Thursday, December 17, 2009

DIU - The island, the beach, the waves, the sun and the fun.

 
-->Diu has inspired me to write this blog. Being located in western part of India and south Gujarat, it is probably one of the most peaceful islands of Indian subcontinent. If you are a person born and raised in a metropolitan you would fall in love with this paradise. I have tried my best to provide maximum travel information in this blog about Diu.
Please feel free to email any suggestions to me on mrugesh.thaker@gmail.com

LOCATION: Diu is an Island city, district and a part on union territory. Diu is located in the southern region of Saurashtra. Saurashtra region is the western part of Gujarat state in India. Diu is separated from the mainland Gujarat by a tidal creek. With 3 beautiful beaches around it, Diu is not a part of Gujarat. Diu is administrated by the central government. It has an area of 40 square kilometers.




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HISTORY: No history is available about since when the island is inhabited. In 1535 the emperor of Gujarat allowed Portuguese to construct a fort and maintain a garrison on the island. He allowed Portuguese to build a fort as a part of building a defensive alliance against the emperor of India, Humayun. Diu was under the Portuguese rule from 1545 until 1961.The Indian army got the island back from Portuguese in 1961

A MAJOR TOURIST SPOT : Because of sunny beaches and beautiful sunset, Diu attracts a lot of tourists. Nagoa beach, Chakrateerth beach and Ghoghla beach are 3 best beaches in Diu. There are 3 churches and a Shiv Temple. A seashell museum, bird watch tower, Diu fort, fortim-do-mar (Pani kotha), the caves of Nayda are main attractions of Diu. One can enjoy watching dolphins in months of December to February, Tourism is the heart of Diu. In

BEACHES:

Nagoa beach: is a horseshoe shaped beach with various water sports facilities. A perfect and safe beach to swim and rest in the sunny weather. Napping under palm trees in cool breeze makes the experience memorable.

Ghoghla beach: is the largest and gentlest beach of Diu. You can do swimming, sunbathing, parasailing, surfing etc.

Chakrateerth beach: although no watersports and other activities are available, you can love the sandy beach. It has a beautiful sunset point and a memorial of Indian battleship INS Khukri which was destroyed by Pakistan in the 1971 war (It was the only Indian ship destroyed by Pakistan in the battle)

RELIGIOUS PLACES: 


Gangeshwar Mahadev: Gangeshwar Mahadev is 3 kilometers from the Jethibai Bus Terminus of Diu. This beautiful and sacred place has 5 shiv-lingams. The Shiv-lingam gets an abhishek by the ocean when it is on high tide. The legend is that the Pandavas worshipped load Shiva here during their exile.

St.Paul's Church: St.Paul is a beautiful church dedicated to Virgin Mary. Built in 1610. It is perhaps one of the most elaborated Portuguese churches in India. The architecture style is lot like the churches of Goa. It is known for one of the best craftsmanship on the wood. St.Paul church would attract those seeking peace and god.

St.Francis Church: This church was built in 1593. It is still a place to worship. However, the cloister is used as a hospital.

St.Thomas Church: It was built in Gothic style in 1598. Been converted into a museum, it has stone carving from earlier rulers, wooding carving, idols and antique statues. It looks beautiful in the evening when multicolored fountains and special lighting decorates the building.

OTHER PLACES:


Fortim-do-mar (Pani kotha) : A stone structure (a fort) built between the sea. Approximately a nautical mile from the mainland Diu. It also has a lighthouse and a place dedicated to the lady of the sea. Tourist boats are available to reach the Pani kotha.

Sea Shell museum: A unique and amazing museum for lovers of ocean life. Sea shells and several interesting sea creatures are displayed under the magnifying glass. There are approximately 2500 seashells in the museum.

Diu Fort: Among all the places, the Diu fort has a prominent position in the places of tourist interest. It is a huge and impressive structure. It was constructed between 1535 and 1541 by the Portuguese, the fort has gorgeous view of the sea and Panikotha. You feel the history and battle fought by gallant soldiers.

INS Khukri Memorial: It was inaugurated on 15th December, 1999 in memory of the heroic sailors and officer who chose not to stop fighting and leave ship until it completely sank. INS Khukri was a frigate of the Indian navy. In the war of 1971 three torpedoes shot by Pakistani navy sank it. It sank 40 nautical miles from Diu taking down 8 officers and 186 sailors. Except having a chance to save his life, captain Mahendra Nath Mulla (Mahavir Chakra winner) chose to go down with the warship. An example of spirit and courage of Indian navy officers. It was the one and the only ship destroyed by the Pakistani navy. Indian navy finished the whole Pakistani navy and the port of Karachi in just 48 hours.

SPEACIAITY - Those who are interested in food, Diu has a special variety for them which is found no where else in the country. It is called Hoka (Hyphoena indica) the only Indian tree which has African genus. Portuguese brought them from Africa. Surprisingly Diu has a great number of these trees. Probably because it is believed that the western part of Gujarat (the Saurashtra region) was the part of African mainland in Triassic age. The fruit of Hoka tree is tasty and edible. Hoka fruits are believed to be good for heart.

Diu Marine department has now started a ferry service where one can see Dolphines. The ferry operates 2.30 to 3.30 pm Monday to Friday. In months of winter only.

TRANSPORTATION: Rickshaws, private buses and cars are available in Diu. However, the best way to explore Diu is on Bicycle or a motorcycle. Your can hire a Bicycle at $2 (approximately Rs.100.00) a day and Motorcycle at $4.00 (approximately Rs.300.00) a day.

HOW TO GET THERE:
By air: Diu has an operational airport of Jet airways. There is a flight from Mumbai to Diu twice a week.

By train: The nearest major railway station is Veraval which is 90 kilometers from Diu. Veraval is connected to major cities like Ahmedabad and Mumbai. There are two daily trains to Veraval from Ahmedabad. More information on Indian Railways Website

By road: Private Luxury Coaches, Gujarat State transport buses are available from every major city of western India. Gujarat State Road Transport (Bus) Website

WHERE TO STAY: Diu has a wide range of hotels offering comfortable accommodation and food. From a 3 star hotel costing $60.00 per day to a discount hotel costing $6.00 per day. Below is the list of good hotels to stay:

3 star hotels and Resorts : (Rs.1400 to Rs.3000. Approximately $30.00 to $70.00) The Azzaro resortThe Radhika beach resort , The Sugati beach resort and Hotel Kohinoor

Delux hotels : (Rs,1000 to Rs.1700. Approximately $20.00 to $34.00) The Hoka resort, Hotel Ankur, Hotel Galaxy, Hotel Triveni and Hotel Alishan

Discount / Budget hotels : (Rs.500 to Rs.800. Approximately $12.00 to $20.00) -Hotel Aavkar and Hotel Sukoon.

FAMOUS PLACE NEARBY : The Jyotirlingam of Somnath is 2 hours from Diu. It is one of most important Shiva temples in India. It attracts 100,000 tourists every year. For wildlife lovers, the Lionsanctury of Gir is only 2 hours drive from Diu. It is the only place in the world where one can see Asiatic  lions in their natural habitat.

Diu is also known for its seafood and liquor. As the Gujarat state has prohibition on liquor, the liquor lovers visit Diu to enjoy.

28 comments:

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  2. Very nice post, I think it's nice place and i must have to visit. Thanks for sharing information.

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  3. I visited India last year, I hope to get back to Andhra Pradesh next year. That beach looks lovely. There are so many great places that are less well known

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  4. I visited many times, But i never seen INS Khukri Memorial. Thanks for sharing information about this place.I will surely visited INS Khukri Memorial next time.

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  6. wanna know more bout India, especially Mumbai and Bombay.
    keep it up... roger n out

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  7. Well done Esh, looks lovely :) when i win the lotto i'll look it up :)

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  8. This is an awesome blog..very informative & good with all the wonderful posts..Really enjoyed..I will keep checking your wonderful site for new posts.

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  9. hey thats really nice one...... nw i think i shuld visit diu in my christmas vacation.......... its cheap and so is affordable...... if anyone has such info i dont think he has to ask anyone out ther abt anything.......... thats sheer awsomn keep it up :)-- shardul

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  10. Great Blog with lots of good information about Diu...after reading this blog a m very much curious about visiting Diu..i will surely plan a trip to there. - Worlds Most Amazing Things, Amazing Photos, Amazing Facts - http://worldmostamazingthings.blogspot.com

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  14. Got only one day time to visit Diu amid my tight schedule.
    Reaching in morning and leaving next morning.
    I know I cant visit all the places of Diu in a day.. so any suggestions as what to see and what can be missed?

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  15. nice shot for the sunset..
    i can't imagine that there are beautifulplaceslike this one..
    great places indeed.
    love it

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  16. Good stuff here. Will definitely be useful for me so I will have to sign up and see what I can get to help me. Thank for this.

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  17. Hi!
    Thank you for visiting my blog!
    I enjoy reading yours too!
    Have a nice blogging journey.

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  18. Great Blog with lots of good information about Diu...after reading this blog a m very much curious about visiting Diu.if anyone has such info i don't think he has to ask anyone out there about anything.......... that's sheer awesome keep it up

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  22. This is very nice information to us. I like this post . if do you want to know about Taj Mahal India,Delhi Agra Tour, Taj Mahal Tour Packages, taj mahal tour,Golden Triangle Tours, and visit it.

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  23. one can visit Diu. It provides different types of accommodation facilities.

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  24. i love div..it is my..allways faverit destinetion..

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  25. i love div..it is my..allways faverit destinetion..

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