Daman and Diu are actually
two parts that were part of Goa until 1987. Daman and Diu is the second smallest
union territory of India liberated from Portuguese rule in 1961. Daman in the
Gulf of Cambay is situated near Surat while a creek joins Diu, near Junagadh.
Geographically, Daman and Diu are the seaside beauties.
Daman
Daman
is situated on the coast of Gujarat. As per the legend the Shivalinga emerged
here on the request of a true devotee of Shiva. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the Somnath
Mahadev Temple is an important place of worship in Daman. The local devotees constructed
a small temple at the same site. Now Ganga Ji Fair is organized here every year,
and the temple was given new look in 1973.
Daman has its own range of beautiful
places like Devka Beach, Jampore Beach, Lake in Kachigam, Nani Danan jetty garden
and Hilsa fish Aquarium.
Diu
According to mythology,
the great king named Jallandhar once ruled Diu. He was a daitya (Demon) and was
killed by Lord Vishnu with his Sudarshan Chakra. The temple of Jallandhar still
exists in Diu. The legendary Pandavas during their fourteen years of exile are
believed to have passed a few days at a place known as Mani Nagar (DIU), which
was under the Yadavas led by Krishna Vasudeva during Mahabharata period. The Shivlingas
washed by sea is a unique sight at Gangeshwar Temple at Jallandhar beach. The
other two revered sites are St. Paul's Church and St. Francis Church. The festivals
celebrated here are Gangaji Fair, Holi, Dussehra, Diwali, Christmas, carnival,
and Eid.
Diu witnessed the rule of Chowda Rajputs (8th-13th century),
Waghalas, Muslims (Bahadur Shah and Emperor Humayun) and the Portuguese who ruled
almost 450 years, starting with Albuquerque.
An imposing structure
in its Fort with a number of old cannons and shells make Diu a very popular and
important tourist resort The fort commands a magnificent view of the sea and its
surrounding areas. A little distance from the Diu Fort is Panikotha fortress approachable
by boat. It mesmerizes watching when lit up in the evening. Dom Joan de Castro
reconstructed the fortress of Diu after the siege of 1545. There are other forts
also. Gogola Fort which was destroyed in 1896; the Passo Seco Fort predates the
Portuguese conquest; Barra Fort now converted into a lighthouse; the Nagoa Fort
built in 1773; Tad Fort; Old Fort; and a palace.
The island of Diu,
an erstwhile Portuguese colony, is situated off the Saurashtra coast of Gujarat
bordering Junagadh district. Famous for lush greenery and beaches, the horseshoe
shaped Nagoa Beach is one of the best in India. The other equally beautiful beaches
are Ahmedpur, Mandvi, Chakratirath, Jallandhar, and Gomtimata all having their
own charm and thrill.
Area:
38.5 sq.km,
Altitude: 29 meters, Climate: (deg C)- Summer- Min 20, Max 38; Winter- Min 20,
Max 25, Rainfall: 70cms, Best Season: October to May.
Places
Of Interest:
Diu Fort, Forte do Mar, Gupta Prayag at Delwada, Gangeshwar
Temple, Nagao Beach, Shaking Tower at Delwada.
Excursions:
Girnar Hill, Junagadh-185 kms, Palitana-195 kms, Somnath Temple- 72 kms, Sasangir-128
kms, Tulsi Shyam- 45 kms, Chorwad- 97 kms, Ahmedpur Mandvi-130 kms.
Reach:
By Air: Well connected to Bombay and Ahmedabad.
By Rail: Nearest railhead
is Delwada-9 kms.
By Road: Una- 30 kms, Ahmedabad- 495 kms, Bhavnagar- 225
kms, Bombay- 930 kms, Daman- 763 kms, Sasangir-128 kms, Rajkot- 261 kms, Somnath-
87 kms, Veraval- 77 kms.
Budget
India Tour
