms long and 550 metres wide at the broadest point. In addition to the beautiful shallow lagoon on the west that forms an ideal spot for water sports, there is a narrow lagoon on the east. The best attractions are the long sandy beaches and small sand banks on the southern tip for sunbaths. Kadmath has been identified for staying tourists with its tourist huts aesthetically situated in the coconut palm groves in the beaches facing the lagoon. The place is ideal for a real holiday that brings you away from the maddening crowd, hustle and bustle of city life.

Agatti

Agatti has one of the most beautiful lagoons in Lakshadweep. The airport is built on this island. From the aircraft, as you approach for landing, you get 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 operates daily (except Sunday) flights to Agatti from Kochi making it one of the most accessible islands in Lakshadweep. Agatti has one of the most beautiful lagoons in Lakshadweep. The airport is built on this island.