Andaman and Nicobar Islands have India's best nesting beaches for three species of marine turtles – Hawksbill, Green turtle and world's largest sea turtle, the Leatherback
To the east of the Indian mainland, in the blues of the Bay of Bengal, floats the splendid archipelago of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The erstwhile 'Kalapani', translated as 'black waters' from back in the day when the islands were the graveyards of martyrs, has now transformed into one of India's best tourist spots. Forever scarred by the atrocities of the British regime, the islands retain an exciting aura that satiates the young adventure junkie in us all. Once a hill range extending form Myanmar to Indonesia, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands today are a group of 572 near deserted islets (small islands). The majestic forests, and the sun beaming on exotic flora and fauna take your breath away. More than 86% of the islands' area is forest cover which is home to animals like the spotted deer, wild boar, gecko crab-eating macaque and pythons. The glistening white beaches are nesting homes to turtles. The jewel in the crown, however, is the marine life. The elegance of the crystal clear, blue waters, incredible corals, and the myriad creatures that inhabit the ocean leave you spellbound. Exploring the marine life first-hand through activities like scuba diving and fishing guarantee an enriching experience of coming an inch closer to nature. The capital city of Port Blair houses majority of the mainland settlers on the island today. Prior to the colonial rule, however, the islands were home to indigenous tribes, some of who still populate pockets of the archipelago. Tourist infrastructure development has been on the rise over the year, citing rising tourism, but the islands still remain virgin with untouched natural beauty and unexplored marine life. If you wish to visit these islands, now would be a good time.
| Area | 8,073 sq km |
|---|---|
| Capital | Port Blair |
| Population | 379,944 As of 2011 Census of India |
| Official Languages | Bengali |
| Boundary | Surrounded by Sea. |
This Festival Is Associated With The Worship Of Goddess Maa Kali As The Goddess Of Ruining The Evil. In The Hindu Calendar, This Comes In The Month Of Aswin, Which Falls In The Months Of October-november. The Bengalis Take Keen Interest And Celebrate In Enthusiastically. Kali Temple At Prem Nagar Is Decorated Beautifully With Colored Lamps. Prescribed Pooja And Artis Are Performed. A Lot Of Hindus Particularly Bengalis. Visit The Temple And Other Places Where The Images Of Goddess Maa Kali Are Installed And Worshiped. Next Day, The Image Is Taken In The Form Of Procession With Songs And Dances, To Haddo Jetty, Aberdeen Jetty And/or Junglighat Jetty For Immersion. A Large Crowd Assembles To Witness The Procession At Goal Ghar, Opposite To State Library, Junglighat Junction, Dairy Farm Junction, Aberdeen Bazar, Delanipur, Haddo Etc.
This Is Also An Important Festival Of Hindus Celebrated With Great Enthusiasm In The Hindu Calendar Month Of Ashweis. This Pooja Is Celebrated By All Hindus In The Name Of Navaratri Pooja For Nine Days. Every Year Durga Pooja Is Celebrated In These Islands During The Month Of September-october. Bengali Associations In Each Village And Some Organizations Make The Images Of Goddess Durga In A Highly Decorative Manner Out Of Clay Along With Images Of Other Gods Like Ganesh, Sri Karthik(sri Murugan)etc And They Perform Pooja With The Help Of Priests.
The Andamanese Have An Extraordinary And Rich Culture And Traditions. It Brings A Lot Of Visitors Who Are Mainly Attracted By The Native Population Upholding The Richness, Ethnicity And Customs Of The Islands. The Native Population Of Andaman And Nicobar Islands Are Constituted By Two Distinct Groups Namely The Negrito In The Andaman And Autochthones Who Are The Mongoloid Nicobarese And Shompen.they Preserve A Diverse Culture With A Unique Style And Dignity Which Is Appreciated And Attracted By The Tourists. The Major Portion Of The Local People Belong To The Descendants Who Came Here During Early Periods From The Indian Mainland Region. These Migrants From Different Parts Of The Country Add To The Culture And Tradition Of The Region And The Most Appreciated Factor About Them Is That Both The Class Of People In Both The Regions Lives In Peace And Harmony Preserving Their Culture And Traditions. The Tribal Culture Of The Islanders Of Andaman Is Comprised By The Negroids Of The Paleolithic Age Who Migrated From Africa A Few Thousands Of Years Ago And Further They Include Other Ethnic Groups Like Andamanese, Onge, Jarawa And Sentinalese Of Mongoloid Origin Wherein, The Inhabitants Of Nicobar Comprise Of The ‘nicobarese’ And The ‘shompen’ Inhabitants. These Tribes Have Maintained Their Uniqueness Amid Relative Isolation And Therefore Have Succeeded In Maintaining The Culture Of The Islands.
Sea Food Forms The Dominant Part Of The Cuisine Of The Andamanese. They Are Mostly Non Vegetarians Depending On Sea Food. They Also Eat Both Red And White Meat. Being Hunters By Origin, The People Of The Island Hunt Birds And Wild Animals And Feast On Them. Initially The Use Of Fire Was Not Known To Them. Other Tropical Food Common To This Area Are Mango, Banana, Orange, Pineapple, Guava Which Are Some Common Fruits Found In The Markets. But However Now Andaman Becoming A Major Tourist Destiny, The People Are Getting More Used To The Other Foods Like Delicious Indian, Chinese And Continental Food Items.
Woodwork And Carpentry Are The Local Crafts Of Andaman. There Are Several Units Engaged In Making The Furniture And Other Wooden Articles Made From Ornamental Woods Like Marble Wood, Paduak And Chui. The Tabletops Made From Paduak Burr Are Singular Works Of Handicrafts In These Islands. The Driftwood That Is Shaped By The Currents And Flow Of The Sea Is Commonly Available In Andaman. It Is Converted Into Art Objects Through Imagination, Dedication And Precision.
Neill Island is a part of the South Andaman Administrative District and belongs to Ritchie’s Archipelago in the Bay of Bengal. A part of the massive ocean separates it from Ross Island and Havelock Island, Tourists visiting Havelock often make a day-long trip to Neill Island.
Perhaps the most endearing feature of this island is its three sandy beaches, namely Bharatpur Beach, Sitapur Beach and Lakshmanpur Beach. The forest cover has reduced considerably due to the cultivation of rice but a section in the north-west of the island is being preserved actively.
The regions where the forest cover is lost has a couple of degrees or so higher temperature than the region with enough flora. Nonetheless, Neill Island is the major supplier of vegetables to most regions of the Andaman Islands.
Due to its limited area, Neill Island can be covered with a simple walk. All three beaches are exquisite and extraordinarily clean and are well-connected to the mainland as well.
