DIU

 Diu is an island lying off the south coast of Gujarat's Kathiawar peninsula, separated from the mainland by a tidal creek. It has an area of 40 sq.km, and a population of 44,110 (2001 census). The town of Diu lies at the eastern end of the island, and is famous for its fortress and old Portuguese Cathedral. It is also a fishing town. The Indian Air Force has an air base here. The village of Ghoghla, which lies on the mainland opposite the eastern end of the island, is also part of the union territory. The word 'Diu' is derived from the Sanskrit word 'Dweeb'. With a pleasant climate throughout the year, it affords unprecedented peace and tranquillity to tourists. The beautiful tiny island, with a coastal length of 21 kms., is at a distance of about 930 kms. from Bombay.

How to reach

• By Air

Diu is connected by Vayudoot services with Bombay and Ahmadabad.

• By Train

Nearest rail head is Delwada (9 km) connected via Veraval by metre gauge line. However Veraval (85 km) is the convenient rail head connected to Bombay via Ahmadabad.

• By Road

Diu is well connected by road via Una (30 km), to Ahmedabad (495 km), Bhavnagar (225 km), Bombay (930 km), Daman (763 km), Sasangir (128 km), Rajkot (261 km), Somnath (87 km), Veraval (77 km).

There are regular state transport bus services from Una, Delwada to Diu. Diu is also connected by direct bus services with Veraval, Kodinar and Bombay. Private buses and Auto rickshaws ply within the town.

Places of Interest at Diu

The fort of Diu which occupies a very prominent position. It is an expansive and imposing structure situated on the extreme coast of the island. The fort commands a magnificent view of the sea and its surrounding areas. Towards the west of the fort lies the town of Diu. A number of old cannons and collection of iron shells can be seen here. Near the Diu Fort, is Panikotha fortress in the sea which can be reached by boat. At night it is lit up, giving an excellent view.

The Gangeshwar Temple is unique as it has Shivlingas which are washed by the sea. Located at the Jallandhar beach, there are many other attractions nearby. The two main churches are St. Paul's and St. Francis of Assisi.

The horseshoe shaped Nagoa Beach is one of the best in India. A tented camp offering a different style of accommodation has come up here. Water sports facilities are available and one can also enjoy a good swim.

The Somnath Temple is also only a short distance from here. It is a magnificent place of worship. The massive historic Diu (Praca de Diu) fort cum-castle built in 1535 impresses most of the visitors. It was the key position of the whole strategic complex which comprises the other forts-one at Gogola which was destroyed in 1896; the Passo Seco Fort at about 8 Km from the city. This fort predates the Portuguese conquest. At Brancavara there were two other forts. One known as Barra now converted into a lighthouse, the second as Nagoa Fort built in 1773. Besides these forts, there is also a historical cathedral dedicated to St. Paul, a palace, Tad Fort, Old Fort and Nagoa Beach. 

 fortress Panikot, Jallandharov the ark,  Diu Museum, Jama Masjid.Shaking Tower, Delwada 9 km, Gupta Prayag 9 km; Tulsihyam 45 km,, Sasan Gir Forest 28 km, 85 km Girnar Hill; VERANDER Hill 195 km, Dwarka 240 km.Diu is a very popular and important tourist resort.

DAMAN

Daman, near Surat in the south of Gujarat is a small port in the Gulf of Khambhat (Cambay).Daman is situated 160 km north of Mumbai. It occupies an area of ​​approximately 72 km ², and tourists can find here historical churches, splendid forts, numerous palm trees, sleeping villages in the coves and fine sandy beaches.

Daman area is divided in two parts by the Damanganga River and is well-known for its two historical forts, the Nani Daman and the Moti Daman. The Nani Daman fort is near to a fishing village and boasts the Church of Our Lady of Rosary. Moti Daman offers a lighthouse, wide streets and the Se Cathedra church that was built in seventeenth century. Other places of interest include the Jain Temple close to the river; the Somnath Mahadev Temple in Dabhel village as well as Jampore and Devka Beaches.

·         Daman sights

Daman has a picturesque port and main sites are Moti Daman Fort, St. Jerome, Nani Daman, Church of Bom Jesus, and Our Lady of Donorousa. Beaches of Daman are pristine and beautiful.

Transport Links

The nearest station is in Vapi (12 km) along the route of Vadodara-Mumbai-New Delhi.

    Air

Gujarat Airways morning flight from Mumbai to Diu and back

  Road

NH Route 8 from Mumbai to Ahmadabad They looked across the water in Daman. Vapi is located 193 km from Mumbai and 367 km from Ahmadabad.

ABOUT DAMAN AND DIU

 

Daman and Diu is the second smallest union territory of India. Lakshadweep being the smallest in terms of area as well as population. Daman and Diu are actually two parts, both on the sea side and both enclosed by Gujarat. For over 450 years, the coastal enclaves of Daman and DIU on the Arabian Sea coast were part of Portuguese India, along with Goa and Dadra and Nagar Haveli. Goa, Daman, and Diu was incorporated into the Republic of India on 19 December 1961, by military conquest; Portugal did not recognize the Indian annexation of these territories until 1974. Goa, Daman, and Diu were administered as part of a single union territory until 1987, when Goa was granted statehood, leaving Daman and DIU as a separate union territory; each enclave constitutes one of the union territory's two districts.

Diu District, an area of 40 km². The main settlement is the town of Diu.

Daman District, an area of 28 sq mi or 72 km². The main settlement is the city of Daman.

Marathi and Gujarati are the two main languages; the use of Portuguese is declining because it is no longer official nor taught in schools (even though 10% of the population of Daman speaks Portuguese).

They are actually two separate areas, which are divided by the Arabian Sea with geographic location in the state of Gujarat. Daman is on the southern section of the state near to Vapi town, while Diu is close to Junagarh within the Saurashtra Peninsula.

Population Total - 1,58,059

Male   -   92,478

Female -  65,581

Districts  - 2

Literacy-   81.09 %

PUDUCHEERY HOTEL

   Lotus Comfort Hotel

Lotus Comfort Hotel is offering a warm, inviting atmosphere, you will feel seen welcome the moment you walk into Lotus Comfort Hotel, located in the heart of Pondicherry. The Hotel is perfect for exploring the uniquely French Pondicherry. Whether for business or pleasure, our friendly and proficient staff takes pride in anticipating and satisfying your needs. It’s a relaxing gateway to experience this hip and vibrant coastal city.

We offer not only a warm welcome and a pleasant ambiance but also convenient facilities. The hotel room has everything that a comfort modern design has to offer: urban living comfort, featuring minimalist style, spacious and sophisticated and a magnificent to-the point functionality with sober and strong lines.

Facilities:

LCD TV, WI Fi Access Complimentary, Multi-Cuisine Restaurant, Smart Door Lock System

Telephone Facilities, Long Term Stay Option, Travel Assistance, Same Day Laundry.

                                              HOTEL ANNAMALAI INTERNATIONAL

One of the most important landmarks of Pondicherry for its hospitality. It is a luxurious 3 star hotel. The atrium Lobby which stands sky-scraping till 5^th floor gives a peaceful feeling. The prolific interiors that surround the hotel offers a very nice blend of traditionalistic and modernity to the guests. You will find all the facilities for business and leisure at one place -Hotel Annamalai International.

Within a short span of period, Hotel Annamalai International has become the pioneer Hotel in Pondicherry. This vision of integrity and cheer is managed by professionals and offers a heaven of sophistication and comfort for executives who are always on the move. Annamalai is a hub for all conferences, our awesome services and state of the art facilities offers to the guest a perfect abode. We have set our own standards in exceeding guest’s expectations.

Hotel located in the heart of Pondicherry, the land of Sri Aurobindo. Hotel Annamalai International offers well-furnished accommodation, excellent in quality and provides the discerning guest with the ultimate in both comfort and convenience. All rooms are equipped with the most modern amenities

Le Duplex, Pondicherry

Hotel Overview:

Originally built to serve as the residence to French Mayor of Pondicherry, the structure is elegantly rich and boasts of being an opulent heritage property. Imbibing Tamil elements into French architecture, the hotel is worth admiring. Affording 14 luxurious rooms, the hotel offers all possible amenities and also offers a dedicated service to give guests the needed attention. Making sure that guests enjoy their stay here, care has been taken to ensure that their food requirements are met with the best possible option. 

The Gourmet’ Restaurant serves a good selection from Indian, Continental and French cuisines. The Governor's Lounge Bar is a nice place to enjoy beverages.

Rooms in Le Dupleix:

Total Rooms: 14

Superior Rooms: 2

Deluxe Rooms: 4

Luxury Penthouse: 5

Luxury Suites: 3

Le Duplex Room Facilities:

• Air conditioned

• Cable/satellite TV

• Coffee/tea maker

• Complimentary toiletries

• Direct-dial phone

 Internet access-dial-up

• Mini bar

• Refrigerator-Room

• H/C running water

• Central Air Conditioning

• Temperature Control 

• Global Direct Dial

• Attached Bathroom

• Writing Desk

Le Dupleix Hotel Facilities:

• 24-hour front desk 

• Air-conditioned public areas

• Airport transportation available on a chargeable basis

• Bar/lounge Breakfast services

• Front desk

• Internet access

• Laundry facilities

• Restaurant

• 24 Hours Room service

Dining at Le Duplex:

Courtyard Restaurant: Interestingly placed in the courtyard, the restaurant is an exciting place to dine. Guests can choose from an exciting menu which comprises of a careful selection of Indian, Continental and French dishes. With a dedicated service, guests can easily expect a satisfying treatment here.

The Governor’s Lounge Bar: The first Bar in town, the Governor’s Lounge is an exciting place to spending some time catching up with people as you enjoy some of the best wines and cocktails served. With an energetic ambience and charged-up style, the place is ever refreshing. Martini and Mojito are a must try here.

• The Promenade, Pondicherry

Hotel Overview: 

Overlooking the mesmerizing Bay of Bengal, The Promenade is a luxurious boutique hotel offering an opulent accommodation and a wonderful service. Located in the heart of Pondicherry, the hotel is brilliantly done in French style and has a distinctly modern interior. A five star property, the hotel provides everything luxurious and in style. The Promenade also has some of the best known food and beverage places in Pondicherry. Lighthouse is a charming rooftop restaurant that gives the most amazing views of the majestic Bay of Bengal and offers a tempting barbeque and grill menu. Blueline is a fine round the clock restaurant here that has to offer its guests a good range of authentic Oriental and Mediterranean dishes. Elaborate buffets are regularly laid here. An exotic lounge is also there at The Promenade, the Risqué. It has a fine selection of wines, beers and other liquors. The bartender here can also get you some exotic cocktails and mock tails. Some nice flavors of coffee are also served here.

Rooms in the Promenade:

Total Rooms: 38

Deluxe Rooms: 26

Deluxe Sea-Facing Suites: 11

Presidential Suites: 01

The Promenade Room Facilities:

• Executive writing desk

• Wi-Fi internet

• Minibar

• Tea/Coffee maker

• DVD movie and player rental

The Promenade Hotel Facilities:

• Wi-Fi access

• 24 hours in room dining

• Travel assistance

• Swimming pool overlooking the ocean

• Board games on request

• In-room reflexology and spa massages

• 24 hours laundry service

• Doctor on call

Dining at the Promenade:

Lighthouse: The barbeque and grill rooftop restaurant offers stunning views of the ocean and is towered over by the town's ancient (and now unused) lighthouse. It specializes in grills and seafood and is open for dinner only. It offers a spectacular view of the promenade, the sea front and the Bay of Bengal.

Blue line: The 24 hour restaurant, overlooking the sea, serves authentic Oriental, Mediterranean cuisines. The lavish buffets at breakfast, lunch and dinner, provide an extensive a la carte menu incorporating a wide range of world cuisine. 

Risque: The lounge bar with easy leather seating and contemporary music, overlooks the terrace, the pool and the sea. It offers an amazing range of exotic cocktails, international wines, draught beer, mock tails and also an exclusive blend of coffee.

• Calve, a Welcome Heritage Hotel 

Originally belonging to a traditional Chettiar Family, this bungalow blends the French architectural style and Tamil heritage living. Built 150 years ago, when Pondicherry was under the French rule, this bungalow has been meticulously recreated to its glorious past, using ancient components like Chettinad plaster and Atangudi tiles.

Ten rooms and suites with modern conveniences

Blend with the traditional ambience.

Mini Bar

Safety Locker

LCD

Internet

Direct Dial

Wi-fi-lobby

• Anandha inn

Seventy Centrally air-conditioned rooms &

Suites, well appointed with all modern facilities.

Easy access by elevators and stairs to all the

Rooms, restaurants, meeting halls etc.,

Free access to health spa and swimming pool.

FACILITIES:

• Round the clock room service.
• Attached bath with shower24 hours hot and cold water
• Ample guest supplies
• TV with free satellite channels
• World space radio
• Direct dial telephone
• Free WI-FI internet connectivity
• Electronic in-room safe
• Doctor on call
• Valet room service
• Travel desk with money changer
• Express check-in and check-out
• Florist, boutique & bookseller

As part of the guest amenities we have provided fruit basket, soft drinks in the mini bar, bath robes and ample guest supplies in the superior rooms. Superior rooms are provided with computers for surfing and office work.

RAVAN TEMPLE

 There are several temples where Ravana is worshiped. Ravana is considered most revered devotee of Lord Shiva. The images of Ravana are seen associated with lord Shiva at some places.

Don’t be surprised if I tell you that this unique temple in Kanpur, known as Kailash Temple, is built in the honor of the King of Demons – Ravana.Interestingly, when across the country, effigies of Ravana are being set on fire across hundreds of Dussehra grounds, hordes of devotees are seen swarming the premises of this temple within minutes of its opening. The entire area reverberates with chants of “Ravana Baba Namah” from morning till evening on Dussehra. A special puja is offered to Ravana on the occasion and the temple is shut after 12 hours until the Dussehra the following year.

Strangely enough, the five feet tall idol of Ravana in this 115-year-old temple is placed inside a box and does not look anywhere close to an actual temple. Irrespective of this, he is a clear winner in the number game – the popularity of this temple and the hordes of devotees lining right outside continue to grow with each passing year. Surprisingly, queues outside the temple stretch across three to four kilometers!

Shivlinga in kakinada 

There is a huge Shivlinga in Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh, supposedly installed by Ravana himself, with a statue of Ravana nearby. Both Shivlinga and Ravana are worshiped by the fishermen community there.

Thousands of Kanyakubja Brahmins of the village Ravangram of Netaran, in the Vidisha District of Madhya Pradesh, perform daily puja (worship) in the Ravana temple and offer naivedyam / bhog (a ritual of sacrifice to the Gods). 

A Jain temple in Alwar, Rajasthan is called the Ravana Parsvanath Temple. The legend says that Ravana used to worship Parsvanath daily. While Ravana was on tour to Alwar he realized that he forgot to bring the image of Parsvanath. Mandodari, Ravana's wife, is said to have made an image of Parsvanath immediately and hence the Ravana Parsvanath temple at Alwar.

Ravana is said to have married Princess Mandodari at a place about 32 kilometers away from Jodhpur, which is now called Mandor. There is a mandap (altar or pavilion) where Ravana is said to have married Mandodari, and which the local people call Ravana Ki Chanwari.

The Dave Brahmins of Mudgal Gotra, Jodhpur/Mandor who were originally from Gujarat, claim to be the descendants of Ravana. They say that since time immemorial they are performing the shraddh (death anniversary) of Ravana on Dussehra Day every year. They offer pind daan and take a bath after that ritual. They recently erected a Ravana temple in Jodhpur, where daily puja is performed.

There is a theory proposed by Sinhalese nationalists that points to the southern part of Sri Lanka as the capital of Ravana, hence the name Ruhuna came to existence. "Ruhuna" is claimed to be derived from the word's Ravana Pura or Rohana Pura, despite the linguistic improbability of 'va' becoming 'ha' in Prakrit. This is probably an attempt to tie Ravana with the history of that other national hero: Duttagamini, who was a king from that region.

INDIAN GRAND PRIX RETURN

Think speed, technology, adrenaline and thrill. Think Formula One! With a fan following of over 600 million and legends such as Schumacher, Vettel, Hamilton and Karthikeyan, the Indian Grand Prix has attracted the older generation as well as young .

October 30, 2011 marked a historic day in India’s sporting history, a country where cricket primarily dominates. As an avid follower, having been glued to the television during every race, the thought of being able to see the racing cars, drivers and hear the roaring sound of the engines on the Indian soil was enough to get my adrenaline pumping.

Playing host to this grand event was the 5.3 kilometre long Buddh International Circuit in Greater Noida, designed by the renowned German architect and track designer, Herman Tilke. The success of the Indian Grand Prix proved to the critics that India is adept in managing a world-class event of such complexity and scale, and as technologically cutting-edge as Formula 1; and do it well too. There were some hitches of course, like the stray dog that wandered on the racetrack and the rock concert that never happened, but on the whole, the event won a lot of acclaim and praise from the drivers and the passionate fans. It marked a new chapter for India’s arrival in the world’s sporting arena and raised awareness of a sport that is all about high-end cars, precision, scale, glitz, glamour and entertainment. 

Having set the stage last year, the Indian Grand Prix is all set to make its comeback this October. This is the chance to see the ‘big boys’ of the automobile industry, to experience the frills and fancies first-hand and to watch high-quality motor racing. More importantly, it is the ultimate test of human physical endurance. An opportunity to have a first-hand view of one of the world’s greatest sporting events in your backyard is indeed a dream come true, and add to it the exceptional performance of Force India team this season, is the icing on the cake. 

HOW TO REACH ANDAMAN AND NICOBAR

The union territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands is situated in the ocean of Bay of Bengal towards the south-east of the mainland of India. This secluded union territory of India is linked to the rest of India by both sea and air thus facilitating travel to Andaman and Nicobar Islands .

•  By Ship

 The Andaman and Nicobar Islands stand in the midst of the Bay of Bengal. Passenger ships connect Kolkata, Chennai and Vishakhapatnam, which are major cities of mainland India with Port Blair. These ships are available on a regular basis and help one to make a tour to Andaman and Nicobar Islands . 

On an average, in a month, 3 or 4 ships are available from Chennai and Kolkata to travel to Port Blair. From Vishakhapatnam, one ship is available per month to travel to Port Blair. It takes around three days to reach Port Blair by sea. A ship generally halts for around 2 days at the seaport before leaving it to start a reverse journey, that is, from Port Blair to Kolkata, Chennai and Vishakhapatnam.

•  By Air

 To travel to the Indian union territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, it is most convenient to avail the airport located at the capital city called Port Blair. From this place, one can easily travel to the important cities of mainland India like Chennai and Kolkata. Flights are operated regularly between Chennai, Kolkata and Port Blair. A few major airlines that operate such flights are Jet Airways, Indian Airlines and Air Deccan.

HERITAGE OF PUDUCHEERY

There are frequent buses to puducherry from places like Chidambaram, Thanjavur Trichy and Coimbatore. Especially private luxury buses are connecting puducherry with other major cities in Tamil Nadu and Bangalore

Puducherry’s ambience is not influenced or dominated by one fabulous heritage monument or by amazing natural surroundings, except perhaps the sea. Puducherry itself is "heritage", as a town and as a conglomerate of different cultural influences. These influences find expression in its architecture and streetscapes, in its people and visitors, and in a subtle feeling which is peculiarly "Pondy".

The town is planned on a grid from its inception. Cities like Ernakulam in Kerala, also built in a grid pattern, were planned and built much later, while its twin-town Cochin had developed at the same time as puducherry in a more clustered manner.    The town was divided in a French section and Tamil section, with its respective population and architectural differences and each its own particular streets capes.

In French Town the roads are flanked by colonial style buildings with long compound walls and stately gates, behind which life unfolds. The facades have often vertical columns and tall windows and are coloured cream, yellow and pink.

 In Tamil Town the streets are lined by verandahs and extended porches where its residents would gather and passing guests would spend the night. The colors here are green, blue and brown, while the facades convey horizontal and low features.

Sights are manifold with pastel colored churches and bright temple towers; Joan of Arc's heavenward gaze vies with the tall carved pillars from Gin gee at the seafront; cricket competes with pétanque. And the Park becomes a green peaceful oasis where these complementary contrasts meet.

Puducherry has an interesting spiritual heritage too and is at a crossroads of eastern and western culture, and of ancient and modern spiritual disciplines. These movements converge in a practical manner in the twin communities of the Sri Aurobindo Ashram and Auroville.

 Originally the native Tamil town developed around the nucleus of a group of temples in the northern section and the streets were laid in an east-west direction. The row houses along these streets stood back-to-back. These streetscapes with continuous wall-to-wall construction vary much in character with that of the French. Their exterior facades often feature a street veranda with platform and lean-to-roof over wooden posts - the thalvaram, a social extension of the house - and a semi-public portico - the thinnai - supported by round wooden pillars with masonry benches for visitors.

 On the whole, a conspicuous synthesis of two varying styles is evident, especially in the case of two storied Tamil buildings where the ground floor is usually of the Tamil type with thinnai, thalvaram and carved doors, while the first floor displays French influence showing pilasters, columns with capitals, arched windows, plaster decorations and end-ornament elements. In French buildings the local influence is obvious in the use of madras terrace flat roofs, wooden balconies and sloping tiled roofs.

 It is a result of this cross-influence of building patterns that gives the old town its distinct architectural vocabulary, which can be termed "puducherry-nes

ABOUT PUDUCHEERY

Away from the hustle and bustle of big city, puducherry is a quiet little town on the southern coast. The unmistakable French connection, the tree lined boulevards, the quaint colonial heritage buildings, the spiritual scene, the endless stretches of unspoilt virgin beaches, backwater, a surprising choice of restaurants serving a mélange of cuisines, provide a heady mix that draw travellers from near and far. It is the perfect place dto come to if you wants TKO take the pace of life down a few notches.

 The Union Territory of puducherry comprises of four coastal regions viz- puducherry, Karaikal, Mahe and Yanam. Puducherry and Karaikal are situated on the East Coasts in Tamil Nadu, Yanam in Andra Pradesh and Mahe on the West Coast in Kerala.

Puducherry is the Capital of this Union Territory. It is on the east coast about 162 kms south of Chennai (Madras) located on the Coromandel Coast of the Bay of Bengal. There are no hills or forests in this region. The main soil types in this region are red ferrallitic, black clay and coastal alluvial.

 Main languages spoken in the region are Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam. English and French are other languages, which are spoken by a considerable number of people?

1.      There are frequent buses to puducherry from places like Chidambaram, Thanjavur Trichy and Coimbatore. Especially private luxury buses are connecting puducherry with other major cities in Tamil Nadu and Bangalore.

 2. Though puducherry is on the rail map journey by train to and from puducherry is not very popular. Villupuram is the nearest junction; it is fairly well connected to places like Chennai, Madurai and Trichy.

 3. Puducherry is well connected to all districts and major towns of various states like Tamilnadu, Karnataka, Kerala and Andra Pradesh. Puducherry is best accessible by road, either by bus or by taxi. There are frequent buses, almost every 15 minutes in the day from Chennai’s new bus stand in Koyembedu.

4. The express buses takes 3 ½ hours to reach puducherry. Preferably take the buses coming by the East Coast Road via Mahabalipuram, instead of the National Highway, as the ECR is far more scenic with shimmering sea to give you company most of the way.