diu & daman

Diu

Diu is a city in Diu district in the union territory of Daman and Diu, India. It is famous for being the location of the pivotal Battle of Diu in 1509 between Portugal and a combined force of Turkey, Egypt, Venice, the Republic of Ragusa (now known as Dubrovnik) and the then Sultan of Gujarat, Mahmud Begada.

It is an island lying off the south coast of Gujarat's Kathiawar peninsula, separated from the mainland by a tidal creek. It has an area of 40 km², and a population of 44,110 (2001 census). The town of Diu lies at the eastern end of the island, and is famous for its fortress and old Portuguese Cathedral. It is also a fishing town. The village of Ghoghla, which lies on the mainland opposite the eastern end of the island, is also part of the union territory. Note that in Google Maps you can find Diu with the name of Dangarvadi.

In 1535 Bahadur Shah, the Sultan of Gujarat, concluded a defensive alliance with the Portuguese against the Mughal emperor Humayun, and allowed the Portuguese to construct a fortress and maintain a garrison on the island. The alliance quickly unravelled, and attempts by the Sultans to oust the Portuguese from Diu between 1537 and 1546 failed. The fortress, reconstructed by Dom João de Castro after the siege of 1545, still stands. The island was occupied by the Indian military on 19 December 1961.

Geography

Diu is located at 20°42′N 70°59′E / 20.7°N 70.98°E / 20.7; 70.98. It is at sea level. 

Facts

Demographics

As of 2001^[update] India census Diu had a population of 21,576. Males constitute 46% of the population and females 54%. Diu has an average literacy rate of 75%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 81% and, female literacy is 69%. In Diu, 13% of the population is under 6 years of age.

Tourism

Tourist destinations include the nearby Nagoa beach. There is a very ancient Lord Shiva's Temple located in the coast of Diu. The most exciting ride is in the boat to light house, right middle in the sea. The old diu has a great ancient architect which you can see in the streets of DIU. The old fort, the church and the museum have a strong Portuguese feel. Jet Airways services the island, landing at Diu Airport. Visit Diu Tourism's Official Website

Damman

damman

Daman is an underdeveloped town, with a tropical flavor and its beaches are very welcoming. It was earlier called by the name of Damao and is bound by the Kolak River on the north. The northern part is called Little Daman or Nani Daman and is filled with restaurants while the southern part is called Moti Daman or Big Daman and is known for its ancient architecture. Both the islands enjoy typically maritime climate. The islands are always welcoming to tourists and throughout the year one can enjoy a pleasant atmosphere.

• Daman District, an area of 50 sq mi or 130 km²

It should be noted that Daman refers only to the city, which lies in the larger Daman District

 Country  India District(s) 2 Established 1987-05-30 Capital Daman Administrator Arun Mathur Population
• Density 158,059 (36th)
• 1,216 /km² (3,149 /sq mi) Language(s) Gujarati, Marathi, English Time zone IST (UTC+5:30) Area 130 km² (50 sq mi) ISO 3166-2 IN-DD

  HISTORY

Both these islands are associated with the Portuguese attempts of colonization and one can see its evidence in the rich architecture. These foreign invaders seized Daman in 1531 and formally took it over by 1559 from the last Gujarati king. Attempts to take over Diu had begun from 1531 but the Portuguese were successful only by 1535 taking advantage of the internal conflict of the king and the Mughal emperor, Humayun. After the peace treaty in 1539, the Portuguese took over full control of the island. Both the islands came under Indian rule by as late as 1961.

TOURISTS ATTRACTIONS

In Daman, one can visit the Fort of St. Jerome at Nani Daman, where there is a Jain temple as well. The 17th-century-old Se Cathedral and the Church of Our Lady of Rosary in Moti Daman are also worth a visit, and one can see the exquisite Portuguese carvings on the walls of these churches. Built in ancient Gothic style, these are a feast for the eyes. The stately Light House, the amusement park and the Gandhi Park at Daman jetty are also places of interest. Among the beaches, Devka beach is the most famous. Others include the Jampore beach, which is of interest to the swimmers and is very near the Gujarat border. The lake garden of Satya Nagar Udyan is famous for its fountains and promenades.

In Diu, the Zampa Gateway is of particular interest. It has carvings of lions, angels and a priest and has a chapel inside with an inscription dating back to 1702. The artificial Zampa waterfall is also attractive. St. Paul's Church is the only active church till date. Nearby is the old St. Thomas's Church that has now been taken over by the authorities and converted into the Diu Museum. The Church of St. Francis of Assisi has been converted to a hospital. The Marwar memorial commemorates the victory over the Portuguese. The massive fort built in 1541 is now weathered and weak. It is of major tourist interest. Other places include Jallandhar and Gangeshwar temple.

The Nagoa beach is the most famous in Diu. Gomptimata, Chakratirth and the beautiful Sunset Point are the other famous beaches. The Jama Masjid is also famous.

PLACES AROUND DAMAN

The 1000-feet-high hill resort of Saputara near Daman is quite famous. The name means the Abode of Serpents and one can see a holy serpent image on the banks of the river Sarpaganga. To visit Mahal Bardipara Forest Wildlife Sanctuary (60 km) and the Gira Waterfalls (52 km) Saputara is a popular base.

Fudam, near Diu town, has a big church dedicated to Our Lady of Remedies. At the western frontiers of the island, Vanakbara has a Church to Our Lady of Mercy, a fort, a lighthouse, and a fishing fleet.

HOW TO REACH

BY ROAD - The tourist office in Daman (Tel. No.: 55104) is near the bus stand.

BY AIR - Daman is provided with an airport and is connected to Baroda and Mumbai. Only traveler's cheques are exchangeable.

BY RAIL - The main railhead is Vapi, which is 10 km away. Vapi is about 170 km from Mumbai and 90 km from Surat. Buses and auto rickshaws are available to Daman from Vapi.

BY AIR - For Diu, there are regular air services of Gujarat State Airlines that fly to Mumbai.

BY RAIL - The nearest railhead is Delwada, 8 km from Diu. It is located between Una and Ghoghla.

BY ROAD - For road services, Una is the access point and there are direct buses from Bhavnagar (180 km), Veraval (90 km), and Talaja. There is a ferry service from Vanakbara to Kotla village, from where one can get buses to Kodinar. Auto and cycle rickshaws are available to commute within the city. Cycling is the most common mode of local transport. The tourist office is on Bunder Road (Tel. No.: 52212). One can exchange money at slightly lower rates in the banks.