Jay Verma
Lakshadweep Tourism 2024: After the government of the Maldives suspended three ministers on January 7, there were meetings between envoys from both countries. The Indian Ministry of External Affairs talked to the Maldives High Commissioner to India about the comments made by the suspended ministers.
The Indian High Commissioner to Maldives also had a meeting to discuss bilateral issues. The Maldivian ministers got suspended due to their social media posts criticizing PM Modi’s visit to the union territory. This caused a big controversy.
In early January, Modi visited Lakshadweep to promote tourism and shared his experience on social media.
Then, the Deputy Minister of Youth Empowerment, Information and Arts in the Maldives, Mariyam Shiuna, criticized Modi’s visit. She said that India was facing challenges in competing with Maldives in the tourism sector. She called Mr. Narendra Modi a clown and the puppet of Israel. Shiuna’s post has been deleted.
- Bangaram Island: Known for its pristine beauty and abundant marine life, offering opportunities for activities such as scuba diving, snorkeling, and deep-sea fishing.
- Kadmat Island: Renowned for its tourism potential, showcasing the natural beauty of the region and offering various water sports activities.
- Kavaratti Island: Serving as the administrative capital of Lakshadweep and offering opportunities for activities like swimming, snorkeling, and lagoon cruises.
- Minicoy Island: Familiar for its marine wealth and welcoming tourists for experiences like swimming, snorkeling, kayaking, and water sports.
About Lakshadweep
Lakshadweep is a group of 36 islands known for its beautiful beaches and green scenery. Its name means ‘a hundred thousand islands’ in Malayalam and Sanskrit. It is India’s smallest Union Territory and covers a total area of 32 square kilometers.
The capital and main town of the Union Territory is Kavaratti. The islands are situated 220 to 440 kilometers away from Kochi, a coastal city in Kerala. The natural beauty of its landscapes, sandy beaches, rich flora and fauna, and peaceful lifestyle add to the charm of Lakshadweep.
The islands have good flight connections from Kochi and there’s a helicopter service from Agatti to Kavaratti year-round. The weather in Lakshadweep is tropical, with temperatures ranging from 27°C to 32°C. April and May are the hottest months, with an average temperature of 32°C.
Generally, the climate is warm, humid, and pleasant, but during the monsoon season, ship-based tourism is not available. The best time to visit the islands is from October to March. From June to October, the South West Monsoon brings an average rainfall of 10-40 mm, with a relative humidity of 70-75%. The annual rainfall decreases from South to North, and on average, there are 80-90 rainy days each year. Winds are light to moderate from October to March.
Religion in Lakshadweep (2011)
The population of Lakshadweep mainly follows Islam, with Muslims constituting the majority.
- Islam (96.58%)
- Hinduism (2.77%)
- Christianity (0.49%)
- Other or Irreligious (0.16%)
Islam is the main religion practiced in Lakshadweep. Sheikh Ubaidullah played a key role in spreading Islam in the region.
Muslims make up the majority of the population in Lakshadweep. They come together in various mosques for occasions like Eid-ul-Fitr, Muharram, Eid-ul-Adha, and Milad-un-Nabi. The culture is similar to that of Mappilas in the nearby state of Kerala.
The people in Lakshadweep celebrate special festivals like Moulood and Ratheeb. During Moulood, they pray and eat together. Ratheeb is an unusual festival that started in the Kavaratti region of Lakshadweep. People gather to honor Sheikh Kasim, a revered saint, and seek his blessings.
Languages of Lakshadweep (2011)
The 2011 Census of India recorded the following languages spoken in the Lakshadweep region.
- Malayalam is the most spoken language at 84.17%
- Dhivehi is spoken by 14.44% of the population
- Other languages make up 1.39% of the total spoken languages
The main languages in Lakshadweep are Malayalam and Dhivehi. The people in the northern islands speak Jeseri, which is a form of Malayalam influenced by Arabic. The people of Minicoy speak Mahl, a variant of the Divehi language spoken in the Maldives. Jeseri, also known as Jesri or Dweep Bhasha, is spoken on certain islands in Lakshadweep including Chetlat, Bitra, Kiltan, Kadmat, Amini, Kavaratti, Androth, Agatti, and Kalpeni, with each island having its own dialect.
Malayalam with Malayalam script was made the main language of Lakshadweep during the British Raj. Before that, a type of Arabic script called Ponnani script or Arabi Malayalam script was used for writing the language. The Indian government continued this policy. Malayalam is used as a common language on the islands, including on the Mahl-dominated Minicoy Island. The dances on the islands include Lava Dance, Kolkali Dance, and Parichakli Dance. source
How to Reach Lakshadweep
To reach Lakshadweep, one can consider the following transportation options:
- Flights: Flights from Kochi are available to Agatti and Bangaram islands. Indian Airlines operates these flights and connecting flights from Kochi are available to most airports in India and abroad. The only airstrip is on Agatti island.
- Boats: During the fair season (October to May), boats are available from Agatti to Kavaratti and Kadmat. Additionally, helicopter transfers are available to Kavaratti from Agatti during the monsoon season, depending on helicopter availability.
- Ships: Seven passenger ships operate between Cochin and the Lakshadweep islands, with journey durations ranging from 14 to 18 hours, depending on the island. Different types of accommodation are available on the ships, including A/C First Class with two-berth cabins, A/C Second Class with four-berth cabins, and push-back/bunk class with A/C seating. On-board medical assistance is available upon request. MV Amindivi and MV Minicoy also offer comfortable A/C seating, suitable for overnight journeys. High-speed vessels operate between the islands during the fair season.
For more information, visitors can visit Samudram website for cruises, and for ship tickets, they can visit Lakshadweep Tourism website.
- Flights from Kochi to Agatti and Bangaram islands
- Indian Airlines operates flights from Kochi
- Connecting flights from Kochi to most airports in India and abroad
- Airstrip is on Agatti island
- Boats available from Agatti to Kavaratti and Kadmat during the fair season (October to May)
- Helicopter transfers available to Kavaratti from Agatti during the monsoon season
- Flight from Cochin to Agatti takes around one hour and thirty minutes
- Seven passenger ships operate between Cochin and Lakshadweep islands
- Different types of accommodation available on the ships
- On-board medical assistance available upon request
- MV Amindivi and MV Minicoy also offer comfortable A/C seating
- High-speed vessels operate between the islands during the fair season
Entry Permit in Lakshadweep
- Authorized Authorities and Contact Details for Permit Issuance: Entry Permit – Authorities
- Instructions for Permit Issuance, Rejection, Renewal, Endorsement, and Cancellation: Order dated 19.06.2014: Entry Permit – Instructions to Authorized Officers
- Lakshadweep Entry Permit Rules: Entry Permit Rules
- Entry Permit Portal: http://epermit.utl.gov.in
Not allowed in Lakshadweep
In Lakshadweep, there are certain restrictions and regulations that visitors need to be aware of:
- Tourists need permission to visit the islands.
- Foreign nationals are not allowed to visit certain islands.
- Alcohol consumption is not allowed in the Lakshadweep Archipelago, except on Bangaram Island.
- The impact of tourism on the environment of the islands has caused controversy.
Tourist Packages in Lakshadweep
The tourist industry in Lakshadweep started in 1974 when the Bangaram Atoll was opened for international tourism.
Tourism brings in significant revenue since the region cannot support industries.
The government is promoting tourism in the Bangaram and Kadmat islands for income.
Bangaram is expected to become a major international tourism destination.
The islands have abundant marine life, and water sports like scuba diving, wind surfing, snorkeling, surfing, kayaking, canoeing, water skiing, sportfishing, yachting, and night sea voyages are popular among tourists.
The islands attract tourists throughout the year, except during the rough seas of the southwest monsoon.
Two small customs clearance check-in offices are proposed to be set up for tourists to enter directly without permission from the nearest customs office in Kochi, which is 260 nautical miles away.
Tourism is expected to flourish after the opening of these offices because the islands are located on a busy cruise passage.
To improve the economy, the central government has announced a project to set up an undersea fiber optic cable. This will provide fast mobile and internet connection between Kochi and 11 islands of Lakshadweep. The project, costing ₹10.72 billion (US$130 million), is expected to be finished by May 2023.
Only people with a valid tourist visa can go to Lakshadweep islands.
One of the most beautiful tropical island systems in the world is called Lakshadweep. It is located 220-440 kilometers off the coast of Kerala. The islands have a rich ecology and culture, including a unique coral reef that makes it a pristine place for leisure.
The area covers 4200 square kilometers of lagoon, spread over 36 islands in a 32 square kilometer area. The underwater view at Lakshadweep is vibrant and stunning, offering great potential for water sports like swimming, wind-surfing, diving, snorkeling, and kayaking. Each island is surrounded by white coral sands, clear water, and abundant marine life.
The islands are connected to the mainland by ship, helicopter, Indian Airlines, Kingfisher Airlines, and wooden vessels. Elaborate infrastructure is in place on all the islands to meet the needs of tourists. Lakshadweep was honored with the National Eco-Tourism Award in 1997.
For booking and more information about the packages, visit the Samudram website at samudram.utl.gov.in.
Lakshadweep Samudram
Lakshadweep Samudram is a five-day cruise to visit the islands of Kavaratti, Kalpeni, and Minicoy by the ship M.V Kavaratti. The island tour is organized during the day, with lunch and refreshments ashore. Nights are spent on board the ship. M.V Kavaratti has 150 Diamond class accommodations. Swimming, snorkeling, and other water sports are arranged during the day tour. Children from 1 year old up to 10 years old will be treated as children.
Swaying Palm Package
Swaying Palm is a six/seven-day tour to Minicoy. Tourists stay in exclusive air-conditioned cottages and other individual cottages built on the beachfront. The journey is by M.V Arabian Sea, M.V Lakshadweep Sea, M.V. Minicoy, and M.V. Amindivi, M.V Kavaratti.
Marine Wealth Awareness
The Marine Wealth Awareness Programme offers a 4-7 day package to Kadmat for experiencing the beauty of marine life. The package includes 2-5 days on the island with activities like swimming, snorkeling, and kayaking. Kadmat has a water sports institute offering scuba diving, wind surfing, and parasailing for the more adventurous.
Taratashi Package
Taratashi provides a package for visiting Kavaratti, the administrative capital of Lakshadweep, including a four to five day stay on the island. You can enjoy activities like swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving, lagoon cruises in glass-bottomed boats, and other water sports, making your holiday memorable. Accommodation is in tourist huts located on the beachfront.
Tents in Thinnakara
It’s like having your own private island. Thinnakara island is located just across from Bangaram island and shares a large lagoon and coralline banks. The lagoon area is about 125.21 square kilometers. On the north-south edge of the lagoon, you’ll find Parali i, Parali ii, Parali iii, and Kalpitty. Thinnakara is a small teardrop-shaped island situated 8 km northeast of Agatti. The scenery includes stunning lagoons, peaceful sea shores, sunny sandy beaches, palm trees swaying in the breeze, and amazing marine life. Visitors can enjoy water sports like kayaking and glass-bottom boat rides. You can also play beach volleyball and find vast beaches for sunbathing.
Cottages in Bangaram
Bangaram Island, which covers 120 acres, is mostly uninhabited, with occasional visitors from the nearby island of Agatti, where the airport is located. The island is surrounded by a shallow lagoon enclosed by a coral reef and is considered one of the best getaways in the world. It offers a peaceful and unique environment where visitors can observe various animals and birds in the lush coconut groves. Additionally, there are many activities to enjoy, such as scuba diving, beach games, swimming, snorkeling, and deep-sea fishing. The resort on the island has 60 beach cottages (without air conditioning) and a restaurant serving a variety of dishes. Bangaram can be reached from Agatti, where the airport is located.
Scuba Dive Package
All the diving gear will be given to you. You must be able to swim and have a doctor’s note saying you’re healthy enough to dive. You have to be at least 14 years old to take the diving course.
- Lakshadweep has got world’s premier Dive Spots.
- The Dolphin Dive centre, Kavaratti offers PADI Scuba Diving Experience Programme and PADI Scuba Diving Course.
- For details please contact our dolphin dive centre, Kavaratti in the Tel. Number: +91-4896 263649 / 262105.
Famous Food in Lakshadweep
Lakshadweep offers a delectable array of dishes that reflect the local culture and resources. Seafood is a staple in the cuisine, given the region’s abundant marine life. Here are some famous food items in Lakshadweep:
- Seafood Delicacies: Freshly caught tuna and other local fish are popular ingredients for various dishes. Some notable seafood delicacies include grilled fish, fish curry, and fried fish preparations.
- Coconut-based Dishes: Given the abundance of coconut palms in the region, many dishes incorporate coconut in various forms, such as grated coconut, coconut milk, and coconut oil. Coconut-based curries and desserts are widely enjoyed.
- Tropical Fruits: The islands offer a variety of tropical fruits, including bananas, pineapples, mangoes, and papayas. These fruits are often consumed fresh or used in fruit-based desserts and drinks.
- Local Breads: The local cuisine features a range of traditional breads, including unleavened flatbreads and deep-fried snacks made from wheat or rice flour. These breads are often accompanied by savory or sweet accompaniments.
- Sweets and Desserts: Traditional sweets and desserts play a significant role in Lakshadweep’s culinary landscape. Some popular sweet treats include coconut-based desserts, rice-based puddings, and syrup-soaked pastries.
- Beverages: Coconut water and various fruit-based drinks are refreshing beverage options. Additionally, the region’s cuisine may include traditional teas and spiced beverages.
The culinary heritage of Lakshadweep intertwines local flavors with the bounties of the sea, offering a unique gastronomic experience for visitors.
Fisheries
Lakshadweep has the only coral atolls in India. It has a large lagoon and territorial waters, as well as an Exclusive Economic Zone. The coastal line is about 132 kilometers. There are an estimated 100 kilotonnes of tuna and an equal quantity of shark in the sea around Lakshadweep. Fishing is the main livelihood, and coconut fiber is also important. Freshly caught tuna is processed by drying, cooking, and smoking, resulting in a product known as ‘mas’ that is popular in Southeast Asian countries. There are workshops and boat building yards to support the fishermen, with 375 boats in operation in Lakshadweep.
Can Indian citizens travel to Lakshadweep?
Indian citizens can indeed travel to Lakshadweep. To visit these picturesque islands, Indian citizens are required to obtain an entry permit, which can be acquired through authorized channels. The serene beauty and rich cultural heritage of Lakshadweep await Indian travelers seeking a tranquil escape. So pack your bags and get ready to explore the tropical paradise of Lakshadweep!
How much does a Lakshadweep trip cost?
The cost of a trip to Lakshadweep can vary depending on various factors such as the duration of the trip, chosen accommodation, transportation, and planned activities. Typically, expenses may include transportation (flights, boats, or ships), accommodation (resorts or tourist cottages), entry permits, food, and any additional activities or excursions.
For specific and current pricing details, it is advisable to directly contact authorized travel agents or visit official tourism websites for comprehensive tour packages and associated costs. Additionally, considering the diverse options and preferences for accommodation, transportation, and activities, travelers can tailor their expenses according to their budget and desired experiences.
Why is Lakshadweep famous for?
Lakshadweep is renowned for its breathtaking tropical beauty, characterized by pristine beaches, vibrant coral reefs, and crystal-clear waters. This Union Territory is famous for its serene environment, rich marine life, and abundant cultural heritage. Visitors are drawn to Lakshadweep for its opportunities for water sports, including swimming, scuba diving, snorkeling, wind surfing, kayaking, canoeing, water skiing, and sport fishing. The region’s noteworthy attributes, such as its panoramic views, ecological diversity, and unique cultural traditions, contribute to its renowned status as a sought-after tourist destination.
Which month is best for Lakshadweep?
Lakshadweep experiences a tropical climate, and the best time to visit is from October to March. During these months, the weather is generally warm, humid, and pleasant, making it ideal for exploring the islands and enjoying water activities such as swimming, scuba diving, snorkeling, and other water sports. From June to October, the South West Monsoon brings significant rainfall and rough seas, which may affect accessibility and outdoor activities. Therefore, for a memorable and enjoyable experience, planning a visit to Lakshadweep between October and March is recommended.
Is Passport required to go to Lakshadweep?
No, Indian citizens do not require a passport to travel to Lakshadweep as it is a union territory of India. However, obtaining an entry permit is mandatory for visiting the picturesque islands.
