Lakshadweep
|| Lakshadweep || Accommodation in Lakshadweep || Adventure Tourism in Lakshadweep || Agatti Island Beach Resort || Art and Culture of Lakshadweep || Bangaram Island Resort || Basic Facts of Lakshadweep || How to Reach Lakshadweep || Islands of Lakshadweep || Kadmat Beach Resort || Tribes of Lakshadweep ||
In Malayalam the literal meaning of Lakshadweep is ‘a hundred thousand islands’, however virtually there are only 36 islands. The total areas covered by the islands are 36 square kilometers. The smallest Union Terrotory of India, Lakshadweep is sought after by the tourists from all over the world for its coral reefs and facilities for wide varieties of water sports. Only ten islands are inhabited and these are Agatti, Amini, Andrott, Bitra, Chetlat, Kadmat, Kalpeni, Kavaratti, Kiltan and Minicoy.
Legend traces that initially in the islands of Amini, Kavaratti Andrott and Kalpeni, people first settled and gradually the population spread to other neighboring islands like Agatti, Kiltan, Chetlat and Kadmat.
Legend Related to Islam :
There is popular legend behind the Islam roots in Lakshadweep. The advent of Islam in Lakshadweep has its origins in the 7th century. Once St. Ubaidulla of Mecca saw a dream that Prophet Mohammad wanted him to go a voyage to Jeddah. He sailed from there and went to distant places of the world. While he was sailing his ship was wrecked in a sea storm near the Lakshadweep islands. Then he was swept ashore floating on a plank. He propagated Islam in the islands. Now 95% of the total population belongs to Muslim.
Occupation :
Fishing and coconut cultivation are the main means of occupation of people of Lakshadweep. They live in a remote world of nature. While in Lakshadweep one can explore the village life of the communities living in close harmony with nature.
Tourism :
One of the major tropical island systems of the world, Lakshadweep islands are known for its various flora and fauna. The marine wealth of the lagoons is tremendous. Eco-tourism promotion is the main aim of the administration to avoid the bad affects of coastal tourism. All the islands are gifted with coral reefs, sandy clean beaches, pollution free environment; the islands are hub for wide varieties of water sports like sea fishing, sailing, boating, kayaking, lagoon diving, snorkeling and scuba diving. Some islands are ideal getaway for romantic voyage while some are ideal for water sports adventure. The tour packages to Lakshadweep are adventure coral reefs tour, angling tour, cultural tour, romantic getaway, etc.
Flora and Fauna in Lakshadweep :
Lakshadweep Island is rich flora and fauna. The extensively found flora of the islands are Banana, Vazha,(Musaparadisiaca), Colocassia, Chambu (Colocassia antiquarum) Drumstic moringakkai (Moringa Oleifera), Bread Fruit, Chakka (Artocarpus incisa) wild almond (Terminalia Catappa). The shrub jungle plants are Kanni (Scaevolakeeningil), Punna, (Calaphylluminophyllum), Chavok (Casurina equisetifolia), Cheerani (Thespesia Populnea. The major crops are Coconut, Thenga.
The marine life of the sea is rich. The common vertebrates are cattle and poultry. Oceanic birds of the islands are Tharathasi (Sterna fuscata) and Karifetu (Anous solidus) which are mostly found in uninhabited Pitti. The colorful coral fishes are parrot fish (Callyedon sordidus), Butterfly fish (Chaetodon Auriga), Surgeon fish (Acanthurus lineotus).
