Daman and Diu
Capital: Daman
Area: 112 square km.
Population: 158,059 (2004)
Daman
Daman enjoys a balmy climate and therefore is pleasant through the year—one reason why it is so popular with tourists. The best time to visit, however, is between October and May, when the weather is cool and inviting, and just right to enjoy the great cuisine of the region.
STD Code: 02363
HOW TO GET THERE
¦ Nearest railhead and inter-State bus stand is Vapi (12 km) on Western Railway's Mumbai-Ahmedabad line. Daman is about TOotcm by road from Mumbai on the NH-8
INFORMATION
¦ Govt of Daman & Diu, 1 st Floor, Hotel Nilkanth Building, Near Auto Stand, Nani Daman
WHERE TO STAY
There are a number of hotels and resorts in Daman; pick one according to preference of location or facilities.
¦ Samrat (Collectorate Road): Clean rooms, excellent restaurant and helpful management; tel: 252 354
¦ Gurukripa (Nani Daman): Comfortable, air-conditioned rooms, rooftop garden, good multi-cuisine restaurant; tel: 255 046
¦ Suruchi Beach Resort (Daman-Vapi Road): Air-conditioned rooms with all the mod cons; tel: 255 134
WHERE TO EAT
¦ Martha's Place (opposite the Museum): Excellent home cooking and good views
¦ Kadliya Lake Resort: An island resort run by Daman Tourism, with beautiful lawns, gardens, waterfalls, fountains and boating— a great destination for families
¦ Damanganga Lake Garden (Daman-Vapi Road): Lake facing restaurant with a kitschy, Mughal theme bar.
MONUMENTS
¦ Fort of Moti Daman: A16th century Portuguese settlement, this colossal structure is 30,000 sq m in size, with 10 bastions and two gateways. Inside are the living vestiges of an earlier era, with sun-dappled streets and mansions with sweeping staircases, wooden shutters, airy verandahs and colour-washed facades. Now used as government offices, these were originally the homes of Portuguese fidalgos (nobles). The main gateways display dramatic arches, with Portuguese coats of arms carved on them.
¦ St Jerome's Fort: A smaller fort best known for the church of St Jerome which exhibits a four-feet high cross and a seven-and-a-half feet high statue of St Jerome— both carved from a single piece of stone. Some of the old houses within the fort retain beautifully carved wooden doors and lintels. m Pargola Garden: A monument raised in memory of Portuguese soldiers who fell during the liberation of Dadra and Nagar Haveli. It resembles the legendary Pantheon at Athens.
PLACES OF WORSHIP
¦ Cathedral of Bom Jesus: Started in 1559 and consecrated in 1603, it has a gigantic gabled baroque fagade, richly carved doorways, lofty ceilings and an intricately gilded altar watched over by six saints and a benign Madonna.
¦ Rosario Chapel: Has beautifully carved and gilded wooden panels illustrating stories from the life of Jesus Christ. These include the adoration of the Magi, Jesus teaching in the synagogue as a child, and Mary's ascension. The carved ceiling features charming cherubs, interspersed with strings
MAJOR EVENTS
¦ Nariyal Poornima: Marks the beginning of the fishing season, and is celebrated by offering coconuts to the gods of wind and water. Accompanied by various watersports and cultural programmes.
¦Christmas: Celebrations are accompanied by a vibrant tourist festival, where you can witness fascinating Portuguese dances and taste Daman's famous cookies of fragrant jasmine and rose petals.
¦ Catholic Church of Nani Daman: Located within the fort of Nani Daman, this is one of the ancient seats of the Catholic church. It has a fine altar and superb panelling, with wide steps leading to the ramparts.
¦ Chapel of Our Lady of Remedies: An amalgamation of Gothic and Byzantine architecture, this 16th century Portuguese church houses a grand prayer hall and beautifully carved figures.
¦ Satya Narayan Temple: The temple occupies an area of 9,424 sq ft and dates back to 1900. The ante-chamber is divided into compartments housing idols of principal deities—including Satya Narayan, Mahalakshmi and Krishna—all carved in marble. In the centre of the roof is a flower design depicting Krishna's raasleela, while the mandap's walls have beautiful montages of Krishna, Lakshmi, Sarasvati, Shiva, Kinkardas, Ambajimata and Vishnu in plaster of paris.
SHOPPING
The covered Portuguese market is a good place to pick up imported items; while the open-air farmer's market has a delightful collection of fresh flowers and spices.
OTHER PLACE TO SEE
¦ Devka: A beach with a long coastline, it has an amusement park and musical fountain that makes it popular with travellers.
¦ Jampore Beach: On the fringes of the Gujarat border, this casuarina-fringed beach is a swimmer's paradise—uncluttered, pristine and perfect for recovering from city stress and chaos.
Diu
The best time to visit this beautiful island is between October and May.
STD Code: 02875
HOW TO GET THERE
¦ By air: There are direct daily flights between Mumbai and Diu, making it a very convenient destination to access
¦ By road: Diu is well connected to most major cities in Gujarat like Una (30 km), Ahmedabad (495 km), Bhavnagar (225 km), Mumbai (930 km), Daman (763 km), Sasangir (128 km) and Rajkot (261 km).
TOURIST INFORMATION
Tourist Information Office, Marine House, Bundar Chowk, Diu; tel: (02875) 252653
WHERE TO STAY
¦ Pensao Beira Mar (Fort Road): Colonial ambience with sea-facing balconies and a rooftop restaurant; tel: 52342
¦ Samrat: Clean rooms, excellent restaurant and helpful management; tel: 52354
WHERE TO EAT
¦ Rio Bar & Restaurant, Hotel Kohinoor, Diu
¦ Rivera, Radhika Resort, Nagoa
¦ Prato Telecio, Delecioco, Suzlon Hotel, Ghoghla
¦ Peacock, Hotel Samrat
¦ Apana's Foodland, Fort Road
¦ Vivek Bar & Restaurant, Triveni Hotel.
MUSEUMS
¦ Diu Museum: Housed within the St Thomas Church, the museum has a fine collection of antique sculptures, old stone inscriptions, wooden carvings, shadow-clocks and other artefacts
WHAT TO SEE
¦ Diu Fort: Considered one of Asia's most important Portuguese forts, this imposing 16th century structure is skirted by the sea on three sides, and a rock-cut canal on the fourth. Now almost completely abandoned, it still houses antique cannons and an ethereal lighthouse, while the walls, gateways, arches, ramps and bastions give an excellent glimpse of its forbidding defence. Very popular with tourists for the picturesque views of the sea from here.
¦ Forte de Mar (Fortress of Panikot): A magnificent stone structure at the mouth of a creek. About a mile from the Diu jetty, this fort too has a lighthouse and a small chapel dedicated to Our Lady of the Sea.
¦ Nagar Seth's Haveli: Panchwati and Makata Lane house some of the most stunning Portuguese mansions, ranging from Venetian-Gothic style bungalows to carved wooden or stone havelis. Nagar Seth's haveli is one of the most impressive.
¦ Night market: A must visit, and very popular with travellers. Whether you're looking to buy the quaint local handicrafts or simply soak in the warm, friendly atmosphere, this is a good place to do it.
PLACES OF WORSHIP
¦ St Paul's Church: Probably one of the most elaborate Portuguese structures in India, the fagade of this early 17th century church is adorned with curiously treated volutes and shell-like motifs, while the interior has impressive wooden panelling h Gangeshwar Temple: A sea-washed temple situated on the rocky coastline, it houses a shivalinga known as Gangeshwar
SHOPPING
¦ Cottage Emporia: For stone, metal and shell crafts is suitable for swimming and a variety of water sports. There is also a small seashell museum, displaying a large number of crustacean shells, corals, fish and marine life from all over the world, collected by a retired Merchant Navy captain.
¦ Sasan Gir: 95 km from Diu, many rate this as one of the best wildlife sanctuaries in the world. Sasan Gir has been the only home of the beleaguered Asiatic Lion since 1914. The park has more than 300 lions in an area of 1,412 sq km and a core area of 260 sq km. w Somnath: A temple town housing one of the 12 Shiva jyotrilingas. Legend says the temple first appeared in gold, at the behest of the Sun God; then in silver at the behest of the Moon God; and in stone when it was rebuilt by Bhim.
¦ Fudam: One of the five satellite villages that form part of the territory, this settlement resembles a beautiful Mediterranean village. Surprisingly, there are only women, children and old people in this village:all the young men have migrated to Lisbon!