Daman and Diu Travel Guide
The union territories of Daman and Diu lie on the edge of the southern borders of Gujarat, in western India. The northern side of the isolated island, Diu, facing Gujarat, is made of tidal marsh and saltpans, while the southern coast alternates between limestone cliffs, rocky coves and sandy beaches.Daman boasts of a rich historical heritage spanning over more than 2000 years. The district of Daman of the erstwhile Union Territory of Goa, Daman & Diu is situated in the Surat District of Gujarat. Daman is just 160 km from Mumbai, 110 km from surat, 300 km from Baroda and about 400 kms from Ahmedabad. and in particular, the drive from Mumbai is a pleasant road journey. Daman represents a mingling of tribal, urban, European and Indian cultures which is evident from the traditional dances of this place. Various forms of Portuguese dance are well-preserved and are widely presented. Tribal dances with caustic social comment are very much in vogue. Dance and music form part of the daily life of the local people. Known for their beaches and exotic liquors, these twin islands are a tourist's haven for escaping the cacophony of mundane life. Be it the rich historic past or the faint songs of the anglers, everything in Daman and Diu assist in creating a paradise for one in search of tranquility. The forts and churches of the past, and the pubs of today, combine to engender a strange ambience of nostalgia and experience.
Places which you can see here Fort, Moti Daman; Fort, Nani Daman; Light House (in Moti Daman Fort), Bom Jesus Church and Our Lady of Rosary Chapel (inside fort, Moti Daman fort) Our lady of Sea Church (inside Nani Daman fort), Hilsa Aquarium, Kachigam Water Tank, Nani Daman; Hathi Park, Moti Daman; Bridge Side Garden, Nani/Moti Daman; Municipal Children Park, Nani Daman. Dadra & Nagar Havelli is basically a tourist attraction. The customs and culture of the area's tribals are an excellent lesson in the diversity of humankind.
Daman has, what it takes and more, to gratify the whims of sun bathers, beachcombers, sight-seers, swimmers, monument lovers, shoppers and ultimate escapists .There is exquisite sea food to satisfy the palate: pomfret, prawn, dadha, Bombay duck, crab, the list is endless; while the quaint bars and modern restaurants satisfy the pleasures of life. Being a harmonious mix of people with varying faiths, Daman and Dicelebrates festivals of all faiths with equal joy and fervour. While Hindu festivals comprise Diwali, Bhai Duj, Holi, Raksha Bandhan, Diwasa, gokul Ashtami, and Navratri, the Muslim festivals comprise Id-ul-fitr, Id-ul-Zuha, Moharram, Id-e-Milad-un-Nabi. the drive from Mumbai is a pleasant road journey. Daman can boast of a rich and multi - faced cultural heritage. Dance and Music are very much part of the daily life of Damanite. Here is a true fusion of cultures - tribal, urban, European and Indian. Daman boasts of a rich historical heritage spanning over more than 2000 years. The district of Daman of the erstwhile Union Territory of Goa, Daman & Diu is situated in the Surat District of Gujarat. From 2nd Century A.D., it formed a part of the country known as Lata, which was one of the seven divisions of Konkan Vaishaya. In Diu the Chakratirth beach is a must visit with its open-air auditorium and changing rooms. The landscape gardens and the illuminated hills are a big draw at Chakratirth beach of Diu. The NaGoa beach rolls in the shape of a horseshoe. Here you will pulsate with the palms like the other tourists. Other popular and worth visiting beaches of Diu are Goghla, Kevdi, Gomatimala et al. The French Influence Dumas and Romain roll, and streets were Pondicherry's first and still among the most beautiful attractions.
This district retains much of the French ambience from the late 18th to the early 20th centuries. Only traces of the earliest European quarter of Pondicherry survived the destruction by the British in 1761. Click here for Hotels & Restaurants in Pondicherry. A Dutch Establishment Most interest in Pondy's history centers on the 18th century - the high point of French achievement under Governor Duplex. But Pondy has a lot more certifiable history than that. Indeed, the French and British were latecomers: the Dutch and the Danes had established a presence in Pondy before the first French settlement in 1674. And the Dutch retook the city for seven years until 1700. Nonetheless, the razing of Pondicherry was the culmination of a series of skirmishes, sieges and occupations between the French and British for control of the trade of South India. Between 1700 and 1818 the British occupied Pondy three times for a total of 34 years. It wasn't all one-sided, of course. The French took Madras and Fort St. Davids in this seesaw series of wars and peaces, conducted from Europe and fought in India with local rulers playing an important role.
Access to Daman & Diu: The Nearest rail head to Daman is Vapi (12 kms) on the Bombay-Ahmedabad line of western railway. Vapi, which lies on Bombay-Ahmedabad NH no.8 connects Daman by road to Bombay 193 km, Ahmedabad 367 km, Diu 763 km & Panaji via Bombay 787 km. Regular S.T.Bus services are available from Vapi, Bhilad and Valsad. Local buses, unmetered taxis and tongas are available from the railhead to other town.
Diu is well connected by Vayudoot services with Bombay and Ahmedabad. Nearest railhead is Delwada (9 km) connected via Veraval by metre gauge line. However Veraval (85 km) is the convenient railhead There are regular state transport bus services from Una, Delwada to Diu. Diu is also connected by direct bus services with Veraval, Kodinar and Bombay. Local Transport : Private buses and Auto rickshaws ply within the town.
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