Lakshadweep

Lakshadweep, the group of 36 islands is known for its exotic and sun-kissed beaches and lush green landscape. The name Lakshadweep in Malayalam and Sanskrit means ‘a hundred thousand islands’. India’s smallest Union Territory Lakshadweep is an archipelago consisting of 36 islands with an area of 32 sq km. It is a uni-district Union Territory and is comprised of 12 atolls, three reefs, five submerged banks and ten inhabited islands. The islands comprise of 32 sq km. The capital is Kavaratti and it is also the principal town of the UT. All Islands are 220 to 440 km away from the coastal city of Kochi in Kerala, in the emerald Arabian Sea. The natural landscapes, the sandy beaches, abundance of flora and fauna and the absence of a rushed lifestyle enhance the mystique of Lakshadweep.
The islands are well connected by regular flights from Kochi. Helicopter transfer is available from Agatti to Kavaratti throughout the year. Lakshadweep has a tropical climate and it has an average temperature of 27° C – 32° C. April and May are the hottest with an average temperature of 32° C Generally the climate is humid warm and pleasant. As the climate is equitable during monsoons, ship-based tourism is closed. October to March is the ideal time to be on the islands. From June to October the South West Monsoon is active with an average rainfall of 10-40 mm. The relative humidity is 70-75%. Annual rainfall decreases from South to North. On an average, 80-90 days a year are rainy. Winds are light to moderate from October to March.
  • Key Facts
  • When to go
  • Travel Tools
  • Key Attraction
  • Festivals & Events
  • Shopping Tips
  • Food & Drinks

1.Lakshadweep is a Union Territory of India. This state is controlled by the Government of India.
There are seven union territories in India which include Lakshadweep. Lakshadweep, built of 36 islands,is famous for its beauty. Kavaratti is the capital of this union territory. This Union Territory is the smallest Union Territory.
2.Some people here believe that in 661 Ubaidullah, an Arabic man had begun Islam’s religion. His grave is seen on the island of Androth. In the 11th century, this island was ruled by the Chola dynasty and after that Kananor was ruled.
3.On November 1, 1956, Lakshadweep has declared a Union Territory separated from Madras. Before the name was given to the island, some people called it Laccadive, Minicoy and Amindivi Islands, but on November 1, 1973, it was named Lakshadweep.
4.People living on this island speak like the people of Kerala and get a mixture of Indian and Arabic languages in their language.The people of Lakshadweep speak only in the Malayalam language.
5.The culture and tradition of the Lakshadweep group are quite prosperous. There are many customs and traditions here. The people of Islam’s religion also live here, but you can also see people of other religions.
6.It is a well-known place for pollution-free air, clean water, and guest hospitality and convenience.
Here you can enjoy the sea driving or enjoy a lot of natural pleasure and comfort. Here are the main shores – the Kavaratti coast, the coast of Kalpani, the Minicoy Beach, the Kadmat Coast, the Agatti coast and the Bangaram coast.
7.Agatti Island
Lakshadweep can be entered only from Aggeti Island. This island is about 459 km away from Cochin. Aggeti Island is about 6 km long. There is a large amount of fish seen on this island.
Here tourists can enjoy swimming, and scuba diving. Due to the large gulf here, this island looks very beautiful. People on this island can enjoy scuba diving, fishing, sailing, boat riding, water skiing, and kayaking.
8.Kavaratti
This is the most developed island of Lakshadweep. Kavaratti is also the capital of Lakshadweep, and most of the people coming from outside are living on this island. There are many mosques (about 52) in which ujra Mosque is the most beautiful.

9.Kalpeni
Kalpani is located at a distance of about 76 km from Andorot. This place is located in a large bay. There are different types of sea creatures in this bay.

10.Kadmat Island
Kadmat Island is the most beautiful island here, which is why it has become a tourist attraction. To the west of this island, there is a very large gulf, which is situated only 10 km away from Amini.

11.Bangaram Atoll
Due to its very soft sand and forest, it is considered to be the world’s best tourist destination. The sand is so good and soft because of its ocean. This island is about 8 km away north of Agatti Island.

The best time to visit Lakshadweep for water sports is from October to May. Avoid the months of southwest monsoon from June to September for a holiday in Lakshadweep as it may be a little tough for the ships to navigate through choppy waters which also is not the best time to indulge in water adventure. The temperature during October to May ranges from 22 to 33 degree Celsius making it perfect for beach activities. Although the idyllic islands with a tropical climate can be visited any time of the year, the peak tourist season in Lakshadweep is from December to February. The months of March and April are the warmest. If you want to book hotels in Lakshadweep for cheap then plan a vacation during the off-season which is from June to September. An archipelago of 35 islands out of which 10 are inhabited, Lakshadweep is a little gem with atolls, lagoons, submerged banks and reefs. The tourists visit Lakshadweep for its vibrant corals making it among the few places to see the coral reef in India. The emerald-waters and the powdery sands of Lakshadweep will make you feel on cloud nine.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit. Optio, neque qui velit. Magni dolorum quidem ipsam eligendi, totam, facilis laudantium cum accusamus ullam voluptatibus commodi numquam, error, est. Ea, consequatur.

• Minicoy Island: Go For A Boat Ride
• Kadmat Island: Relish Delicious Local Food
• Kavaratti Island: Witness Mesmerizing Sunsets
• Marine Museum: Have An Encounter With The Underwater World
• Pitti Bird Sanctuary: Spot Some Birds
• Thinnakara Island: For Beautiful Lagoons
• Kalpeni Island: Take A Relaxing Stroll
• Bangaram Atoll: The Paradise-Like Island
• Agatti Island: For Smoked Tuna Fish And More
• Kiltan Island: The Colonial Spot
• Amini Beach: For Scuba Diving And More
• Andrott Island: For The History Enthusiasts

Id-Ul-Fitr : The most important among all the festivals is Eid-Ul-Fitr, which is celebrated after the holy month of Ramadan, when the new moon is visible. Ramadan is the month, when the Muslim community keeps fast and avoids having anything during the day, not even a drop of water. Eid-Ul-Fitr marks the end of fasting days. The people begin their day of Eid-Ul-Fitr by visiting the mosques to recite holy sermons and offer their prayers. They organize huge feasts on this day and invite their friends & relatives. The energy and enthusiasm in the celebration is not less than any other state of India, although the islands of Lakshadweep have lesser inhabitants than any other state.
Bakrid : Bakri-Eid marks the end of religious journey of Muslim Pilgrims to Mecca. The day signifies the sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim. It is celebrated to honour the sacrifice of his son’s life to show his devotion. It is believed that even the Almighty, asked Prophet Ibrahim to offer Ismail, his son to prove his devotion.
By obeying the instructions of the Almighty, he took his son to the altar where he sacrificed him after covering his own eyes. After opening his eyes, the Prophet found a goat (Bakri) sacrificed and his son Ismail alive. That’s why, on this day, a goat is sacrificed and the meat is distributed among the underprivileged and among the pilgrims in the mosque.
Milad-Ul-Nabi : Also known as Mawlid in Lakshadweep, Milad-Ul-Nabi commemorates the birthday of Prophet Mohammad. The festival falls on the 12th day of Rabi-Ul-Awwal month which is the third month according to Islamic Calender. Prophet Mohammad was the last Prophet of Islam and is believed to be born in the year 571 AD. It is also the day, when Prophet Mohammad left his mortal body. On this day, several religious meetings are held in many parts of Lakshadweep island. Sweets distribution and sprinkling of 'Attar' takes place in all the public gatherings which are attended by both Shia and Sunni Muslims.
Muharram : Muharram signifies the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussein, the grandson of Prophet Mohammad, who lived at Karbala in Iraq. According to tradition, people hurt themselves beating their chest and chanting 'Ya Hussein' sincerely.

 

Here are the best spots for shopping in this island city and grabbing the best merchandise off of its streets and bazaars. Take a look at all of them and make a note of the ones you’d like to visit according to what you wish to buy there.
1. China Bazar Kavaratti
2. Fiber Factory
3. Muhammad Musthafa Supper Market
4. Co-operative Society Supermarket
5. Thavakkal Clothing Store
6. Thele Fole Tea Shop
1. China Bazar Kavaratti
When you want to find a one-stop-shop, this Bazar at Kavaratti Island is a definite choice. So, your shopping experiences here are going to be unique and awesome. Kids often enjoy buying candies, and ladies can find their regular toiletries at this shopping area in Lakshadweep.
At some corners of this market, find electronics, hardware, and mobile recharge facility or coupon as well. Meanwhile, you might be lucky to find souvenirs like seashells or something similar to buy as a reminder of your trip.
Location: Kavaratti, Lakshadweep 682555
Opening hours: 10 am to 10 pm
What to buy: Gifts, souvenirs, and eatables
2. Fiber Factory
Get down to this factory for a unique shopping at Lakshadweep experience anear the seashore. The building of this factory is like any other house. So, you may miss it while searching for it. Under this store, you can see different fabrics being sold. These fabrics can be a nice product to take back home. These fabrics are woven in Lakshadweep. So, it’s like a unique souvenir to gift someone to use it for yourself.
Location: Kavaratti, Lakshadweep 682555
Opening hours: 10 am to 5 pm
What to buy: Fabrics
3. Muhammad Musthafa Supper Market
This market is one of the best places in Lakshadweep to shop. You will get daily items, grocery items, as well as some unique items that are found by the beachfront. But it is mostly used by locals for the grocery items. Moreover, you can easily get to meet new locals and tourists here. So, if you have any confusion while touring around, you can always find people to help you out with the items to be bought.
Location: Kavaratti, Lakshadweep 682555
Opening hours: 9:30 am to 10:30 pm
What to buy: Local food items
4. Co-operative Society Supermarket
This supermarket is at Kadmat Island, one of the very less crowded islands of the Lakshadweep’s archipelago. So, you will find very minimal but unique items here. The villagers often sold the locally harvested produce here. When you are looking for shopping malls in Lakshadweep, this is the best example near to that. It has a variety of choices from grocery items, souvenirs, and fish, which fishers catch from the sea every day.
Location: Kadmat Island, Lakshadweep 682556
Opening hours: 10 am to 6 pm
What to buy: Junk jewellery, souvenirs
5. Thavakkal Clothing Store
When you are looking for an extensive choice of beachwear and other local attires, this is one of those stores to be at. It is found easily at the upper corner of Agatti Island. So, you will have to travel a bit when you land at the airport. While spending a few hours here, you can do street shopping in Lakshadweep by wearing local attire.
Location: Hospital Road, Agatti, Lakshadweep 682553
Opening hours: 10:30 am to 10 pm
What to buy: Clothes
6. Thele Fole Tea Shop
This tea shop has a prime location on Minicoy Island. Basically, you will find this tea shop at the left-most peak of the island. It is like a hidden gem, which has been recently discovered by the travellers. Here, you get amazing tea, Laccadive sea backdrops, and local snacks to munch on. This could be your day to pay tribute to street shopping in Lakshadweep—aiming to know the island up close.
Location: Minicoy island, Lakshadweep 682559
Opening hours: 10 am to 6 pm
What to buy: Local tea and snacks

1. Octopus Fry:
2. Mus Kavaab
3. Fish Tikka
4. Fish Pakora:
5. Maasu Podichath