General Information
Area : 32 sq kilometers
Population : 60, 595 (2001)
Location : 8° and 12° North Latitude, 71° and 74° East Longitude. It is 220 to 440 km off the Malabar Coast, Kerala, India
Total Islands : 36
Languages Spoken : Malayalam and Mahl
Max Temp : 32° C
Min Temp : 27°C
Humidity : 70-75%
Climate : Tropical
Introduction :
One of world's most spectacular tropical island syatems, Lakshadweep is tucked awya at 220-440 Kms. off the Malabar coast. The islands offer a precious heritage of ecology & culture. The unique feature of the island is its coral reef, making it a pristine leisure spotto come back to 4200sq.kms. of lagoon, rich in marine wealth, is spread over 36 islands in an area of about 32 sq.kms.
The underwater view at Lakshadweep is kaleidoscopic & breathtaking. The lagoon offers excellent potential for water sports like swimming, wind-surfing diving, snorkelling & kayaking. No wonder, Lakshadweep is fast becoming India's one of its kind " Adventure Sport - Nature Tourism " Location.
Lakshadweep means a hundred thousand islands. Each island is fringed by snow white coral sands. The crystl clear water & abundant marine life enhance the beauty of these islands. Against the vast expanse of the blue sea, the islands look like emeralds. The huge shallow calm lagoon on one side with wall like reef made marine live coral boulders blocks the incoming swells of the outer sea. The islands are linked to the maimland by ship, helicopter, passenger aircrafts & mechanised sailing wooden vessels. The islands like AGATI & Bangaram can be reahced by air & the other islands can be reached by ship from Cochin. In all the islands elaborate infrastructure is in place to meet the needs of tourists.
A brief Pre-History and History
Although theories on the ormation of the islands abound, the most accepted one is attributed to Sir Charies Darwin, the reowned evolutionist. He opined that the base of the islands below the reef is a volcanic layer over which corals settled and turned into atolls, over a period of time. The atolls consisting of the islands & lagoon are in various stages of development. The smaller lagoons are virtually filled with sediments. The larger ones are deeper in the range of 10-16 metres. The enchanting aspect of these islands is due to the Coral Reef, biologically fromed over many centuries. As of now, it extends along the coast, giving Lakshadweep its unique staure.
The spectacular island group is belived to have been discovered by shiowrecked sailors during the reign of Cheraman Perumal, the lagendary king of Kerala in the 4th century AD. Before moving into the hands of the British, Tippu Sultan held sway in the islands after defeating the opressive rulers of Arackal.
The Union Territory was formed in 1956 & it was named Lakshadweep in 1973. All the islands now constitute one district for Administration with four Tehsils.
Climate & Temparature
These islands have a humid, warm & generally pleasant climate. The temparature is 1640 mm, Annual rainfall decreass from South to North. It is found that 80-90-days a year are rainy. Winds are light to moderate during October to March.
Qualifying Seasons
The temparature increases from South to North. April & May are the hottest months with an average temparature os 32° C. The relative humidity is 70-75%.
Languages, Manners, Customs
A dialect of Mahalayam is spoken in the inhabited islands. In Minicoy, Mahi is the language used. There is very little difference in the customs & the manners of th people despite a few cultural differences. Marriages are arranged by parents excepts in Minicoy where courting is prevelent. Arranged marriages are common & the negotiations originate from the brides family.
While in Minicoy the groom is selected from the same social & economic strata, maternal uncle's son is the first choice in all the other islands. The ' Nikah ' takes place in the Mosque or at the bride's residence. In Minicoy the marriage ceremony is relatively simple. The expenses for the functions are borne by the bridegroom's family. An interesting feature of Minicoy is the absence of the parents from certain functions related to the marriage. The average household has 3-4 rooms. Minimum furniture is used in homes. A swinging cot is a very common feature.
Rice is the stapkle food of the people. As a rule the people are non-vegetarians. Coconut is widely used. The manner of dressing of the people is simple & similar to the Muslims of the Malabar coast. The territory has a closely-knit community life.
Folk Arts
Kolkali & Parichakali are the two popular folk art forms in the Territory. They are an integral part of the cultural milieu except in Minicoy where " Lava ' is the most popular dance form. Some of the folk dances have a resemblance with those in North Eastern India.
For marriages " Opana " is a common feature, a song sung by a lead singer & followed by a group of women. Picnics are a common leisure activity in Minicoy. The widely celebrated festivals are Idulfitr, Bakrid, Milad-Ul-Nabi & Muharram.
Status of Women
Women of the Territory enjoy a higher social status & economic freedom than their counterparts elsewhere in the country. The Matrilineal route of inheritance through the females keep the women folk independent. Divorce is accepted & encouraged. The predominance of woman in every walk of life is a noteworthy feature in Minicoy, especially.
Agatti
Location : 10° - 51* latitude 72° - 11* longitude, located 459 Kms from Cochin. 6 Kms long & 100 mtrs wide.
Climate : Hot. In Agatti, coral growths & multi coloured coral fishes abound in its lagoons. The climate of the island is hot when compared to the islands in the rest of the group. Fishing is the most important industary of Agatti which is perhaps the only island besides Minicoy getting surplus fish. Next to fishing, coir & copra are the main industries. Agatti is the airport stopover from Cochin & Goa on the way to Bangaram which can be seen on the northern horizon. Agatti offers fully furnished resorts managed by a private entrepreneur. The main attraction at the resorts is the water sport facilities. A medical centre with qualified doctors functions at Agatti.
Andrott
Location : 10° - 49* North latitude 73° - 41* East longitude, located 293 Kms from Cochin.Andrott is the nearest island to the mainland & has an east-west orientation unlike other lying in the north-south direction. It is the largest island in Lakshadweep, Thick vegetation, mainly coconut groves, add to the beauty of the island. It was the first island to embrace Islam. The Saint Ubaidullah, who is believed to have converted the people of the islands into Islam, died here & his tomb still remains in the Juma'ath Mosque. Religious prechers from here are held in high esteem. Fishing indusatry is well develope , next only to Minicoy & Agatti. Coir & Copra are the major products of the island.
Amini
Location : 11° -071* north latitude 72° - 44* east longitude, located 407 Kms from Cochin.
Land Area : It is 3 Kms. long & 1.5 Kms. wide with ablong shape. Coral sand stone is used for building purpose. Talented craftsmen living here are famous for making walking with tortoise shells & coconut shells. It's also famous for stone engravers & has a rich tradition of folk songs. The island got its name from the Arabic word ' Amini ' meaning "faithful".
Bangaram
Location : 10° - 56* latitude 72° - 17* longitude, located 459 Kms from Cochin.
Climate : Warm round the year. Rainfall is limited & the temparature duringmonsoon is 25-27° C. A bewitchingly beautiful & breathtaking island in the Lakshadweep, Bangaram is un-inhabited. It is surrounded by a shallow lagoon enclosed by coral reef. It has been ranked among th ebest getawyas of the world. Here the sun, sand & surf in harmony casting a spell on the visitor. It offers utmost privacy unpolluted comfort with crystal clear water. Sparking coral reef & blue lagoon perform magic on the soul searching traveller. It's a place where a Hemingway would create a classic or a Van Gogh would paint a mastrepiece. And who knows the muse may inspire one to create too. A matchless sense of well being takes over & one begins to discover the graceful fishes, porcupines, parrots, pufferfishes, hermit crabs & sea birds on the vast 120 acres of lush coconut groves in Bangaram.
Bitra
Location : 11° - 36* North latitude 72° - 10* East longitude, located 483 Kms from Cochin.Bitra is the smallest inhabited island in the territory. Till 1835 Bitra was the breeding ground for a number of seabirds, a favorite haunt of Kiltan & Chetlat people. There is a small shrine of Malik Mulla, an old Arsb Saint who is said to have been buried here.The shrine is a place of pilgrimage for the people of other islands. Surprisingly the first permanent settler at Bitra was a woman from Chetlat who with her son set up a permanent house around 1945.
Chetlat
Location : 11° - 41* North latitude 72° - 43* East longitude, located 432 Kms from Cochin. Chetlat is the northern most inhabited island. Coir twisting is the chief occupoation of the people here. The coconut yield is poor & income is mearge. Manufacture of mats & weaving of coconut leaves are spare time industries here. The island suffered a great dea at the hands of the Portuguese in the 16 th century. Boat building was a flourishing industry at the beginning of the century when all the vessels needed by the Amindivi islanders were built here.
Kadmat
Location : 11° - 13* latitude 72° - 47* East longitude, located 407 Kms from Cochin. Land Area : 8 Kms. long & 550 mtres at the broadest point. It has a very large lagoon on the western side with abundent coral growth. Long sandy beaches & excellent water sport facilities are the stellar attractions here. Main occupation of the people is coir twisting. It is famous for its lime stones used for building purposes. In addition to the beautiful shallow lagoon on the west that forms an ideal spot for water sport, there is narrow lagoon on the east.
Kalpeni
Location : 10° - 05* North latitude 73° - 39* East longitude, located 287 Kms from Cochin. It also known for its scenic beauty & the small Tilakam & Pitti & 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 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 girls first went to school. Water sport crafts are given on hire; two bathing huts with change-rooms are avaible.
Kavarati
Location : 10° - 33* North latitude 72° - 38* East longitude, located 404 Kms from Cochin. It is the headquarters of the U.T. Administration since 1964. You have enough time explore the island. The beautiful calm lagoon forms an ideal spot for water sports, swimming & basking on warm sandy beaches.Marine life exhibits can be seen at the new marine aquarium which has excellent collection os spcimens. The Dolphin Dive Centre is another attraction for watre sports enthausaists.
Kiltan
Location : 11° - 29* North latitude 73° - 04* East longitude, located 394 Kms from Cochin. Kiltan lies 51 Kms.north-east of Amini on the international trade route between the Persian Gulf & Sri Lanka. The island is only 3 Kms. long. On the northern & southern ends of the island there is a high storm beach. The island is thick in flora & is fertile. The summer nights in Kiltan are warmer & it is usual for the people to sleep outside their homes, on the beaches. Kiltan has a rich tradition of folk dances.
Minicoy
Location : 8° - 17* North latitude 73° - 04* East longitude, located 398 Kms from Cochin. It is about 10.6 Kms. long; it is the second largest island, the first being Andrott. It is the southern most island in Lakshadweep, crescent shaped & has one of the largest lagoons. Viringili is the small islet that can be seen on the south. Minicoy is set apart from the northern group of islands by its culture; the islanders are employed as seamen in ocean going vessels the world over. Traditionally all powers to manage village affairs are vested in him. Each village has a village house beautifully decorated & Maintained.
