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Sun sets on the Lakshadweep islands
"Leave your footprints behind and take away your memories"
Located in the Arabian Sea off the south-eastern coast of India, the charm of Lakshadweep Islands (known as Laccadive Islands till 1973) lies in their remoteness. Far from the chaos of civilization, as we know it, they represent a rather magical realm of existence. Each island is densely covered with coconut palms, and serenely set in a sea, the waters of which range from palest aquamarine and turquoise, to deepest sapphire and lapis lazuli.
The Lakshadweep islands are India's only coral islands. The Lakshadweep chain of islands are coral atolls. An atoll is a coral organism lying exactly at the surface of the ocean where air and water meet; this being the only condition under which coral can live. The coral here is shaped like a ring and encircles a staggeringly beautiful emerald-blue lagoon. Each atoll is the topmost point of a submarine pillar of limestone extending several thousand feet from an extinct volcano. Tempting as it is to pick up a coral as a souvenir, it is strictly illegal, being punishable with heavy fines.
Non-availability of drinking water accounts for a number of islands being uninhabited. Of the 36 islands covering a land area of 32 sq. km, only 10 are inhabited. Ethnically, the people of the islands are very similar to the people of the state of Kerala. Majority of them are Muslims, and speak Malayalam except in Minicoy where Mahli is spoken.Coconut cultivation and fishing, are the chief occupations of the people, whose folklore and customs are, not surprisingly, largely derived from the sea.
Climate
Lakshadweep has a tropical climate, with summer temperatures ranging from 35 degrees centigrade to 22 degrees centigrade and winter temperature between 32 degrees centigrade to 20 degrees centigrade. During monsoons, ship-based tourism is closed but helicopter services are available. Some effect of the northeast monsoon is felt in October-November in the form of light transitory showers which cool the place. Tropical clothes throughout the year are sufficient. A waterproof coat during October-November will be useful.
Islands
Agatti
Agatti has one of the most beautiful lagoons in Lakshadweep. This is where the airport is built. A virtual gateway to Lakshadweep, a 20 bed tourist complex has been set up here.
Bangaram
Tear-drop shaped, this island is encircled by a continuous halo of creamy sand. Like all the other islands of Lakshadweep, luxuriant plantations of coconut provide coolness even during the hottest time of the day.
 Kavaratti
The administrative capital, Kavaratti is the most developed of the islands with the highest percentage of non-islanders as residents. Fifty two mosques are spread out over the island, the most beautiful being the Ujra mosque. A well, within its precincts, is believed to contain water of curative powers. The island also has an aquarium with several colourful species of fish. There is a glass bottom boat for viewing marine life and an array of remarkable coral formations that provides a background to the lagoons and the islands within them. Some Water Sports like kayaking canoeing and snorkelling are available for tourists.
Kalpeni
Kalpeni has three uninhabited satellite islands, all surrounded by an immense lagoon of spectacular beauty. Koomel, the gently curving bay where the tourist facilities are located, directly overlooks Pitti and Thilakkm, two of the islands. Here, tourists can swim, reef walk, snorkel or use water sports equipment like kayaks, and sail boats.
Kadmath
The even depth and an endless shoreline make Kadmath a haven of solitude. This is the only island with lagoons on both eastern and western sides. A Water Sports Institute providing water sports facilities has been set up in
Kadmath.
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 Minicoy
Furthest from Kavaratti island, 200 km away to the south and also nearest to the Maldives, Minicoy has a culture very different from any other island. It has a cluster of 10 villages, which are called Athiris each presided over by a
Moopan. Minicoy is renowned for its dance tradition: the lava dance is performed on festive occasions. The tuna fishing and boat building activity is interesting. Minicoy has a lighthouse built by the British in 1885. Visitors are allowed up, right to the very top.
How To Get There
Air: NEPC Airlines operates flights from Cochin to Agatti Island. Tourists are ferried from Agatti to other places, by fast boats. Also, a helicopter service links Agatti to the other islands.
Ship: Vessels ply between Cochin in Kerala and Lakshadweep. Rates vary according to the type of accommodation.
Package Tours
The Coral Reef Tour
It is a five day cruise by the ship M.V.Tipu Sultan, with the day being spent on the islands of Minicoy, Kavaratti and Kalpeni, and night aboard the ship. The tour starts at Cochin in Kerala, at 1200 hrs, and returns at 1000 hrs on the fifth day. There are 36 seats reserved for First Class and 100 seats for Tourist Class. The First Class fare is Rs 6000, and the Tourist Class fare is Rs 4200 (fares subject to change). A students group of 15 and above get a concessional price of Rs 3000 per head in the Tourist Class.
The Marine Wealth Awareness Package
This 6-days package tour starts off at Cochin and covers the island of Kadmat. The tour kicks off at 1200 hrs from Cochin, and ends at 1000 hrs at Cochin on the sixth day. The tour includes snorkelling and other exciting water sports. There are 12 seats reserved for the Executive Class, 14 seats for the First Class, and 16 seats for the Tourist Class. The tariffs per head are Rs 6600, Rs 6000 and Rs 5200 for the Executive Class, First Class and Tourist Class respectively (fares subject to change).
The Taratashi Tour
This 6-days tour from Cochin to Kavaratti starts at 1200 hrs, and ends at 1000 hrs at Cochin on the sixth day. There are only 10 seats, all First Class, available for the tour. The tariff per head is Rs 5400 (fares subject to change).
The Coconut Grove Tour
This 6-days tour from Cochin to Kalpeni starts at 1200 hrs, and ends at 1000 hrs at Cochin on the sixth day. There are only 8 seats, all First Class, available for the tour. The tariff per head is Rs 5400 (fares subject to change).
The Swaying Palm Tour
This 6-days tour from Cochin to Minicoy starts at 1200 hrs, and ends at 1000 hrs at Cochin on the sixth day. There are only 6 seats, all First Class, available for the tour. The tariff per head is Rs 5400 (fares subject to change).
The Ziarath Tour
This is a 6-days pilgrimage tour from Cochin to Andrott island. The main attraction of the tour is the holy tomb of Hazrath Ubaidulla. There are only 8 seats, all Tourist Class, available for the tour. The tariff per head is Rs 3000 (fares subject to change).
The Scuba Diving Tour
 It is an eight to ten day course, conducted by trained instructors on the island of Kadmat. All equipment will be provided by Lacadives. Swimming skills, and a doctor's certificate clearing the candidate to be fit for diving, are mandatory. The minimum age for diving is 14 years. The tariff of this tour is Rs 16,000 per head, and includes ship fare from Cochin to Kadmat and back, boarding, lodging, instruction and theory classes. It does not include air fare from Agatti island to Kadmat. All bookings are to be done at least one month in advance, with 50 % of the fee to be sent by demand draft to "Lacadives", E-20, Everest Building, Tardeo, Mumbai - 400034. The total number of seats is 10, all by Tourist Class.
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