Andaman & Nicobar Islands    Diu  Goa   Gopalpur- on -Sea  Kovalam   Lakshadweep   Varkala   Mahabalipuram

Andaman & Nicobar

On the east coast of India, the rich forested islands of Andaman and Nicobar lie scattered in the Bay of Bengal. There are 362 volcanic islands of which only 37 are inhabited. They form an idyllic archipelago of gleaming white sandy beaches, a crystal-clear turquoise sea teeming with fish, and picturesque coral reefs. The lush green islands have a colourful historical past, with strings of invasions by the French, Dutch, Japanese and British, setting off raging wars between the settlers and the native tribes. The Cellular Jail, where hundreds of Indian revolutionaries were imprisoned during the Indian freedom struggle, still stands. Descendents of these political prisoners and the local tribes of the area are the inhabitants of modern day Andaman and Nicobar.

The tropical rain forests that loom close to the seashore are home to unique species of birds, and to tribes that still haven't learned to use fire. Andaman is an experience quite unlike any other.

Sunbathe in the mellow sun as you sip from a fresh coconut. Then swim out into the waves where dolphins and many-hued fish will give you company. The clear waters of the Andamans are ideal for snorkelling and scuba diving. The best beaches are at Wandour, Corbyn's Cove, Jolly Buoy and Ross Island.

What To See

Cellular Jail Built by the British in the early part of the century. Now a memorial to Indian prisoners. A son-et-lumiere is held here.

Around Port Blair the waters around Andaman have spectacular bio-diversity, and dive conditions that are ideal for an experienced diver.

Cinque Island One of the best dive destinations in the island, it has clear emerald water with a visibility of up to 80 feet. The deep dive offers a terrific variety of marine life including back coral and sightings of sharks.

Rutland Island The shallow waters here have a good representation of most smaller fish and coral, and a good place for training open water divers.

Snake Island Has awesome rock faces and a spectacular dive landscape. Marine life includes Trigger fish, Grunts, Goatfish and Rays.

Havelock Island This island is approximately 4 hours from the Port Blair airport by inter-island ferry. The dive centre located on the island offers a wide range of largely unexplored dive sites rich in underwater marine life.

Best Time to Visit  Between November and May.

Mahabalipuram

South of Madras on the shores of Bay of Bengal, Mamallapuram was once a port city of the Pallava rulers. The temples and rock cut sculptures of that period create a unique blend of history and natural beauty. The monuments of Mamallapuram are excellent specimen of Dravidian temple architecture and Pallava art.

The art in the marvellous monuments with sculpted panels, caves, monolith rathas and temples lay emphasis on robust earthly beauties, imbibed with life. The sculptures are breathtakingly real and artistic. The Pallavas were followers of Jainism but the conversion of Mahendra Vernman to Shaivism had drastic consequences on the future of Jainism and it also explains the Shiva and Vishnu temple at Mamallapuram.

The Shore temple is perhaps the most photographed monument in India after Taj Mahal. The temple is floodlit in the night and is a pure visual delight. The pleasure of watching the monument in light with cool breeze from the sea has no comparison. Mamallapuram attracts tourists from all over the globe to its monumental splendour and sunny beaches.

Nine caves with carving from Indian mythology These caves are famous for their real life depiction of incidents from the Hindu Mythology. There are Bas-reliefs in the various caves. Vishnu is seen in the cosmic sleep in Mahishasuramardhini cave. In contrast to peace here, the other portrayals of Goddess Durga is fighting the buffalo headed Demon.

Arjuna's Penance The world's largest stone has relief on a huge rock facing the sea with sculptures depicting scenes from the Mahabharata. This carving on the rock wall is the largest Bas-relief in the world. The rock is in the shape of a whale and it faces the sea.

The Rathas Five monolithic chariot temples dedicated to Hindu gods. Also known as Pancha Pandava Rathas. Although there are eight temples, people recognize only five. It is said that the five Rathas represent the five chariots used by the Pandavas. Four of these temples have been scooped out of one single rock. The imposing Gopurams and sculptured pillars & walls give us a glimpse of the style which was adopted in constructing temples all over Tamil Nadu.

Shore Temple Built in the 8th century AD, it is one of the oldest temples is South India. - This magnificent temple was recently included in the world heritage monuments. A huge wall has been built on one side to prevent it from further erosion since some carvings have almost disappeared. The shore temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva. But the carvings inside the temple remain intact. The temple looks particularly beautiful in the night when lit.

The Tiger Caves This was originally an open air theatre used to organise cultural programmes and activities. The sculpture of lions and tigers on the entrance of the cave gives it the name of Tiger Caves.

Goa

Goa is a tiny speck of sun-drenched, palm-fringed, hillock-speckled, lush-green-field-dappled paradise, skirted by white-topped sprays of salty blue waves. But then, Goa is a lot of things. This little seaside state, with an identity that's a seamless blend of Latino influence and Indian tradition, was crackling enough to have been one of the Millennium destinations of the world.

The essence of Goa lies in its marvelous expanses of palm-fringed beaches and azure-blue seas, all warmed by the sun and local hospitality. Goa is all about relaxed lifestyle, enlivened by the Goan love for music and dance, spiced up by its superb cuisine. Summers on the golden sands, winters in the warm waters, or soaking in the Goan rains - Goa is exhilarating round the year. The scenic splendor of Goa simply dazzles as nature bares her treasures, unfolding miles and miles of glorious vistas of rivers, ponds, wooded hills and valleys. Whitewashed churches and temples at strategic points heighten the effect.

There's more to Goa than sun, sand and natural beauty. The allure is quite distinct from the rest of India - it's not just the familiar remnants of European colonialism or the picture book exoticism that makes it so accessible, it's the prevalence of a form of social and political progressiveness that westerners feel they can relate to. Goans are friendly and happy-go-lucky. They are fond of the good things in life and are certainly not caught up in the rat race.

What To See

Panaji Panaji, the Capital of Goa, on the banks of the river Mandovi, was originally a major port. It still retains the old, narrow streets in Fontainhas. The Church of our Lady of the Immaculate Conception is one of the oldest buildings (circa 1541) in the city. An evening cruise on the river is a must. Here you get a beautiful view of the capital. There are refreshments and traditional entertainment on board.

Old Goa 10 km east of Panaji, Old Goa was the capital of Goa during Portuguese rule. This has given it a rich architectural legacy of many beautiful churches like the Basilica of Bom Jesus, Se Cathedral and the Church of St. Francis of Assisi.

Fort Aguada Built by the Portuguese in 1612 to defend Goa, the fort is now better known as the location of the Taj Group's luxury resort. Walk along the keyhole shaped jetty for a superb view of the coast from Sinquerim almost up to Baga, and then, walk up the hill to see the citadel and the 1864 lighthouse. The fort also has a prison that is no longer in use.

Beaches: North to South Querim, Arambol, Mandrem, Morjim, Vagator, Anjuna, Baga, Calangute, Candolim, Sinquerim, Vainguinim, Siridao Bogmalo, Velsao, Arossim, Utorda, Majorda, Betalbatim, Colva, Benaulim, Varca, Cavelossim, Betul, Palolem.

Best Time to Visit: High Season November to March, Low Season April to October

Kovalam

The sheltered coves, the picture perfect tropical beaches, the palm-fringed bays in secluded coconut groves, the surf shampooing the shores ... all these make Kovalam a beach-bummers delight. Like Calangute, Anjuna, and Colva in Goa, Kovalam has shed its hippy idyll.

Sip organic juices while you watch the fishermen heave their heavy wooden boats into the sea and cast their massive nets. These traditional vellams and catamarans have been used for years. Be there when they bring their catch early in the morning, and you'll be able to strike a bargain for some fresh barracuda, sea bass, catfish, tiger prawns, crabs, sardine, tuna, seerfish, pomfret, or mullet that you can get grilled at any of the stalls on the beachfront.

During the day, sprawl on the white sand in the mellow glow of the winter sun and enjoy the tropical fruit: succulent ripe mangoes, papaya, grapes, coconut water, bananas and pineapple. Then settle down for another snooze.

Beaches Hawah Beach and Lighthouse Beach are where the action is.

Cuisine: Try the sea food, especially the prawns and lobsters.

Ayurveda: Ayurveda is the traditional Indian art of healing. There are a number of ayurveda spas in Kovalam. Some offer just an oil massage, while others offer intensive treatments that last upto 21 days and include a special diet and daily massages.

An ayurveda shala you could enroll yourself at is the Kovalam beach village complex of Chowara near the Kovalam Vizhinjam tourist trail. Dr Franklin's is a specialized boutique ayurveda shala that offers you neat little cottages in its institute near the seashore.

Diu

Diu is a Portuguese colony like Goa. An off-shore island on the western coast, off the Gulf of Cambay, this coast has limestone cliffs, rocky coves and sandy beaches, the best of which are at Nagoa. Nagoa Beach is one of the best beaches of India, at the Nagoa hamlet in the village of Burcharwada. This horse-shaped beach, which is a 2 km stretch, is exceptionally beautiful and quiet.

A massive fort built by Portuguese dominates the skyline. Diu is connected to the mainland by a narrow channel on the north with no commercial explertation or environmental degradation, it offers pristine golden beaches, palmgroves and monuments of yester years. Nagoa, Jallandhar, Gomatimata and Chakratirth beaches are some of the popular beaches.

For those wanting to do some exploring, the battlement of Div Fort, St Paul's and St Thomas churches, temples of Dwarka, Somnath, Palitana and Sansan Gir Sanctuary are perfect places to visit.

Gopalpur- on -Sea

On the east coast of Orissa, this quiet beach is ideal for boating and yachting. It is a surfer's delight and excellent for sailing. A golden beach fringed by sand dunes and ruins of an old jetty from where, in medieval times, sailors set out to Indonesia, make this an ideal place for a relaxing holiday. A perfect beach, fairly isolated and undisturbed by the day-trippers.

The hot springs of Taptapani are an hour's drive from here. It is known to be a splendid retreat for sea worshippers, located about 16-km from Berhampur. You can still see the crumbling walls and pillars of the jetty which are witness to its past glory of commercial activity.

With an increase in tourist trade in the late seventies, and the opening of luxury hotels, a slow revival began and today Gopalpur-On-Sea is one of the foremost beach resorts in India.

Lakshadweep

Be warned. There are some things that are really hard to find in Lakshadweep. Like fast cars, shrinks, or tranquilizers. They do have all that water though! Bright and clear as liquid glass.

Expect lush coconut groves, tranquil lagoons and long stretches of white sun-drenched beaches where the only sounds are the crash of waves and the breeze blowing through the palm trees. In Lakshadweep, nature is unspoilt, undisturbed and serene. The only throngs you'll ever see are of the sandpipers on the shore. Watch the spectacular marine life (sharks, green turtles, barracudas, corals, oriental sweetlip fish, hawksbill), or sleep by the sea with the night sky as your ceiling ... therapy has never felt better. Geographically similar to that other divers' haunt, Lakshadweep is like the Maldives without the crowds. Situated in the Arabian Sea, 400 kilometers off the coast of Kerala, this group of 36 coral islands and atolls can be reached by a twenty-hour sea journey from Kochi (formerly Cochin).

The five islands that are inhabited are Kavaratti, Kalpeni, Kadmat, Minicoy and Bangaram. They are ideal for fishing, yachting, diving, snorkelling, and deep sea fishing. Only two islands, Bangaram and Kadmat, are open to non Indians. There are dive centers on both these islands.

Dive Sites

Around Kadmat Island Surrounded on the eastern and western side by the lagoon, Kadmat is a haven of solitude. This little island, which was once a trading post for the ancient Romans, has an astonishing variety of marine flora and fauna. Some of the dive sites defy description … they are ethereal moments of pure wonder.

The Wall A wall of soft coral starting at 12 meters and cascading down to the deep blue. Dive amongst turtles as resplendent as their surroundings.

Sting Ray City A 21 meter dive along the sand dunes, abundant with Sting Rays.

Cross Currents Located between the islands of Amini and Kadmat, drift dive along with schools of Snapper, Fusilier and Sharks at 15-21 meters.

Jack Point A drift dive between 21-30 meters with different types of fish like Jack Fish and King Fish.

Garden of Eden An abundance of table coral at 12-25 meters along with varieties of small fish and Groupers.

East Channel Located between 9-20 meters an abundance of soft coral and tuna.

Varkala

What makes the coastline of Varkala exceptional is its landscape. Towering cliffs that stand like silent sentinels, guarding the sparkling waters, back the beach. Highly unusual land formations, the sheerness of the cliffs, and the view from atop, simply astound the visitors. Shining white sands, cloudless skies touching the blue water and the red soil of the hilltop, coupled with yellow-green paddy fields, and green coconut trees, make a composite picture of the beauty and awesomeness of nature. Nature in its pristine glory remains so untouched that to get to the secluded part of the beach, one has to either scramble over rocks during high tide or climb down the cliff. With constant use, a path of sorts has been worn into the hill face. However, the state government does have development plans for its inland waterways that will, in time, have an effect on the growth of Varkala. 

Sivagiri Mutt is the samadhi (memorial) of Shri Narayana Guru, spiritual leader and social reformer of Kerala. A man much ahead of his times, he propagated the idea of one caste, one religion, and one God. His discourses were conducted mainly in and around Varkala. Located about 2.5 km from the town, on the banks of the Thiruvananthapuram-Shornur canal, Sivagiri Mutt is visited by thousands of Hindu pilgrims, annually.

Most people, who visit Sivagiri, also make it a point to go to Janardhana Swami Temple. This temple is situated close to Varkala's beach.

Ironically enough, much before Varkala became known, internationally, for its sandy stretch, the beach, named Papanasam, was already well known to pilgrims in Kerala. Considered an auspicious site, during the season of Karkkidakavavu, special pujas for invoking departed souls are conducted here. Varkala and its 3 km stretch of beach beckons the jaded and the travel weary.