There is history, nature and beauty in Andaman and Nicobar Islands that will fascinate you. Also known as Emerald Islands for the breathtaking colour of the sea, Andamans & Nicobar is an Archipelago of 572 islands adrift in the Bay of Bengal, and stretches over an area of more than 700 sq. kms. Port Blair and its nearby places offer sightseeing possibilities that interest all. The name Andaman presumably comes from Handuman, which is Malay for the Hindu god Hanuman. The name Nicobar is Malay for land of the naked (people). Another version is that, it was a distorted version of a Tamil sentence Andha Maan Nikkudhu Paar (literally: That Deer standing See) by a British, when discovering those islands. Weather
The climate in Andaman & Nicobar Islannds is tropical and humid. Humidity ranges between 70% and 90% with a gentle breeze blowing at all times. The weather is generally pleasant with a minimum temperature of 23°C and maximum 30°C.
Tourism:
The Andaman & Nicobar Islands are a once in a lifetime holiday experience. If you are a nature lover, then visit Andaman & Nicobar Islands. The clean environment, roads, greenery as well as unpolluted fresh air attract all nature lovers. The tropical rain forests and waters of Bay of Bengal are the home of a vast collection of plant, animal and marine life. Topographically the islands are hilly in places fringed with coconut palm, covered with tropical jungle and interspersed with flat stretches of crescent shaped beaches. Adventure tourism like trekking, Island camping, snorkeling, SCUBA diving etc. and other water sports are the real attractions.
Places of Tourist Interest:
Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park : In Port Blair, one can visit Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park at Wandoor which is 29 Kms. from Port Blair covering an area of 281.5 Sq.Kms. This Marine Park madeup of open sea, creeks and 15 small and large islands, is one of the best found anywhere in the world. Sippighat Farm : is 14 kms from Port Blair. Sprawling over an area of 80 acres is a Government farm. Research & Development programmes for cultivation of spices like cloves, nutmeg, cinnamon, coconut and pepper are conducted here. Research and Demonstration farm of the Central Agricultural Research Institute (CARI) is nearby. Madhuban : is a trekking area, north east of South Andaman. Exotic endemic birds, animals, butterflies, and elephant lumbering are the most interesting part of the trek. (75 kms. by road/20 kms. by ferry and road from Port Blair) Mini Zoo : Situated at Haddo (Delanipur Chatham road), Mini Zoo houses some of the rare species of endemic birds and animals found in these islands. Neil Island : This beautiful island with lush green forest and sandy beaches is the vegetable bowl of Andamans. Connected by boat from Port Blair four days a week, it provides an ideal holiday for ecofriendly tourists. One can feel the sincerity and serenity of village life here. Beautiful beaches at Laxmanpur, Bharatpur, Sitapur and the bridge formation on the seashore (Howra bridge) are the attractions. Situated at 36 kms. from Port Blair. Other places of interest in Andaman includes Long Island (82 kms. from Port Blair), Rangat (170 kms. by road and 90 kms. by sea), Mayabunder (242 kms. by road/136 kms. by sea, Diglipur (290 kms by road/180 kms. by sea) and Little Andaman Island (120 kms. by sea). Ten Degree Channel : Comprising of 28 Islands, with an area of 1,841 sq.Kms. The Ten Degree Channel separates the Nicobar Islands from Andamans. The Nicobars abound in coconut palm, casuarina and pandanus. Great and Little Nicobar have the Giant Robber Crab, Monkeys with long tail, Nicobarese Pigeons in plenty. Megapode, a rare bird is found in Great Nicobar. The southernmost tip of India is not Kanyakumari as has till recently been considered, it is INDIRA POINT in Great Nicobar Island. Nicobar group is out of bounds for foreigners at present. Car Nicobar : (Area 126.9 sq. km., Distance 270 kms. by sea). A rustling fan, Car Nicobar is the headquarters of Nicobar District. It is a flat fertile island covered with cluster of coconut palms and enchanting beaches with a roaring sea all around. The Nicobari huts, built on stilts having entrance through floor with a wooden, ladder, are unique to this island. 16 hrs. journey by sea from Port Blair. Katchal : Katchal is a tiny island in the Nicobar group. It was this island, which heralded the new millennium with the first sunrise on 1st January 2000. This island has beautiful beaches at East bay, Jhula and West bay. (425 kms by sea) Great Nicobar : The southern end of the Nicobars, this island has Indira Point (formerly Pygmallion Point) the southern most tip of India. The beach near Galathia is the nesting ground for Giant Leather Back Turtles. This island also has biosphere reserve area and is 5060 hrs journey by sea from Port Blair. (540 kms by sea) The major Monuments in Andaman & Nicobar are Cellular Jail which is located at Port Blair, stood mute witness to the tortures meted out to the freedom fighters, who were incarcerated in this Jail. The jail, completed in the year 1906 acquired the name, 'cellular' because it is entirely made up of individual cells for the solitary confinement of the prisoners. It originally was a seven pronged, pucecoloured building with central tower acting as its fulcrum and a massive structure comprising honeycomb like corridors. Ross Island, the erstwhile capital of Port Blair during the British regime, is a tiny island standing as guard to Port Blair harbour. The island presently houses the ruins of old buildings like the Ballroom, Chief Commissioner's House, Govt. House, Church, Hospital, Bakery, Press, Swimming Pool and Troop Barracks, all in dilapidated condition, reminiscent of the old British regime. Viper Island, the tiny, serene, beautiful island of Viper witnessed the untold sufferings the freedom fighters had to undergo. Dangerous convicts found guilty of violating the rules of the Penal Settlement, were put in fetters and were forced to work with their fetters on in this island. Freedom fighters like Nanigopal and Nandlal Pulindas, who had resorted to hunger strike at the Cellular Jail, were imprisoned at Viper Island. The jail at Viper, where prisoners deported from the mainland were confined, was built by the British under the supervision of Major Fort. Work on the prison was started in 1867. Owing to the working conditions, the jail earned the notorious name Viper Chain Gang Jail.
When to Go
The best period to visit Andaman & Nicobar is between October to May.
Interesting Fact
The Andaman Islands are home to a population of Saltwater Crocodiles (Crocodylus Porosus), which can grow up to 30 feet in length (although rarely more than 16 feet, the biggest on record being 28.7 feet long). While they are of course capable of attacking humans it is extremely rare to find these reptiles anywhere near a public beach as they prefer mangrove swamps and brackish lagoons. Write about Andaman & Nicobar
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