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 made-up 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 eco-friendly 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 50-60 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, puce-coloured 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.
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& Nicobar
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