World Tour Guides: One of the island near India is Lakshadweep. It is also known as the Laccadive Islands, Lakshadweep Archipelago Sea 200-440 km from the coast of south-western Indian state of Kerala. Smaller islands form the territory of the Indian Union. The total area is 11 square miles or 32 km ². The ten islands are inhabited. Lakshadweep is the northern part of the former. The islands are the northernmost of the Maldives-Lakshadweep-Chagos group of islands, which are actually the tops of a wide range of undersea mountains, in the Indian Ocean and Arabian Sea. Surface area is 32 square miles the lagoon is about 4200 square kilometers of territorial waters in an area of 20,000 square miles, exclusive economic zone and the area of 400 thousand square kilometers.
The 17th century, the islands came under the rule of Rajah Ali / Arakkal Bheevi and Kannur, which received them as gifts Kolathiris. Portugal took control of the coconut production up to benefit the islanders expelled the Portuguese. The islands are also mentioned in great detail the stories of Arab friends of Ibn Battuta. Amindivi group of islands came under the rule of Tipu Sultan in 1787. Will be sent to British control after the third Anglo-Mysore War and annexed in South Canara. The rest of the islands had sovereignty and Cannanore Arakkal family in exchange for the payment of an annual tribute. The British took over the management of these islands of unpaid arrears. These islands became Malabar in Madras Presidency during the British Raj.
The main islands are Kavaratti, Agatti, Minicoy, and Amini. The total population of the territory was 60,595 according to the 2001 census. Agatti has an airport where there are direct flights from Kochi, Kerala or Ernakulam (Cochin). Tourists need a permit to visit the islands; foreign nationals are not permitted to visit certain islands. Consumption of alcohol is not permitted in the islands except on Bangaram Island. Everybody, Indian or otherwise, requires a special permit to visit Lakshadweep. By far the easiest way to obtain it is to book a package tour through the government's tour operator SPORTS or arrange a hotel to sort it out for you; in fact, for foreigners, accommodation booked in advance is a precondition for being allowed to visit.
Foreigners are restricted to the islands of Agatti, Bangaram and Kadmat, plus transit only (max. 12 hours) in Kavaratti. Indians may visit the other islands as well, but accommodation is very limited. Nearly everybody going to Lakshadweep has to pass through Kochi, from where you can continue by plane or ship: By plane Indian Airlines and Kingfisher fly daily from Kochi to the airstrip at Agatti, the only one on the islands. Kingfisher Red has a daily nonstop flight from Bangalore. Flights to Goa have been terminated. By ship The MV Tipu Sultan, MV Bharat Seema, MV Amindivi and MV Minicoy operate between Kochi and various islands in Lakshadweep. The trip takes 14-18 hours one day depending on the destination island. All four are basic 1960s-era ferries but fairly well maintained and tolerable comfortable. The Tipu Sultan is generally held to be the best of the bunch, with three classes of accommodation (A/C cabin, A/C reclining seats and deck) plus a cafeteria, snack bar, and upper deck promenade. Return fares are around Rs.3800 in A/C seats, which is the cheapest class available for packages. There are also occasional cruises directly from Mumbai.
The 17th century, the islands came under the rule of Rajah Ali / Arakkal Bheevi and Kannur, which received them as gifts Kolathiris. Portugal took control of the coconut production up to benefit the islanders expelled the Portuguese. The islands are also mentioned in great detail the stories of Arab friends of Ibn Battuta. Amindivi group of islands came under the rule of Tipu Sultan in 1787. Will be sent to British control after the third Anglo-Mysore War and annexed in South Canara. The rest of the islands had sovereignty and Cannanore Arakkal family in exchange for the payment of an annual tribute. The British took over the management of these islands of unpaid arrears. These islands became Malabar in Madras Presidency during the British Raj.
The main islands are Kavaratti, Agatti, Minicoy, and Amini. The total population of the territory was 60,595 according to the 2001 census. Agatti has an airport where there are direct flights from Kochi, Kerala or Ernakulam (Cochin). Tourists need a permit to visit the islands; foreign nationals are not permitted to visit certain islands. Consumption of alcohol is not permitted in the islands except on Bangaram Island. Everybody, Indian or otherwise, requires a special permit to visit Lakshadweep. By far the easiest way to obtain it is to book a package tour through the government's tour operator SPORTS or arrange a hotel to sort it out for you; in fact, for foreigners, accommodation booked in advance is a precondition for being allowed to visit.
Foreigners are restricted to the islands of Agatti, Bangaram and Kadmat, plus transit only (max. 12 hours) in Kavaratti. Indians may visit the other islands as well, but accommodation is very limited. Nearly everybody going to Lakshadweep has to pass through Kochi, from where you can continue by plane or ship: By plane Indian Airlines and Kingfisher fly daily from Kochi to the airstrip at Agatti, the only one on the islands. Kingfisher Red has a daily nonstop flight from Bangalore. Flights to Goa have been terminated. By ship The MV Tipu Sultan, MV Bharat Seema, MV Amindivi and MV Minicoy operate between Kochi and various islands in Lakshadweep. The trip takes 14-18 hours one day depending on the destination island. All four are basic 1960s-era ferries but fairly well maintained and tolerable comfortable. The Tipu Sultan is generally held to be the best of the bunch, with three classes of accommodation (A/C cabin, A/C reclining seats and deck) plus a cafeteria, snack bar, and upper deck promenade. Return fares are around Rs.3800 in A/C seats, which is the cheapest class available for packages. There are also occasional cruises directly from Mumbai.
