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 The
Lakshadweep island lie on the Arabian Sea. A timeless
undiscovered treasure comprising 36 reefs and coral atolls -
untouched and unspoilt. Very little is known about them and
this adds to the sense of adventure for visitors.
The Laccadive Islands, renamed Lakshadweep in 1973, are
located in the Arabian Sea off the coast of Kerala, some 200
to 300 kms away and consists of 36 coral islands covering a
land area of 32 sq. kms. Only ten of these islands are
inhabited. They are in descending order of size - Minicoy,
Andrott, Kavaratti Kadmat, Agatti, Amini, Kalpeni, Kiltan,
Chetlat and Bitra. The main islands are Kavaratti, Minicoy,
and Amini. The total population is about 51,000. The
historical record shows that around the 7th century a Muslim
saint was shipwrecked on the island of Amini. The
inhabitants were converted to Islam despite initial
opposition. Although the sovereignty remained in the hands
of the Hindu Raja of Chirakkal, it eventually passed to the
Ali Raja of Cannanore (Kannur) in the 16th century - the
only Muslim royal family of Kerala, and later in 1783 to
Tipu Sultan. After the defeat of Tipu Sultan at the battle
of Srirangapatnam in 1799 to the British, the Lakshadweep
were annexed by the East India Company. The islands form the
smallest of Indian Union Territories and was constituted in
1956. There are about 10 islands which are open for
tourists. Lakshdweep offers sightseeing of beach including
Agatti – which has one of the most beautiful lagoons in
Lakshadweep. Bangaram - Tear-drop shaped, this island is
encircled by a continuous halo of creamy sand. Kavaratti -
is the most developed of the islands with the highest
percentage of non-islanders as residents. Kalpeni - has
three uninhabited satellite islands, all surrounded by an
immense lagoon of spectacular beauty.In excursion visit to
Kadhmath is must. Kadhmath is the only island with lagoons
on both eastern and western sides. Minicoy Island which is
200 kms away to the South is near to the Maldives. This
Island has a cluster of 10 villages.
The first glimpse of the island is about one and half hours
flight from Cochin airport to the malli and Agatti.
Everyting you expect of a tropical paradise is here:
Deserted sandy beaches, streaches of coconut palm trees,
endless sunshine and above al the clear blue waters of the
coral lagoons.
The most exclusive of these islands is Bangaram, A
holiday resort that sits on its own lagoon, a hundred shades
of blue hinting at the hidden worlds below. Once at Agatti
you board a boat and set off for Bangaram which is just an
hour and a half away. There are no indigenious inhabitants
and facilities have been designed to respect a delicate
natural ecosystem. The resort has a restaurant which serves
Indian and International cuisines. The Resort provides the
facilities of Scuba Diving, Snorklling, Deep Sea Fishing,
Rafting, Catamaran Sailing and more water sports.
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