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Diu |
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Information on
Diu
Daman and Diu are the two tiny union territories which
were the Portuguese enclaves. Geographically, Daman
and Diu are the part of the state of Gujarat and
connected to the mainland of Gujarat by a causeway.
Diu is a tiny island in the Arabian Sea, about 11 kms.
long and 3 kms. wide, separated from the coast by a
narrow channel running through the swamp and two tiny
mainland enclaves. It is very difficult to reach here
so one has to travel through the town of UNA. The
northern side of the island facing Gujarat is tidal
marsh and salt pans, while the southern coast
alternates between |
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limestone cliffs, rocky
coves and sandy beaches. The island's main industries are
fishing, tourism, booze and salt. This beautiful island has
excellent golden beaches, whitewashed churches, bazaar,
colourful Lisboa streets, gorgeous climate, huge Portuguese
fort, lush seafood and Gujarati weekenders who flock for the
cheap booze and sunshine. Gujarati, Hindi, English and
Portuguese are the main languages which are spoken in Diu.
The best time to visit Diu is from September to May.
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History of Diu
Diu has a very long and glorious history that stretches back
into legends and mythology. It was believed that Pandava
brothers of the Mahabharata spent a part of their fourteen
years exile in Diu. According to the legends, Diu was once
ruled by the great king Jallandhar who was a demon and was
killed by the Lord Vishnu with his Sudarshan Chakra. Diu was
the first settlement in India of the Parsis who came from
Persia in the 7th century. Diu was also ruled by the
Mauryans during 320-322 BC and was the main trade center on
the Saurashtra Coast. Between the 14th and 16th centuries
Diu was an important trading post and naval base from which
the Ottomans controlled the northern Arabian Sea shipping
routes. Portugal made a unsuccessful attempt to capture the
island in 1531, during which the Bahadur Shah, Sultan of
Gujarat was assisted by the Turkish navy. The Portuguese
finally secured control in 1535 by taking advantage of the
war between the Sultan and Mughal emperor, Humayun. When the
Humayun attacked the Sultan of Gujarat, the Gujarat Sultan
entered into a treaty with the Portuguese in 1535 for their
help against him and give them control over the Diu Port.
The treaty was soon ignored and although both Bahadur Shah
and his successor, Sultan Mahmud III, attempted to contest
the issue, the peace treaty that was eventually signed in
1539 ceded the island of Diu and the mainland enclave of
Ghoghla to Portugal. Diu was also rewarded to the Portuguese
governor Nuno De Cunha, who constructed a fort in Diu and
raised his arsenal. Governor Joao de Castro finally seized
Diu in 1546 and it remained a Portuguese enclave till its
liberation in 1961 along with Daman and Goa. Seven Rajput
soldiers and a few civilians were killed in the Operation
Vijay, which ended Portuguese rule in 1961. Diu was taken
over by India in 1961. With Daman, it is still governed from
Delhi as a Union Territory.
Tourist Attractions in Diu
The Diu town was the first landing point for the Parsis when
they fled from Persia and stayed there for only three years.
The town is sandwiched between the massive fort to the east
and a huge city wall to the west. The major tourist
attractions in Diu town are the Diu Fort, St. Paul's Church,
Jallandhar Shrine, Gangeshwar Temple, Diu Museum and Nagoa
Beach. Diu Fort is an expansive and imposing structure,
situated on the coast of the island. It was constructed
between 1535 and 1541 AD and offers a magnificent view of
the sea. St. Paul's Church is dedicated to the Lady of
Immaculate Conception and built during the 17th century. Diu
museum houses wooden carvings, statues, idols, shadow clocks
and other important artifacts collected from various sites.
Nagoa beach is very beautiful beach, in the shape of a horse
shoe.
More...
Festivals in Diu
A grand festival of culture and sporting activities is held
for 5 days from 19 to 23 December every year to commemorate
Diu's Liberation Day. In this festival various folk
performers and traditional craftsmen expose their talents in
order to keep the heritage of Diu alive.
How to reach Diu
By Air
Diu is easily connected by air and has regular flights to
Mumbai.
By Road
Diu has excellent all weather road links with the major
cities of Gujarat like Ahmedabad, Bhavnagar, Rajkot and
Baroda.
By Rail
The nearest railway station is located at Delwada, between
Una and Ghoghla and is only about 8 kms. from Diu. |
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