Page 652 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - India

650  SOUTH INDIA

q Lakshadweep Islands
Cherbaniani Reef LAKSHADWEEP
Formerly the Laccadives, the Lakshadweep ISLANDS
Islands are an archipelago of 36 exquisite Byramgore Reef
coral islands, with untouched beaches
and verdant coconut groves, scattered Chetlat Island
off the Kerala coast in the Arabian Sea. Bitra Island
With a total land area of only 32 sq km Kiltan Island
(12 sq miles), Lakshadweep (which means Perumulappara Kadmat Island
100,000 islands) is the smallest Union Amindivi Island
Territory in India. The atolls enclose Bangaram Island Pitti Island Androth Island
shallow lagoons harbouring India’s richest Agatti Island
diversity of coral varieties, and a multitude Kavaratti Island
of colourful reef fish. Only two islands –
Bangaram and Kadmat – are open to Suheli Island
foreign visitors, while Indian visitors have Kalpeni Island
a choice of six; all the islands offer superb
snorkelling and scuba-diving.

0 kilometres 100
0 miles 50
Minicoy Island
Wind-surfing in the Lakshadweep Islands
Kavaratti Island Agatti Island available, including sailing. A
450 km (280 miles) W of Kochi. 55 km (34 miles) NW of Kavaratti health certificate from a doctor
4 Open to Indian passport Island. ~ 4 Open to Indian is required for diving.
holders only.  passport holders only. 
Lakshadweep’s administrative Lakshadweep’s only airport is Kadmat Island
headquarters, Kavaratti is the on Agatti Island. It has a fine 70 km (43 miles) N of Kavaratti
busiest island, and home to a lagoon and offers easy access Island. 4 
large number of mainlanders, for day visits to the uninhab ited Thickly covered with palm trees,
most of whom work for the islands of Bangaram, Tinnakara Kadmat Island has two fine
government. It has beautiful and Parali I and II. Although lagoons, to the east and west.
white beaches, and its crystal- all visitors arriving by plane The Water Sports Institute
clear lagoon is popular with must go through Agatti, the offers canoeing, kayaking and
water sports enthusiasts. island itself is not open to glass-bottomed boat rides,
There are 52 mosques foreign visitors. and the Lacadives Dive School,
on the island that cater to on the same premises, offers
the predominantly Muslim Bangaram Island
population. The Ujra Mosque 58 km (36 miles) NW of Kavaratti.
(restricted entry) has an ornate 4 
ceiling, carved from driftwood. The uninhabited Bangaram
The island also has a Marine Island is covered with dense
Aquarium, which displays a groves of coconut palms and
variety of tropical fish and corals. has lovely sandy beaches.
The Bangaram Island Resort,
run by Casino Hotels of Kochi,
has about 30 rooms as well
as a restaurant and bar. Its
lagoon, rich with corals and
tropical fish, is excellent for
scuba diving and snorkelling.
Visitors can also choose from Snorkelling in Lakshadweep Islands’
Sea life off Kavaratti Island the variety of water sports crystal-clear waters
For hotels and restaurants in this region see p703 and pp718–19

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