If you were asked to choose just one place for relaxing by the sea during
your visit to Gujarat, you couldn’t do better than to opt for Diu! It
has its share of historical monuments and sights to see - as well as some
lovely beaches where you can soak up the sun. The bonus is that, unlike neighbouring
Gujarat where prohibition is strictly enforced, Diu is not ‘dry’!
History
The Parsee community that fled religious persecution in Iran in the 7th century
landed here before moving to the southern coast of Gujarat. Diu is a tiny
little island in the Arabian Sea, comfortably and easily accessible on the
sea route from West Asia to India and the Far East. The Sultans of Oman controlled
the entire region during the 14th and 16th centuries and Diu became a flourishing
trading post and naval base from where the shipping routes of the Arabian
Sea could easily be controlled. Little wonder then that the Portuguese doggedly
tried to gain control of this strategically placed enclave before finally
succeeding in 1539, after almost twenty years. For the Portuguese, Diu and
its counterpart across the Gulf of Cambay, Daman served as base for the lucrative
opium trade with the east. Diu remained under Portuguese control till its
independence in 1961, even though the mighty naval empire of Portugal had
declined long ago.
Places to See
Nagoa Beach
If you are not keen on site-seeing, take a twenty minutes refreshing drive
through open arid land to dense coconut groves to reach the Nagoa Beach. It
is located in the Nagoa hamlet of the village of Bucharwada. The beach is
exceptionally beautiful and quiet. In the exceptionally beautiful horse-shoe
(semi-circular) shaped beach, various water sports facilities are available.
It is safe for swimming. Plenty of branching Palm Hoka trees whisper and sway
in the intoxicating sea breeze all day long. The virginity of the beach and
serenity of the surroundings give you peace and pleasure beyond expression.
Jallandhar Shrine
It is located on a hillock close to the beach. This small shrine crowned with
a dome, contains a niche wherein a stone carved face of Jallandhar is seen.
Near by there is also a temple of Goddess Chandrika. The beach is at a distance
of 1 km from Diu Town.
St. Paul's Church
It is dedicated to our Lady of Immaculate Conception. The construction of
the church was started in 1601 and was completed in the year 1610. The main
facade of the church, perhaps the most elaborates of all Portuguese churches
in India, is adorned with curiously treated volutes and shell-like motifs,
and immediately attracts visitors. The facade has been illuminated by flood
lights adding to the evening city glow.
Diu Museum
The old St. Thomas Church has been converted into a museum which houses the
antique statues, various stone inscriptions of the earlier rulers, wooden
carvings, idols, shadow-clocks and other important artifacts have been collected
from various sites and displayed.
Gangeshwar Temple
This is situated 3 km away from Diu in Fudam village. A Shivlinga, known as
Gangeshwar, is in the midst of the rocks on the seashore, and is washed by
the tidal waves of the sea.
Fort
Among the places of tourist interest, the Fort of Diu occupies a prominent
position. It is an expansive and imposing structure, situated on the coast
of the island. The fort commands a magnificent view of sea. It was constructed
between 1535 and 1541 AD after a defence alliance, concluded by the Bahadurshah,
Sultan of Gujarat, and the Portuguese when the former was attacked by Humayun,
the Mughal Emperor.
The sea skirts the fort on the three sides. On the Fort stands a giant structure
now housing a Light House. A couple of mounds of iron shells can be seen even
today inside the fort. Several canons still stare menacingly from top and
some are peeping out of the holes on the walls of this gigantic structure.
The main front wall is having five huge windows with stone galleries. A strange
mist shrouds the galleries. A strange mist shrouds the entire fort. It is
more conspicuous during winter nights when fog spreads around, and the wick
of the light house gas-flame becomes meek and misty.
Kalanga Monument
Located on the right side of the Dehradun - Sahastradhara route, the Kalanga
monument recalls the story of the bravery of 180-year-old battle between the
British and the Gorkhas
Fortress of Panikota
It is a magnificent stone structure in the sea, built right at the mouth of
the creek. It can be reached only by a canoe or a motor launch. Approximately
one nautical mile from the Diu jetty, it also has a light house and a small
chapel dedicated to Our lady of sea. Located in the middle of the sea, the
Fortess makes for a beautiful view whether seen from the jetty, from the Fort,
from the village of Ghoghla or from Diu proper.
Ghoghla
The Ghoghla Beach is among the six beautiful beaches in Diu District. A tourist
complex built here provides all basic amenities to tourists.
Chakratirath Beach
The Beach is centrally located and contiguous to the town of Diu. This beach
serves the locals as well as domestic and international tourists, providing
them with an opportunity to have a worthwhile break. The hill and the surrounding
areas and landscape have been beautifully illuminated. The spot has been developed
by constructing an open-air auditorium on the seaside of the hillock.
Excursion
Junagadh
Located at the foothills of Mt. Girnar, is on record as far back as 250 B.C.,
the time of Emperor Asoka whose fourteen Rock Edicts can be seen cut into
a great rock outside the city. Today it is better known for the temples on
Mt. Girnar, an important place of pilgrimage for the Jains. The 16 marble
shrines can be reached after climbing 2000 steps. The oldest temple is that
of Neminath, who was the 22nd Jain Tirthanker. There is also a Muslim shrine
Somnath temple
The famous Somnath temple near Veraval is about 100 km from Diu by road. It
is a major Hindu pilgrimage centre, is said to have been built out of gold
by Soma, the Moon God (and subsequently in silver, wood and stone). In keeping
with the legend the stone facade appears golden at sunset. Mahmud of Ghazni
plundered it and removed the gates in 1024. Destroyed by successive Muslim
invaders, it was rebuilt each time on the same spot. The final reconstruction
did not take place until 1950 and is still going on. Unfortunately, it lacks
character but it has been built to traditional patterns with a strong 50 m
high tower that rises in clusters. Dedicated to Siva, it has one on the 12
sacred jyotirlingas
Veraval
Veraval town, 6 km from Somnath, is in Junagadh District of Gujarat. It was
once a fortified port town of the royal family of Junagadh. The old walls
of the port are now ruined, but the impressive Junagadh gate and the Patan
gate are still seen.
The Veraval beach with benches and jogging path is a popular place for strolls
and swimming. The main attraction of the place is the Veraval fishing port,
where thousands of trawlers, country crafts and dhows unload their catch.
This is one of the largest fishing ports and is a home to large number of
industries. The Nawabi Palace with gothic features and facing the sea, is
another site of attraction.
Palitana Jain Temples
The Shatrunjaya Hill in Palitana, a small town in the Indian state of Gujarat,
is adorned with the highest concentration of beautifully carved Jain temples
to be found anywhere in the world. Palitana is an important pilgrimage for
the followers of Jainism but equally important are, the architecture of the
temples and the elaborate carvings on them.
Gir Wildlife Sanctuary
In the southwest of the peninsular state of Gujarat, lies the 116 square-mile
Gir sanctuary created to protect the last wild population of Lion outside
the African regions. Since 1913 when the Lion population over here fell drastically
to just 20 animals, the numbers have increased to around 300. The Asiatic
lion is slightly smaller than its African cousin is and its mane is also smaller.
Dining Out
Indian and Chinese food or great seafood preparations with a touch of Portugal
- that just about covers the variety of food available locally. But if it’s
a liquid diet you’re on, this is the place to be - Diu has bars galore,
every hotel or guesthouse worth its salt has a bar or permit room.
Shopping
In the Diu town good shopping facilities are there. Diu is specially noted
for the absence of commercial exploitation of visitors. The small handicraft
shops are having many locally made handicraft items.
Visiting
All year round pleasant climate makes Diu a place one can visit anytime, but
the months between October and May are the most ideal. But if you want to
catch some local flavour and culture, then come during the festive season
during the Navaratras in October/November when dancers perform both Gujarati
dances like the Garba and Portuguese folk dances like Mando, Vira and Verdigao.
Special Events
The local communities in Diu celebrate the religious festivals of Nariyal
Poornima, Dassehra and Christmas with great fanfare and gusto. All festivities
are marked by vigorous displays of music and dance and are always accompanied
by feasting and merrymaking.
Nariyal Poornima is celebrated to mark the beginning of the fishing seasonthe
fishing communities flock to the sea-shore to offer coconut to the gods of
wind and water in an effort to win their favour and ensure the safe return
of the fishing fleet as well as a rich catch. Nariyal Poornima is a day of
joy, feasting and revelry that attracts hordes of tourists.
Christmas finds Diu literally exploding with gaiety accompanied by music and
dance. The administration of Daman promotes the Christmas season as a major
tourist attraction and Indian and foreign travellers come to participate in
a Christmas that combines Indian and Portuguese flavours.
How to get there
By Air : Domestic airline connections are available to Diu
from Mumbai. The airport is 5km away from the city; auto rickshaws are easily
available outside the main concourse to get to Diu proper. But bear in mind
that flights are often delayed or even cancelled.
By Train : The Diu Railway Station is 8km away from the main
town. The station is not on any of the main lines and so is fairly redundant
from the traveller’s point of view. The sole connections are to the
little port town of Veraval and to Junagadh via the sanctuary town of Sasan
Gir in Gujarat.
By Road : Direct bus connections to Diu are available from
Bhavnagar, Palitana, Veraval and Talaja (access from Una via Ghogla) in Gujarat.
These towns are connected to Ahmedabad by rail and road and Bhavnagar is also
connected by air to Mumbai.
