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Place
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Excursion
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A bird's eye view shows this
cluster of 350 small and large island as small, green speaks
staggered on the vast blue waters. Situated midway between India and
Burma, in the Bay of Bangal, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands were at
one time inhabited by various tribes which strongly resisted any
efforts at civilization. some of these tribes are perhaps among the
oldest tribal communities in the world, and tourists are prohibited
from establishing contact with them. Owing to prolonged isolation
they are somewhat hostile and are also under the danger of catching
infection from outsiders.
Indian legend traces the name Andaman to a derivation of Handuman or
Hanuman the Monkey God of the epic Ramayana, who is said to have
used these islands as stepping stones on his way to Sri Lanka, to
save Goddess Sita, consort of Lord Rama.
Modern history perhaps dates to 1789 when Lord Cornwallis, the
British Governer -General commissioned a survey of the islands.
Later, after the First War of Independence in 1857 the British
established a penal colony here and Andamans and Port Blair, the
capital, came to be a dreaded word. For, known as 'Kala Pani' of
'Black Water', the city was the site of the Cellular Jail - a panel
colony where political prisoners were banished, perhaps never to be
seen again.
During world War II, the Japanese occupied the Islands and held them
from 1944-1945. The Andamans today present a totally different
picture. Some tribes have opened up, and the British rule is no
more. The islands are now fast becoming an attractive holiday
destination-for the anthropologist and the beach lover.
The Islands are a living museum of planet earth. Dense rain forests,
and canopies of luxuriant green branches host a variety of birds,
insects, and all kind of life. There are beautiful tropical flowers
and orchids. The jungles shelter about 242 species of birds, 46
species of mammals and 78 species of reptiles comprising the wild
cat, iguana, green lizsards, deer, wild pig, goats and a wide
variety of snakes.
The water are clear and beautiful, and the beaches at Corbyn's Cove,
Wandoor, Jolly Boy and Cinque offer an excellent sea for swimming.
Numerous other beaches are open to holidayers out to enjoy water
sports. Tourists can surf, ski, scuba dive, snorkel, sail, fish or
just enjoy the sea, the sun and the sand. For the more adventurous,
deep-sea diving unfolds precious treasures of corals, vegetation,
sponges and fish life.
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Places of Interest
Bangaram Island
Situated in the Bay of Bengal , the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are
still largely undiscovered by mass tourism . Part of India these
Islands extend into Indonesian group of Islands.
There are a number of small islands around Port Blair which fall
within the Marine National Park and are uninhabited and covered with
virgin forests on them. Daily excursion to various such islands
takes one to beautiful secluded beaches . The Marine life of corals
and fish is rich and colorful and is a delight for snorkels.
On the Western coast in the Arabian sea in Lakshadweep Group of
Islands . These have superb snorkeling and fine beaches.
The tear-drop shaped, uninhabited Bangaram island, is embraced by a
halo of creamy sand. Like in all other islands of Lakshadweep,
coconut palm groves are ubiquitous in Bangaram. There are three
uninhabited islands in the same atoll - Tinnakara, Parali-I, and
Parali-II. All the islands share the same lagoon, an enormous bowl
of turquoise blue. The warm, clear and deep waters of the Indian
Ocean pose an irresistible invitation to scuba divers. The Bangaram
Island Resort is fast becoming a by-word among the island - hoppers
of the world. Opened only recently to foreign tourists, the resort
with its simple but attractive housing, has already become a circled
spot in the brochures of tour operators all over.
Cellular Jail
This three-storeyed prison, constructed by the British in 1906, is a
pilgrim destination for freedom fighters. This colossal edifice has
mutely witnessed the most treacherous of inhumane atrocities borne
by the convicts, who were mostly freedom fighters. Now dedicated to
the nation as a National Memorial, it houses a spectacular sound and
light show, besides a museum and art gallery.
Cellular Jail, located at Port Blair, stood mute witness to the
tortures meted out to the freedom fighters, who were incarcerated in
this Jail. The Jail, completed in the year 1906 acquired the name,
‘cellular’ because it is entirely made up of individual cells
for the solitary confinement of the prisoners. It originally was a
seven pronged, puce-coloured building with central tower acting as
its fulcrum and a massive structure comprising honeycomb like
corridors. The building was subsequently damaged and presently three
out of the seven prongs are intact. The Jail, now a place of
pilgrimage for all freedom loving people, has been declared a
National Memorial.
The penal settlement established in Andamans by the British after
the First War of Independence in 1857 was the beginning of the
agonising story of freedom fighters in the massive and awful jails
at Viper Island followed by the Cellular Jail. The patriots who
raised their voice against the British Raj were sent to this Jail,
where many perished. Netaji Subash Chandra Bose hoisted the tri-colour
flag to proclaim Independence on 30th December 1943 at a place near
this Jail.
This three-storeyed prison, constructed by Britishers in 1906, is a
pilgrimage destination for freedom fighters. This colossal edifice
has mutely witnessed the most treacherous of inhumane atrocities
borne by the convicts, who were mostly freedom fighters. Now
dedicated to the nation as a National Memorial.
The saga of the heroic freedom struggle is brought
Andaman Water Sports Complex
This unique complex, the first of its kind in India, has all
possible aqua sports facilities including safe water sports like
paddle boats, row boats and water cycle, and adventure water sports
like wind surfing, wind skiing, water scooter. There is also a
memorial for the Battle of Aberdeen, fought between the Britishers
and the Andamanese aboriginals in 1859.
This is a unique sports complex in India in its own kind. There are
facilities for safe Water Sports such as Rowing Boats, Paddle Boats,
Kayaks, Aqua-cycle, Aqua-glide, Bumper boats, etc., and Adventure
water sports such as Water-skiing, Water scooters, Gemini boats,
Para-sailing, Sail boats, Wind-surfers, Speed boats, Glass-bottom
boats, etc., There are Saline Water Swimming Pool, Nature-walk,
Change Room, Food Plaza, also.
There is a Memorial built to commemorate the Battle of Aberdeen,
fought between the British and Andamane aborigines in May, 1859, in
which many Andamanese died. There is an artificial water-fall
nearby.
Gandhi Park
Laid in record time in the heart of Port Blair, it is an enticing
park comprising of a children's park, amusement park, deer park,
water sports facilities, Japanese temple, nature walk and a
restaurant.
This beautiful park at Port Blair has facilities like amusement
rides, safe water sports, nature trail around the lake, garden,
restaurant and historic remains like Japanese Temple as well as a
bunker. The erstwhile Dilthaman tank, which was the only source of
drinking water to Port Blair, and the area around it has been
developed into Gandhi Park in an unbelievably short time of 13 days.
Corbyn's Cove Complex
One of the most picturesque beaches, it is ideal for sun-bathing. It
has a tourist complex which offers a range of water sports
facilities. Located in the Bay of Bengal, the Union Territory of
Andaman and Nicobar Islands is an archipelago of over 300 islands, a
majority of which are uninhabited. The islands are surrounded by
coral reefs, sandy beaches and clear water. The islands were used by
the British in the 19th century, mainly for imprisoning Indian
freedom fighters in the 'cellular jail'.
The climate in the Andaman and Nicobar is tropical. The native
people of these islands are of Negroid and Monogloid stocks. The
main tribes are Onge, Andamanese, Shompen, Nicobarese and Jarawa.
The number of tribals is fast dwindling.
Anthropological Museum
Built in 1975, this small but informative museum showcases the four
Negroid tribes of the Andamans, viz, the Jarawas, Sentinelese,
Andamanese and the Onges, and two Mongoloid tribes of the Nicobars,
viz, the Nicobarese and the Shompens.
Fisheries Museum
With its display of about 350 species of sea-life, rare varieties of
coral, the museum reflects the enormous marine life and wealth
submerged in the waters of these islands.
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