Best
Season: September to May
Rainfall:
Average rainfall is 190 cm
Nearest
railhead: Vapi, 13 km
away.
Shopping:
Gujarati dresses, handicrafts, sea
shell items. |
Tourism in
Daman & Diu
Daman Tourism
Sitting on the peppery sands of Daman-Ganga
that flows softly to hug the Arabian Sea, a
few leagues away, is Daman (earlier called 'Damao'),
a picturesque port town of indescribable
loveliness. So near Mumbai, yet far from its
maddening crowd, Daman an erstwhile
Portuguese enclave, and a picturesque port
town, is a popular getaway for most city
dwellers. This has also been the home away
from home for the Portuguese till it was
liberated in 1961 to form a part of the
Indian Union.
Within its 72 sq. km, there is everything a
tourist looks for: gentle winds, soft sand,
inviting waters, historic churches, majestic
forts in their imposing splendour, coconut
groves, stately palms and sleepy villages
nestled on the creeks !
The people are unique in their diversity and
hospitality. Hindus, Christians, Muslims and
Parsees - all live in harmony and make Daman
a heart- warming place - where people, it
would appear, know only one language - that
spells out WELCOME in bold. At Daman, mini
buses, taxis, auto rickshaws, etc., are
available round the clock for local
transport and to the nearest railhead - Vapi
(a 13 km-drive away) on the Western Railway.
The Daman Experience
A Portuguese enclave for four centuries and
a half till the close of the colonial rule
in 1961, Daman has been a coveted prize for
which princes and potentates, indigenous
satraps and alien powers waged wars. Muted
memories of history lie vaulted in the
monuments of Daman gathering the slime of
time. It had been a melting pot where races
and cultures met and mixed to bring forth a·
multi-coloured identity. Try Daman once and
you'll be drawn to this scenic spot again
and again. Pest, repose, fun and laughter
with friendly and hospitable people: Daman
is non-pareil.
Daman has, what it takes and more, to
gratify the whims of sun bathers,
beachcombers, sight-seers, swimmers,
monument lovers, shoppers and ultimate
escapists ! There is exquisite sea food to
satisfy the palate : pomfret, prawn, dadha,
Bombay duck, crab, the list is endless;
while the quaint bars and modern restaurants
satisfy the pleasures of life.
BEACHES AND RESORTS
The beaches of Daman are beautiful and
unspoilt. Devka sea face and Nani Daman
afford excellent recreation to the tourist
These beaches attract travelers from far and
wide and some of the biggest hotels in Daman
are in the vicinity. The Administration of
Daman has developed an excellent Amusement
Park at Devka with multi- coloured
fountains, which are indeed a tourist's
delight.
Jampore Beach is the right place for a quiet
holiday. The beach line is broad and even;
the solitude and serenity of this lovely
spot is seldom disturbed. The Department of
Tourism has provided facilities in keeping
with the ambience. Close to Jampore, across
the Kalai river is the famous, vocational
school for the blind at Tatawadi, Fansa.
Devka
The long short-line at Devka has always
fascinated the tourists. The beautiful and
well tended amusement park with its musical
fountain and kid's corner has become very
popular, attracting bus loads of tourists
every weekend. When the park is illuminated
on festive days, it provides an enchanting
sight. Most of the food joints and posh
hotels am just within walking distance.
Taxis and auto ·rickshaws are easily
available to take you to Devka. Children
enjoy the facility of a pony-ride on the
sands. The traveler can beat the summer heat
by taking a swim in the cool-waters of the
sea. Be carful of the rocks under the water.
Jampore Beach
Towards the south, Jampore Beach leads on to
the border of Gujarat. It is a pleasant
spot, where one communes with nature in
sublime solitude. This beach is most suited
to swimming as it is danger-free. During
low-tide, one can walk on the soft wet sand
right into the sea. Don't miss a picnic with
your family in the shade of Casurina
plantation on the sea-shore.
Nani Daman
Nani Daman offers some wonderful sites to
the traveler: Gandhi Park near Nani Daman
jetty, Nani Daman Fort and the church inside
and the fishing jetty where boats are
anchored to name a few. The tourist crosses
over to Moti Daman through the Daman-Ganga
Bridge where an old world of broad roads,
the massive Fort, the stately Light House,
Gardens, Historic Monuments and ancient
Churches in Gothic style provide a feast to
the aesthetic taste.
SIGHTSEEING
ATTRACTIONS
Damanganga Tourist Complex
An unique integrated project with a
Cafeteria, Cottages, Conference Hall, Health
Club (under construction), Amphi Theatre,
Giant Water Falls, Water sports, Island
Gardens, Fountains which provide the
visiting tourist all facilities in one
location. This complex will mesmerise any
tourist visiting Daman with its beauty
facilities and size.
Satya sagar Udyan
About 3 kms. from the taxi park at Nani
Daman and very close to the Coast Guard Air
Station, on the Daman-Valsad Road squats a
spell-binding lake- garden Satya Sagar Udyan"
with its colourful fountains and
shrub-skirted promenades offers an
enchanting view. The restaurant and
snack-bar provide a variety of dishes of
different regional flavours. One can unbend
for hours on a lakeside seat sipping soft
drinks.
Church of Bom Jesus
This early 17th Century church dedicated to
Bom Jesus is one of the most impressive holy
places in Daman. It was completed in its
present form in 1603 AD and is a living
tribute to the excellence achieved by
Portuguese architects and artisans in ornate
and intricate Church buildings. The richly
carved doorway and the highly decorated
interiors together with the lofty ceiling
are aesthetic and pleasing. There are six
finely made statues in the best traditions
of Roman Church art and architecture. In the
early days of the Portuguese rule, Bom Jesus
was a parish church. The church now attracts
both tourists and pilgrims in large numbers.
Fort of Moti Daman
The massive Fort that runs round the
settlement like a girdle, dates back to 1559
AD. The Colossal structure in the present
form encompasses about 30.000 so. mts. with
10 bastions and two gateways.
Fort of Nani Daman
The small fort with high stone walls
encloses an area of 12,250 so. mt. It has
three bastions and two gateways. The most
conspicuous part of the Fort is the giant
gateway facing the river with a large statue
of St. Jerome and two giant human figures,
on either side of the gateway. The imposing
church of Our Lady of the Sea is the
principal building within the Fort.
FESTIVALS
Daman can boast of a rich and multi-faceted
cultural heritage. Dance and music am very
much part of the daily life of the people of
Daman. Here is a true fusion of
cultures-tribal, urban, European and Indian.
This ornate amalgam is reflected in the
traditional dances of Daman. Various forms
of Portuguese dance are still popular.
Tribal dances with caustic social comment
are very much in vogue.
Nariyal Poornima
Nariyal Poornima marks the commencement of
the fishing season and the people of Daman
flock to the sea-shore to offer coconut to
the mighty Gods who preside over wind and
water. Nariyal Poornima is a day of joy,
feasting and revelry Hundreds of tourists
come to Daman to witness a variety of
colorful water sports and to attend the
cultural programmes.
Christmas
Daman explodes with light, laughter song and
dance during the happy season of Christ's
Nativity. It is a season of good-will and
fellowship. The Administration of Daman
celebrates Christmas as part of its tourism
promotion programme and people from far and
wide come to witness the fascinating
Portuguese dance and to taste the well-known
Christmas cookies of Daman.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Area 72 Sq. Km.
Population 62,101 (1991 Census figure)
Climate Summer warm
Rainfall 190 cm
Altitude 12 metres
Tourist Season September to May
Clothing Required Cotton in Summer, light
woolens in Winter.
Languages Spoken Gujarati, English, Hindi,
Portuguese.
COMMUNICATION
Telephone facilities with STD are abundantly
available in Daman. The facility of a post
office is available at Daman (pin code
396220). Besides, Daman is connected by
direct dialing system (STD Code 02636). STD,
PCO and ISD booths are avail- able near all
places of tourist interest.
GETTING THERE
Daman is one of the easiest State Transport
buses am operating tourist-spot to mach.
lust 193 km daily from Vapi to Daman. Those
who from the Megapolis, Mumbai by the come
to Daman from Mumbai by the National Highway
No. 8.
Trains
Most of the Express and Passenger trains
from Mumbai Central and Bandar Terminus to
Surat, Ahmedabad and Delhi (Western
Railways) stop at Vapi, where the traveler
to Daman has to alight. He may also alight
at Valsad which is just 45 kms. from Daman
by road.
Road
Bombay-Ahmedabad National Highway No. 8
connects Daman via Vapi by road. It is 190
km away from Bombay, 360 km from Ahmedabad
and 768 km from Diu.
Diu Tourism
Pandavas during their fourteen years of
exile are believed to have passed a few days
at a place known as Mani Nagar (DIU) which
was under the Yadavas led by Krishna
Vasudeva during Mahabharata period.
According to mythology, Diu was ruled by the
great king Jallandhar who was a daitya
(Demon) and was killed by Lord Vishnu with
his Sudarshan Chakra. The temple of
Jallandhar still exists in Diu.
A palm-fringed, largely deserted and
secluded beach, Nagoa is undoubtedly one of
the most beautiful beaches in India. The
unique shoe-shape of the beach makes it all
the more beautiful.
The island of Diu, an erstwhile Portuguese
colony, is situated off the Saurashtra coast
of Gujarat bordering Junagadh district. The
other equally beautiful beaches are Ahmedpur,
Mandvi,Chakratirath, Jallandhar, and
Gomtimata all having their own charm and
thrill.The word 'Diu' is derived from the
Sanskrit word 'Dweep'. During the period
from the 14th to 16th century Diu was one of
the best Sea Ports and a Naval base.
Area:
38.5 sq.km, Altitude : 29 meters, Climate :
(deg C)- Summer- Min 20, Max 38; Winter- Min
20, Max 25, Rainfall: 70cms, Best Season :
October to May.
Places Of Interest:
Diu Fort, Forte do Mar, Gupta Prayag at
Delwada , Gangeshwar Temple , Nagao Beach ,
Shaking Tower at Delwada.
Excursions:
Girnar Hill, Junagadh-185 kms, Palitana-195
kms, Somnath Temple- 72 kms, Sasangir-128
kms, Tulsi Shyam- 45 kms, , Chorwad- 97 kms,
Ahmedpur Mandvi-130 kms.
How to Reach There
-
By Air: Well connected to Bombay and
Ahmedabad.
By Rail: Nearest railhead is
Delwada-9 kms.
By Road: Una- 30 kms, Ahmedabad- 495
kms, Bhavnagar- 225 kms, Bombay- 930 kms,
Daman- 763 kms, Sasangir-128 kms, Rajkot-
261 kms, Somnath- 87 kms, Veraval- 77 kms.
|
French
Español
Italiano
Deutsch
Português
India
Travel Guide / States / Daman and Diu Travel Guide
