People get there to get away, to escape from city stresses, to find solace in the unbridled, untouched pristine purity of this land of a thousand islands – as legend has it – to Lakshadweep, cast away from the world into a secluded retreat, strange yet so familiar. Lakshadweep is a haven off the Indian Ocean, a part of reality yet removed. It is a place where you discover nature garbed in its finest, and rediscover yourself.
Geography
Peak season is December to May, when it is cooler and drier. May to September is the main (southwest) monsoon season, but the rains can extend into the months of October November as well.
Climate
Lakshadweep, formerly known as the Laccadives, is a group of islands situated some 400 km off India’s west coast in the Arabian Sea. They have the distinction of being the country’s only coral atolls. Geologically, these corals are a part of the same chain as the one found in the Maldives.
Lakshadweep is India’s smallest union territory. The name literally means ‘a hundred thousand islands’ in Sanskrit. An exaggeration to be sure, given that it has 10 habitable islands and 17 uninhabited islands attached islets, four newly formed islets and five submerged reefs.
History
An island in the middle of the sea with stunning exotic sea life, neither fish or any other known amphibian, can inspire a thousand legends, one embedded in the name itself. Lakshadweep means ‘a hundred thousand islands’ in Malayalam, the local language.
The reality probably is less complex, though no less riveting and fascinating. The most prominent theory propounded, specifically about the formation of the beautiful coral atoll – and perhaps most accepted – was given by the Sir Charles Darwin in 1842. According to him the base of the islands below the reef is a volcanic formation over which corals settled and built fringing reefs, which transformed to barrier reefs and finally to atolls due to geological submergence of volcanic base.
Then came the people. According to legends, small settlements started in the islands of Amini, Kavaratti Andrott and Kalpeni first and later people from these islands moved to other islands of Agatti, Kiltan, Chetlat and Kadmat. The advent of Islam dates back to the 7th century. St. Ubaidulla of Mecca dreamt that prophet Mohammed wanted him to go to Jeddah, take a ship from there and go to distant places. While he was sailing near these small islands, a storm wrecked his ship. Floating on a plank he was swept ashore on the island of Amini. Ubaidulla started propagating Islam in the islands.
People
Four main communities dominate the Lakshadweep Islands – the Aminidivis, Koyas, Malmis and Melacheris. The Aminidivis are believed to have been the first people that settled here. The Koyas are generally landowners, while the Malmis work under them. The Melacheris are the main labour community on the islands with their primary profession involving gathering of nuts from coconut trees.
Given the geographical proximity to Kerala, the inhabitants of the islands are ethnically similar to their counterparts from the southern state.
The main languages spoken on the Lakshadweep Islands are Malayalam and Mahl, a form of Divehi popularly spoken in Minicoy. Other languages that the locals speak include Hindi, English, Tamil, Urdu, Oriya and Bengali.
The locals are mostly engaged in fishing and coconut cultivation.
Religion
The government consensus shows that the majority of the population follows Islam. The other faiths that the islanders follow are either Hinduism or Christianity.
Of the sea and from the sea, would be the easy answer, and so it is. The main cuisine here centres around seafood, however, there is ample consumption of vegetables as well. So vegetarians need not fret. Having said that though, non-vegetarian foodies would have afar more fun time, plunging headfirst into the tasty,s ucculent preparations, from seafood to Halal meat (given that the population is predominantly Muslim, this delicious way of eating meat comes as no surprise). The food is generally spicy and rich in coconut flavour.
Teetotallers rejoice! Consumption of alcohol is prohibited on all islands except Bangaram.
Islamic art and culture has a major influence on the lifestyle of the people of Lakshadweep. Additionally, owing to the island’s proximity to Kerala, a lot of the culture here is very similar to that of the people of from that state. Visitors fortunate to visit during festivals get a real taste of this culture, with the best of music and tribal dances on display.
The Opana, Parichakali dance, Lava dance and Kolkali dance are amongst the most famous dance forms here.
Handicraft items are popularly made from the resources most abundantly available — shells, coir and oysters, and are very famous here. The people of the Aminidivi tribe are well known for their handicraft skills. Handicraft items have got a tremendous boost with the growth of the tourism industry in Lakshadweep.
Everybody, Indian or otherwise, requires a special permit to visit Lakshadweep. By far the easiest way to obtain it is to book a package tour through the government’s tour operator SPORTS or arrange a hotel to sort it out for you; in fact, for foreigners, accommodation booked in advance is a precondition for being allowed to visit.
Foreigners are restricted to the islands of Agatti, Bangaram and Kadmat, plus transit only in Kavaratti. Indians may visit the other islands as well, but accommodation is very limited.
Nearly everybody going to Lakshadweep has to pass through Kochi, from where you can continue by plane or ship:
By plane
Indian Airlines and Kingfisher fly daily from Kochi to the airstrip at Agatti, the only one on the islands. Kingfisher Red has a daily non stop flight from Bangalore. Flights to Goa have been terminated.
By ship
The MV Tipu Sultan, MV Bharat Seema, MV Amindivi and MV Minicoy operate between Kochi and various islands in Lakshadweep. The trip takes 14-18 hours depending on the destination island.
There are also occasional cruises directly from Mumbai.
Both boat and helicopter transfers are available from Agatti to Bangaram and Kadmat. The helicopter (US$150 return) may be the only option during the monsoon season, from May to September.
By boats/ferries
These can be used for getting around from one island to the other. However, once on an island, there aren’t too many options. You can travel by foot or hire a bicycle.
Kavaratti
The administrative headquarters, Kavaratti is the most developed island. 52 mosques are spread out over the island including the most beautiful Ujra mosque, with its ornately carved ceiling believed to be carved from a piece of driftwood.
The lagoon is ideal for water sports and swimming, and there are sandy beaches for sun basking. The Marine Aquarium boasts a vast collection of exotic marine life worth a dekko, and visitors can view the exotic underwater world from the glass-bottomed boats. Water-sport crafts like kayaks and sailing yachts are also available for hire.
Kalpeni
Kalpeni has the largest lagoon among Lakshadweep islands, which is ideal for all kinds of water sports. A peculiar feature of Kalpeni atoll is the huge storm bank of coral debris along the eastern and southeastern shoreline. Kalpeni with the small islets Tilakkam, Pitti and the uninhabited Cheriyam is known for its scenic beauty. Koomel, the gently curving bay, offers tourists facilities like bath huts and changing rooms. Kayaks, sail boats and pedal boats are available on hire.
Minicoy
The southernmost island of the group, Minicoy is geographically isolated from other islands. Perhaps due to this, the culture here is a mix of Maldivian and south Indian. The language spoken is Mahl, a form of Divehi, the language spoken in Maldives.
Interestingly, Minicoy is often called Women’s Island for the dominating position enjoyed by ladies in the society has a culture distinct from other islands. The island has a rich tradition of performing arts. Lava dance, the most attractive among them, is performed on festive occasions. A visit to the tuna canning factory, the light house built by the British in 1885, and a long drive through dense coconut groves and winding village roads should be on the sightseeing agenda, as should a visit to one of one of the islands’ largest lagoons.
Kadmat
Kadmat is a haven of solitude with its fine lagoon, long stretch of shoreline and secluded huts. Apart from the shallow lagoon on the west that forms an ideal spot for water sports, there is also a narrow lagoon on the east. This is the only island in the group which has lagoon on both the sides. Thick green coconut palm leaves form a natural canopy over the whole area protecting you from sunlight. The island has the finest diving spots in India.
Kadmat is the only island apart from Bangaram and Agatti where international tourists are allowed.
Agatti
Get into one of the most beautiful lagoons from here. A virtual gateway to the islands, Agatti has the only airport in the island and a 20-bed tourist resort. Unlike other islands, it is the only island where one can stay as long or as short as one wishes – an advantage given by the Indian Airlines flight operated from Kochi. Uninhabited islands of Bangaram, Thinnakara, Parali-I and Parali-II are just a hop away. Land in these tiny islands and enjoy an exclusive day excursion.
Bangaram
Living in an uninhabited island… the very idea unfurls several romantic notions. This teardrop-shaped piece of land is encircled by sand and surrounded by the deep, warm, clear waters of the Indian Ocean. The exquisite coral formation including the black coral formations, the variety and number of coral fishes – the angel, the clown, the butterfly, the surgeon not to mention the sharks, manta rays, sting rays, moray eels and turtles, are an open invitation to indulge in some scuba-diving.
Things to Do
There are plenty of opportunities for scuba diving, yachting, pedal boating, kayaking, canoeing, swimming, snorkeling and sun-bathing.
Just remember that picking up corals is a punishable crime.