Shopping at Natural
Nirvana
|
|
Pop:
53,000
These palm-tree covered, coral islands have beautiful lagoons and are
an attractive and peaceful place. xe "Lakshadweep"Lakshadweep
consists of 36 islands located between 200km and 300km off the Kerala
coast. These islands are coral islands, northern extension of the Maldives.
Ten of the islands are inhabited: Andrott, Amini, Agatti, Bitra, Chetlat,
Kadmat, Kalpeni, Kavaratti (headquarters), Kiltan, and Minicoy.
Lakshadweep
is a Union Territory of India. At the present time, foreign tourists
must stay at the Bangaram Island Resort managed by the Casino Hotel
group, on the island of Bangaram, a 6km by 10km island.
Malayalam
is the language spoken on the islands except for the island of Minicoy,
where the people speak Mahi, the language spoken in the Maldives. 93%
of the population is Muslim belonging to the Shafi School of the Sunni
sect. The main source of income is fishing and the production of coir.
History
It is said that a marabout (a Muslim saint) was shipwrecked on the island
of Amini in the 7th century. After much effort he was able to convert
the residents of the island to become Muslims. He was buried on the
island of Andrott and his grave is considered to be a holy site. At
that time the Hindu Raja of Chitakkal ruled these islands. In the 16th
century, Lakshadweep came under the rule of the Muslim rulers of Kannur,
and in 1783 Tipu Sultan. After the British defeated Tipu in 1799, the
islands came under the control of the East India Company. It was made
a Union Territory in 1956.
Information
Foreign tourist must have a permit to visit. The Casino Hotel (0484
668-221; fax 668-001), Willingdon Island, Kochi, can arrange for a permit
within a few days. Bangaram has excellent beaches and beautiful lagoons.
It also has outstanding coral formations that many beautiful exotic
fish swim around.
Foreign
tourists can visit three other, smaller islands on day trips: Parali–1,
Parali–2, and Thinnakara.
Indian
nationals can visit the islands by boat cruise arranged through the
Casino Hotel in Kochi. Indian tourists can also visit the islands of
Kadmat, Kavaratii, Minicoy, Kalpeni, and Androth as part of a package
tour.
There
are Lakshadweep offices in Delhi and Kochi. Trips to Lakshadweep are
organized by the Society for Promotion of Recreational Tourism (SPORTS).
Their office in Kochi is (0484 668-387; fax 0484 668-155), Lakshadweep
Office, Indira Gandhi Rd, Willingdon Island, Kochi 682-003; and in Delhi:
Lakshadweep Office, 306 Curzon Rd, Kasturba Gandhi Marg, New Delhi 110001
(011 338-6807).
Some
travel agencies who organize trips to Lakshadweep are Sita Travels (331-1133;
fax 332-4652), 12 Connaught Place, Delhi; Raj Travels (361-8639; fax
361-4572), Opera House, M Parmanand Marg, Mumbai; Lakshadweep Foundation
(21969), Lighthouse Hill, Mangalore; and Mercury (852-0988), 191 Anna
Salai, Chennai.
Where
to Stay and Eat
The 30-room Bangaram Island Resort is the only place where foreigners
are permitted to stay. From mid-December to mid-June, rooms (including
meals) go for $240/250. During the low season, rooms are $150/200. Sailboats,
catamarans, and kayaks are included in the price. Scuba diving ($50
per dive), snorkeling, and boat trips are extra. To stay here, contact
the Manager, Bangaram Island Resort, Casino Hotel (0484 666-821; fax
0484 668-001), Willingdon Island, Kochi 682003.
Indian tourists on a boat cruise to the islands usually stay on their
boats. There are cottages on the islands of Kadmat, Kavaratti, Minicoy,
and Kalpeni. Places to stay are usually included in the price of a package
tour.
Travel
Air Indian Airlines has flights from Kochi to Agatti
(3 weekly, $150). From Agatti to the resort costs $30 by boat and $89
by helicopter.
Boat Tours by luxury ship to the islands are organized
through SPORTS (see above). Different 5 or 6-day tours costs between
Rs 5000 and Rs 7500. Only Indian nationals can take these tours. Boats
usually depart from Kochi and take around 25 hours to get to the islands.
If you know of
a informationthat is not correct or if you would like to help update
our listings, please e-mail us at:
|
|
Search Site
Our
own Vegetarian, Vegan, Alternative & Spiritual Sales Shop
Buy
Spiritual India, A Practical Guide
Practical
NEPAL Guide
Our
own Vegetarian, Vegan, Alternative & Spiritual Sales Shop
How To Travel Cheaply Using the Internet
!!
DVD Kurma Great Vegetarian Dsihes Cooking Videos Set for just $49.
Individually each video costs $14.95.for a savings of over $100
24
Devotional DVD Set for just $99 Individually each
video cost $14.95 for a savings of over $200
VEGAN BAGS
Hemp
Bags
Vegetarian
& Animal Rights Message Bag
Hemp
Backpacks
Indian
Quilted & Embroidered Bags
Ecolution
Bags
Splaff
Bags
CLOTHES
Vegetarian
T-Shirts
Animal
Rights T-Shirts
Vedic Gods T-Shirts
Hemp
Gloves
Vegan
Message Hats
Animal
Rights Beanies
Hemp
Hats
Vegetarian
Message Hats
Indian
Men Clothing
Indian
Women Clothing
Scarves
Indian
design Stoles
Indian
Sarongs
Sacred
Threads Tops
S.
T. Dresses
S.
T. Pants
Sacred
Threads Children Clothing
Bedding
& Pillows (beautiful)
Indian
Bedspreads
Indian
Design Quilts
Indian
Design Pillows
FOOD
Raw Foods
Vegan
Foods
AYURVEDIC
MEDICINES
Ayurvedic
Medicines
Neem
Products
Ayurvedic
Books
Herbal
Vedic
NeemAura
AyurvedicSupplements
Ayurvedic
Incense
Organic
South Neem
Ayurvedic
Soaps
Ayurveda
Toothpaste
Ayurveda
Massage Oil
VEGAN
HEALTH
Vegan
Vitamins
Vegan
Herbal Remedies
Massage
Oils
Sport
Supplements
Vegan
Protein
First
Aid Products
Cold
Medicines
Olbas
Well-In-Hand
Skin
& Blemish
Herbal
Salves & Balms
VEGAN
BODY CARE
Vegan
Soaps
Vegan
Shampoos
Vegan
Hair Spays
Vegan
Toothpaste
Tongue
Cleaners
Neti
Pots
Vegan
Perfumes
Vegan
Sun Care
Lip
Balm
Contact
Len Cleaner
Skin
Treatments
Men's
Products
Dental
Floss
Natural
Mouthwashes
Vegan
Hair Removal System
INCENSE
& OILS
Incenses
Essential
Oil
Vegan
Candles
VEGAN BELTS & WALLETS
Vegan
Wallets
Hemp
Belts
Vegan
Belts
Hemp
Guitar Straps
VEGETARIAN
&
VEGAN BOOKS
Vegan
Books
Vegetarian
Books
Vegan
Cookbooks
Vegetarian
Cookbooks
Restaurant
Cookbooks
Raw
Food Book
VEG
COSMETIC
Eyeshadows
& Liners
Nail
Polish
Blush
Lip
Stick
Mascara
Powders
Nail
Polish
VEDIC
& SPIRITUAL
Mandala
Publishers
OM Jewelry
Krishna
Photos
Radha
& Krishna Dolls
JEWELRY
Anklets
OM
Jewelry
Nose
Rings & Studs
Toe
Rings
Astrological
Gems
Earrings
Pendants
Silver
Tulasi Beads
Neckbeads
Necklaces
Silver
Jewelry
Gold
Jewelry
BUTTONS STICKER
Animal
Rights Buttons
Vegan
Patch
Jam
Bands Stickers
Jam
Band Stickers (20 stickers for $5)
SPIRITUAL
BOOKS
All
Books
Holy
Places
Vedic
Scriptures
Mandala
Publishing
Art
Books
Kurma
Cook Books
Bhagavat
Gita
Caitanya
Mahaprabhu
Children
Srimad
Bhagvatam
Spiritual
Biography
Vedic
Coloring Books
SPIRITUAL
MUCIC
Bhajans
S.
Prabhupada Bhajans
Kirtana
New
Age
Musical
Instruments
Spiritual
Lessons
Audio
Vedic Books
VEGETARIAN
VIDEO
Vegetarian
Cooking
Vegetarian
SPIRTUAL VIDEO
Devotional
Movies
Interactive
CDs
Vedic
Puppet Shows
Vedic
Art & Culture
Indian
Music Lessons
Bhativedanta
Swami Prabhupada
Spiritual
Photos & Art
Krishna
Posters
Krishna
Pictures
Vedic
Gods Photos
Vedic
Gods Posters
OTHER
PRODUCTS
Putumayo
World Music
Pet
Products
Outdoor
Neem
Air
Garcia T-shirt
Bob
Marley Reggae
Hats
Shirts
Key
Chains
License
Plates
Scarves
Books
Please
Help Support This Site Buy USA Vegetarian Restaurants Book
Please check out
our Natural
Nirvana Store, which we started to help
pay for the maintenance of this Website. Natural Nirvana is dedicated
to selling vegetarian, spiritual and alternative products. We sell only
animal-friendly and cruelty-free clothing, gifts, health foods, books
and beauty products.
|
