It consists of 12 atolls, 3 reefs and 5 submerged banks. The atolls poised on submarine banks, harbour 36 islands having an area of 32 Sq.Km. Of these, 10 islands are inhabited namely Agatti, Amini, Andrott, Bitra, Chetlat, Kadmat, Kalpeni, Kavaratti, Kiltan and Minicoy. The islands lie about 220-440 Kms from the Malabar coast between 8° and 12° 13' North Latitude and 71° & 74° East Longitude. Kavaratti is the Administrative Headquarter of the Union Territory.
The islands look like emeralds in the vast expanse of blue sea. Varying hues of turquoise blue translucent water surround them. Coral atolls, the matchless marine environment with myriad colours resulting in complex interaction of animate and inanimate things. Built on ancient volcanic formations are the Lakshadweep (meaning a hundred thousand islands), the tiniest Union Territory of India.
It consists of 12 atolls, 3 reefs and 5 submerged banks. The atolls poised on submarine banks, harbour 36 islands having an area of 32 Sq.Km. Of these, 10 islands are inhabited namely Agatti, Amini, Andrott, Bitra, Chetlat, Kadmat, Kalpeni, Kavaratti, Kiltan and Minicoy. The islands lie about 220-440 Kms from the Malabar coast between 8° and 12° 13' North Latitude and 71° & 74° East Longitude. Kavaratti is the Administrative Headquarter of the Union Territory.
Each island is fringed by snowwhite coral sands, are marked by a huge, shallow, calm lagoon on one side which separate it from incoming swells of the outer sea by the fort wall-reef made of massive coral boulders and live corals. The only coral islands of our country, are the result of gradual assimilation of calcium from the water by corals and their turning into reefs.
The early history of Lakshadweep is not recorded; Local traditions attribute the first settlement on the islands to the period of cheraman Perumal, the last Chera King of King of Kerala. It is believed that the first setters were Hindus and Buddhists. Even Now, unmistakable Hindu social stratifications exist despite the influence of islam. Buddha idols are found in islands like Kavaratti and Andrott.
Floating on a plank he was swept ashore at Amini. Ubaidullah began propagating islam in the face of strong protests. From Amini, he went to Andrott where too he met with strong opposition. Finally he succeeded in converting the people to islam. Soon he went to other islands with the message of islam and succeeded in propagating it. He died in Andrott and his place of burial is a sacred place now.
Even after the influence of Islam, the sovereignty remained in the hands of the Hindu Raja of Chirakkal for some years. Form Chirakkal Raja, the control moved into the hands of the Muslim House of Arakkal around the 16th century. The Arakkal rule was oppressive and unbearable. Eventually in 1787, some islanders from Amini took courage and met Tippu Sultan at Mangalore, and requested him to take over the administration of Amini, Soon five islands came under the Sultan and the rest continued to be governed by the Arakkal family.
Lakshadweep BeachTour After the battle of Srirangapattanam in 1799, the islands were annexed to the British East India Company from Mangalore. In 1854, the Raja of Chirakkal handed over all the remaining islands to the East India Company. So came the British rule.
The Union Territory of Lakshadweep was formed in 1956, all islands now constitute on District for Administration with 4 tehsils. The administration head quarter is at Kavaratti. The Administrator heads the Union Territory. Each island has a democratic set-up in the form of Village (Dweep) Panchayat. At Union Territory level, there is a District Panchayat.
Lakshadweep is not a destination to offer you typical shop-till-you-drop experience. People visit the island not as much for shopping in Lakshadweep, as they do for spending an unhurried leisure and scuba diving.
If you are still keen on shopping in Lakshadweep, taking back some souvenir to remind you of the great holiday you had, you can look for classic beach handicrafts made corals shells and oysters.
Not also there are many shopping joints or large emporia or plush malls for shopping in Lakshadweep, you need to drop in some odd shop anywhere in the island. Or you may come across some local inhabitant with a roadside stall.
Location :: 200 nautical miles from South West coast of India, by flight to Agatti airport and by boat (1-1/2 hours - 8 km) to Bangaram Island Resort
Rooms :: 30 huts and 4 double cottages
Room Facilities :: 30 huts including a few for family of 4 in two twin/double cottages. To make holiday comfortable without disturbance, television, telephone, newspaper and air-conditioning have been kept out.
Other Facilities :: Sailing, boating, deep sea fishing, snorkelling, Scuba diving. Entry Permit : All visitors to Lakshadweep Islands will require an entry permit. Advance information like Name, address, place and date of birth, passport number, date and place of issue and expiry will be required.
Details :: 200 nautical miles from South West coast of India, by flight to Agatti airport and by boat (1-1/2 hours - 8 km) to Bangaram Island Resort