Lakshadweep – A Paradise on earth.

 I always used to wonder when I was very young, whether there were really beaches like the ones shown in the movies. Turquoise blue waters, white sand, calm and clear waters where you can see all the life beneath. Of course, I cannot be blamed, I was brought up in Mysore and the only beach I saw was the beach near my aunt’s house in north of Chennai, where I used to visit during the summer holidays. And then my fate took me to Lakshadweep suddenly all the way from Mysore. I was posted at Kavaratti, capital of the Lakshadweep Islands for two years. 

White sand and Turquoise Blue waters 

Dolphins - Near the Cochin waterways

Lakshadweep is an archipelago of atolls, reefs and submerged sand banks. The name Lakshadweep means “one Lakh Islands” in Sanskrit, Hindi and other Indian languages. It was formerly called as Laccadive, Amindivi and Minicoy group of Islands. The total land area is very less (30 sq. km) and only 10 islands are inhabited. Jeseri is the local language, sounds like a mix of Malayalam and Tamil but does not have a script. Mahl (Dwivehi) is spoken in Minicoy island, it is similar to the language spoken in Maldives and has a script. The people here are very friendly and welcoming. Their main source of income is fishing and coconut. 

Little Friends

School of sardines being chased around by a Trevally

Most of these islands have a lagoon on the western side, surrounded by a reef. The lagoons are shallow at the edges and may be few meters (3-5) deep at the centre. Water will be still in these lagoons. The white sand below reflects the sunlight and gives the water the clear and bright turquoise blue colour. One can see the life below the water surface even from a glass bottomed boat in clear weather. 

On-board a passenger vessel - MV Kavaratti

The islands are a perfect getaway from the busy life of the city. One can leisurely stroll on the beaches, or take a dip in the clear lagoon. The more adventurous can go for snorkelling and scuba diving. The life under the sea is more colourful than on land with plenty of fishes, corals, anemones and other forms of life with bright and contrasting colours. Scuba diving will provide an experience of a lifetime. Or one can just spend the day sleeping under the canopy of coconut palms. But the only disappointment will be the food in the islands. Liquor is prohibited in all the islands. Mostly the seafood menu is limited to Tuna. Nowadays the newer resorts are trying to expand their menus, but it will be nothing near to the imagination one will get when thinking of a place surrounded by the sea. For the vegetarians also the choice will be very limited, as almost nothing is produced locally. All the vegetables have to come from the western coast of India by ship. 

Naval aircraft at Agatti

Due to the security restrictions the tourist population is only limited to the people who visit the island through the local government tourism agency “SPORTS”. The package usually is for a day trip (night is spent in the ship) or for a couple of days stay in one of the islands, the rest of the tour is spent in the passenger vessels. Nowadays a lot of private resorts have come up and are bringing tourists on their own packages. 

Reaching Lakshadweep

View from cochin port

Passenger vessels are operated from Cochin and Calicut by the Lakshadweep administration on a scheduled basis. Agatti, one of the islands have airport facility. Indian airlines operate regular flights to Agatti. Prior permission in the form of a entry permit has to be taken from Lakshadweep administration for visiting the islands. The simplest way to visit Lakshadweep is to select a package offered by the Lakshadweep tourism department (“SPORTS” – Society for Promotion of Recreational Tourism and Sports). Or one can make a detailed survey and opt for a package offered by some of the local resorts. 

To be continued……………