Diu

Diu is a beautiful tiny island at a distance of about 785 km from Daman. With Chasi River in the North and the Arabian Sea on the other three sides, the island commands a coastal length of 21 km.

Diu comprises villages like Bucharwada and Vanakbara and the urban area of Diu Town, Ghogla and Fudam. The main population consists of Hindus, Muslims and Christians, and the social life has the pattern and rhythm as that in Gujarat. The climate of Diu is normally pleasant throughout the year.

ACCESS

Diu has excellent road links with Ahmedabad, Bhavnagar, Rajkot and Baroda. Important cities in Gujarat are covered by the Western Railway network. Luxury buses ply between Mumbai and Diu. It is air-linked with Mumbai. Nearest railhead is Veraval, about 80 km from Diu.

PLACES OF INTEREST

Nagoa Beach is about a 20 minute drive out of Diu through open arid land to dense coconut groves. The beach is about 2 km long and is exceptionally beautiful and quiet.

Diu Fort is an expansive and imposing structure commanding a magnificent view of the sea. It was built as a result of a defence alliance between the Sultan of Gujarat and the Portuguese against the Mughals, between the years 1535 and 1541.

The fort has the sea on three sides and a canal on the fourth. It has a lighthouse and a jail within its ramparts.

Fortress of Panikot is a magnificent stone structure in the sea, at the mouth of a creek. Approximately one mile from Diu jetty, this fort also has a lighthouse and a small chapel dedicated to Our Lady of the Sea.

St Paul's Church is dedicated to our Lady of Immaculate Conception, and was constructed in the years 1601 - 1610. The facade is perhaps the most elaborate of all Portuguese churches in India and glows when, in the evenings, it is illuminated by floodlights.

Jallandhar Shrine is located on a hillock close to the beach, and contains a stone carving of the face of Jallandhar.

Gangeshwar Temple in Fudam village is about 3 km away from Diu. Here, a shivalinga called Gangeshwar is in the midst of rocks and is washed by the tidal waves of the sea.

Navlakha Parshvanath Temple contains about 30 idols carved in marble. According to belief the Navlakha idol was formerly decorated by ornaments worth Rs 9,00,000.

Jama Masjid is well designed and the prayer hall can accommodate about 500 people.

Diu Museum (formerly the St Thomas Church which was converted into a museum to house the antique statues etc of the earlier rulers) now displays wooden carvings, statues, idols, shadow clods and other important artifacts collected from various sites.

Other places worth a visit in Diu are Kalingari Mata Temple, Jagdish Temple, Mahalaxmi Temple and Kankai Shrine. Diu also has a number of beaches and resorts namely the Ghoghla Beach, camping site Kevdi, Jallandhar Beach, Gomatimata Beach and Chakratirath Beach.

ACCOMMODATION

The Administration of Daman and Diu has provided affordable but luxurious accommodation to the tourist, both domestic and international. A number of excellent well-appointed cottages have been built close to the beaches at Jullandhar Beach, Ahmedpur Mandvi and Malala. Tented tourism and good hotels have also come up to cater to the tourist. Both A/c and non-a/c accommodations are available.

Govt. Circuit House, Phone: 2312.

PWD Rest House, Phone: 2476.

Tourist Complex Ghogla, Phone: 2112.

Fun Club, Phone: 2273.