Ananda Utsav

Add to Favourite

Tell a Friend

Bengali Version

Home

Devi Durga

Puja Schedules

Pandal hopping

Pujascope

Durgastuti

e-greetings

Travel

Food

Read

Cartoons

Galleries

Fun

Best pujas

Shop online

Restaurant

Shopping

The city of Kolkata takes on a special glow whenever the Pujas arrive. But if you are tired of the hustle and bustle and have been dreaming of getting away from it all, the Pujas could be your excuse to do just that. Head out to the golden sands of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands or set sail for the coast of Lakshadweep. While Kolkata lights up for the festive season, bask in the sunset at your island paradise.

Find an island paradise

Palm trees sway in the breeze while the waves lap the golden sands. For the poet, painter or beach bum, it doesn’t get more relaxing than a holiday by the seaside. And to give the usual seaside vacation a twist, rather than head to a coastal city or village, hop on to a boat or take a flight to an island paradise near you.

It would be wonderful to make off to picturesque Seychelles or magical Mauritius, but if travelling to a foreign land seems too big an investment this puja season, plan a trip to an isle closer home. Take a look at some of the domestic islands that you can sail away to.

Andaman & Nicobar Islands

Located in the Bay of Bengal, the Andaman & Nicobar Islands are known for their scenic beauty. Partly hilly and covered with tropical jungles, the beaches of Andaman & Nicobar Islands are major tourist attractions.

From the point of view of the tourist, these islands are rather under-developed. Tourist resorts are few but the islands still score on many aspects. For starters, Port Blair is close to Kolkata, and Clinique Island is one of the best diving destinations this side of the world. With underwater coral gardens and a vibrant marine life visible even at depths of over 70 feet, Clinique Island is ideal for the aquaphile. Other

destinations include Ross Island which is a reminder of the days of the British Raj, Havelock Island for its virgin beaches and Jolly Buoy Island which is great for snorkelling.

Lakshadweep Islands

Located just off the Malabar coast in the Arabian Sea, the Lakshadweep islands are sheer tourist paradise. What makes them special? These are the only coral reef islands in India. It isn’t a convenient journey there, as Agatti is the only airport. But if you have time to spare and are keen for new experiences, a journey by ship would be a great idea.

The best known island in the Lakshadweep group is Bangaram as it has lots of options for water sports enthusiasts. Apart from this, you can also head to Kalpeni which is known for its scenic beauty. Do some reef-walking, ride a kayak or simply swim in the sea – this island is the ideal holiday spot.

Poovar Island

Poovar is a small island in the backwaters of Kerala but it trumps many bigger ones by virtue of its scenic beauty. It’s the ideal choice for someone who is trying to get away from the hassles of the daily grind. It’s a tiny island but has a holiday resort that offers floating cottages (and regular cottages for those prone to sea-sickness). Avoid Poovar if water sports are your thing. But if you want to laze your puja
vacations away, this is the place to visit.

Diu

Located just off the Kathiawad peninsula of Gujarat, Diu is the perfect blend of sun, sand and sea. But it isn’t just another beach resort; Diu has centuries of rich history peeping through the leaves of those palm trees. A Portuguese colony until 1961, the island boasts of a number of historical sites like St. Paul’s Church and the Diu Fort. There is also ample opportunity to indulge in water sports. Or if you’re too tired after para sailing or riding a water scooter, you could chill out at the sea shell museum.

Of course, these are just a few of the isles of bliss scattered in the waters around the Indian coastline. There are many more islands that one can head to depending on one’s

location and interests. But if you aren’t willing to take the plunge into some remote island just yet, our list of well-known isles should be good enough.

Advertise with us


Family Sites