Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Andaman & Nicobar Islands is a union territory of India. Informally, the territory's name is often abbreviated to A & N Islands, or ANI. It is located in the Indian Ocean, in the southern reaches of the Bay of Bengal. It comprises two island groups - the Andaman Islands and the Nicobar Islands - which separate the Andaman Sea to the east from the Indian Ocean. These two groups are separated by the 10° N parallel, the Andamans lying to the north of this latitude, and the Nicobars to the south. The capital of this territory is the Andamanese town of Port Blair.

The Andaman and Nicobar islands have been inhabited for several thousand years, at the very least. The earliest archaeological evidence yet documented goes back some 2,200 years; however, the indications from genetic, cultural and linguistic isolation studies point to habitation going back 30,000 to 60,000 years, well into the Middle Paleolithic.

In the Andaman Islands, the various Andamanese peoples maintained their separated existence through the vast majority of this time, diversifying into distinct linguistic, cultural and territorial groups.

In total, these peoples numbered somewhere around 7,000 at the time of these first encounters. As the numbers of settlers from the mainland increased (at first mostly prisoners and involuntary indentured labourers, later purposely recruited farmers),

these indigenous peoples lost territory and numbers in the face of land encroachment and the effects of various epidemic diseases. The Jangil and most of the Great Andamanese groups soon became extinct; presently there remain only approximately 400-450 indigenous Andamanese, the Jarawa and Sentinelese in particular maintaining a steadfast independence and refusing most attempts at contact.

On 26 December 2004 the coasts of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands were devastated by a 10 metre high tsunami following the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake. At least 7,000 people (possibly a conservative estimate) were believed to have been killed on the Nicobar and Andaman Islands during the disaster.

While newer settlers of the islands suffered the greatest casualties from the tsunami, most of the aboriginal people survived because oral traditions passed down from generations ago warned them to evacuate from large waves that follow large earthquakes.

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Andaman and Nicobar Adventure Guide

Scuba Diving

The much talked about marine life of Andaman is not just in talks. You have to see it for yourself the magic that the colorful corals spread, the mysterious charm the ship wreck creates and the rare fish species that reside in the remains. Scuba Diving requires certification and several training centers present there provide with pool training, theory and open water diving session. After the certification when you have confidence you can aim for the open seas you can dive into the waters of Cinque, Rutland and Snake Island.

Cinque Island

Cinque islands are situated above the South of Chirya Tapu and are almost uninhabited place. Cinque Island is a popular scuba diving destination. It is famous for its clear waters and visibility up to 80 feet. The marine life underneath which include corals, sightings of shark make this diving at this place worth.

Rutland Island

Located across the Macpherson Strait from Port Blair, Rutland Island makes the southernmost main islands of the closely-situated Great Andaman archipelago. The island sprawls across an area of 109.3 sq km and boasts of a coastline measuring 60 km. The fishes and corals found here are smaller and the shallow waters are a good place for training open water divers.

Snake Island

This island boasts of some awesome rock faces and an amazing dive landscape. The marine life here is filled with Trigger fish, Grunts, Goatfish and Rays. The emerald waters of this island make for an amazing diving experience.

Havelock Island

Located approximately 4 hours from Port Blair airport this island can be reached by inter island ferry. This island is a perfect base for hiking, fishing, kayaking and sailing to other islands. The Radha Nagar beach on Havelock is the ‘Best Beach of Asia’, by Time Magazine.

Trekking

Andaman and Nicobar islands are blessed with breathtaking hills which for trekkers is good news. It shouldn’t come as a surprise if trekking happens to be a favorite activity here. Infact it has some interesting diversification where it is addressed as 'tramping' or 'bushwalking' or 'backpacking'.

Mount Harriet is a commencement point for treks leading up to Madhuban. If the woodland and exotic plantations of this place don’t excite you that much then you can opt for other routes. You can try the nature trail from Mt. Harriet to Kalapathar or enjoy treks at Chidiya tapu. For trek enthusiasts there is no dearth of half day hiking trails in Havelock.

Snorkelling

If you are not a diver or a swimmer you can go for fun in the shallow waters also. The waters are unbelievably clear in Andaman and corals, fishes and several other underwater miracles can be visible as you snorkel. Snorkelling in Andaman is carried out at Wandoor National Park - Jolly Bouy and the Red Skin Islands. For viewing of some mesmerizing corals, Cinque Island is the place to be. Sippighat Water Sports Complex near Fisheries museum is another good snorkeling place. Snorkelling is a down to dusk activity and is also done at Andaman Water Sports Complex, Corbyn's Cove Tourism Complex, Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park, and Havelock.

Island Camping

Camping on the beach; it’s like a dream come true. Imagining enjoying the sun, sea and the nature from the comforts of your rooms. Nothing better than camping! Radhanagar Beach in Havelock Island have made tents available at moderate rates to anyone looking for island camping. The tourists principally assemble at the beach front forests to carry out island camping across Andaman and Nicobar. The island campers in Andaman and Nicobar islands generally spend one or more than one night at the camping spot. You can also blend island camping at Andaman and Nicobar with backpacking or hiking which further enhances its charm and charisma.

Adventure destinations

Andaman Water Sports Complex is a one of a kind sports complex offering many adventurous water sports activities. Located close to the Cellular Jail in the north-west Port Blair, this sports complex is home to a variety of water sports facilities for adventure sports of all sorts; Activities like para-sailing, sail boats, paddle boats, rowing boats, water scooters, kayaks and water skiing facilities are available here in this complex.

Baratang Island is about 90 km away from Port Blair. Mud Volcano is located 4 km away from the jetty and Limestone Caves located about 50 minutes by sea are located near this island.

Diglipur in North Andaman Islands is 300 km from Port Blair by road and around 180 km by sea. Saddle Peak near Diglipur, is situated at a height of 4500 feet and is a well known trekking spot.

Havelock Island is situated near Port Blair. The breath taking stunning landscapes of this island are its highlight feature. For all fun activities you can gather at Havelock Island and have a blast. Expect yourself to engage in sunbathing, beachcombing, swimming, and surfing, beach camping and snorkeling. The stunning beauty of the nature is the prime attraction of this Island.

THRILLOPHILIA deals with adventure-related activities on a pan-India level. Be its Rafting in the Tons or in the Kali River at Dandeli, Camel Safari in Ladakh or in the Thar Desert, Trekking around Bangalore or Ladakh, Scuba Diving in Lakshadweep or Andaman, we cater it all. We also have some fabulous Biking trips, Caving, Wildlife, Paragliding and many more adrenaline pumping adventure sports. India, having varied landscapes happens to be one of the finest destinations in the world for adventure.

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Andaman and Nicobar Islands - The Receptacles of Beauty and Peace

The Andaman and Nicobar Islands were getting less attention from the world tourists till the date. Formerly these islands were connected through the sea-route only. Now we can go and can easily visit Andaman, the main island, by plane journey, too. These islands are receptacles of beauty, presenting a landscape full with picturesque extravaganza.

These islands are situated in the Bay of Bengal, just a two hours' flight from India's Eastern coast. We can go from Chennai airport or Kolkata airport. The real wealth of these islands is distributed among their dense forest. The virgin forests here have innumerable exotic trees, plants, flowers, and birds, creating a highly poetic and romantic atmosphere.

The main city of Port Blair situated on the main island Andaman is connected by air with major cities of India. The tourists with the budget travels can prefer travelling by sea from the ports of Chennai and Kolkata. The Andaman & Nicobar islands are a group of a total of 572 islands; they are inhabited and some of them are uninhabited. The flora and fauna of these islands suggest that their land has remained away from the main stream of modern civilization.

The main city on these islands is Port Blair where there is a Marine Park made-up of open sea, creeks and 15 small and large islands. It is one of the best Marine Parks of the world. As the main city Port Blair is a small and peaceful one, the traveller would not find any difficulty in finding accommodation here at cheaper rate.

To explore the other destinations for travelling in India, you can visit the following sites:

PONDICHERRY, EASTERN FRENCH RIVIERA

ANDAMAN AND NICOBAR ISLANDS

I write short stories and articles about the paintings.

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Learning From the Jarawas

“YOUR blood pressure is too high, and your nerves are a wreck. Take a trip to a tropical island and relax!” If you are keyed up under the tensions and pressures of modern civilization, this might be just the advice you need. Even if not for medical reasons, who can resist such a tempting suggestion? So why not get away from it all by visiting the Andaman Islands, home of the Jarawas?

Andaman Islands? Jarawas? Don’t be embarrassed if you have never heard of them, for they are far off the beaten track of world tourism. If you look at a map, you will find the Andaman Islands in the Bay of Bengal, between India and Myanmar (formerly Burma). This archipelago, made up of some 300 islands, is now the land’s end of the Republic of India.

An Uncivilized People?

The islands are the home of four Negrito tribes the Great Andamanese, the Jarawas, the Sentinelese, and the Onges. The Negritos, meaning “little negroes,” are thought to be remnants of an ancient, dark-skinned, pygmy race that once inhabited most of Southeast Asia and Oceania. Because of their isolation, they have been called the purest remnants of “Stone Age man,” or, as Lieutenant Colebrook of the British Army, which once controlled the islands, put it, “the least civilised in the world.”

In 1858 when the British established a penal colony there, the Great Andamanese numbered in the thousands. Soon, the outsiders’ diseases measles, syphilis, and others along with opium addiction and alcoholism, devastated the tribesmen. Now only a few of them, all of mixed blood, remain on tiny Strait Island. The Onges suffered a similar fate.

For years the Jarawas and the Sentinelese resisted contact with, and exploitation by, outsiders. Their hostility succeeded in keeping them in isolation but also earned them the reputation of being uncivilized and bloodthirsty cannibals. Only a relatively few years ago, when officers of the anthropological department in Port Blair, the capital of the Andaman Islands, tried to contact one of the tribal groups on North Sentinel Island, their launch was met with a shower of arrows, one piercing the leg of a photographer.

What made them so hostile? M. V. Portman, a British officer administering the islands at the end of the last century, remarked: “On our arrival the Jarawas were quiet and inoffensive towards us, nor did they ever disturb us, until we took to continuously molesting them by inciting the coastal Andamanese against them. After a few years of this disturbance, the life of the Jarawas became very hard and in retaliation they began to attack us. It was our fault if the Jarawas became hostile.”

The Jarawa Way of Life

The Jarawas are seminomadic. They live in groups of about 30, and a number of neighboring groups make up a tribe. Each group moves about within a well-defined boundary and does not trespass the territory of other groups. Living in a lush, tropical environment, they have no agriculture and maintain no domestic animals. Their livelihood depends on their bows, arrows, and spears hunting and fishing.

It is part of their way of life that food is shared in common. So if someone in the group catches a turtle, everyone has turtle. If one catches a pig, everyone has pig. In their social order, there are no class distinctions with haves and have-nots. “The Jarawas could never be considered poor,” said one of the anthropological officers. “They have all their want in abundance.”

An unusual thing about the Jarawas is that they are among the few peoples around the world who do not know how to start a fire. They get their fire from burning forests ignited by lightning during the frequent thunderstorms. And they guard their fires carefully, keeping them burning and even carrying them along when they move.

A bane of modern civilization is the breakdown in moral values. “Among the Jarawas, there is no premarital sex,” said the officer quoted above. “Adultery is very rare. A guilty one would face strong social disapproval. He would feel so bad he would leave the community for some length of time before he would feel like returning.” Do people living in your “civilized” community have such a keen sense of morality?

Modern civilization is synonymous with high blood pressure, heart disease, cancer, and the like. The Jarawas are not plagued with such illnesses. Though small in stature the men being not over five feet [1.5 m] tall and the women even shorter they have been called “the most perfectly formed little beings in existence.” In their own environment, they seldom fall ill.

Though religion is not prominent in their lives, the Jarawas do have certain rituals regarding the dead. When someone dies, the body is buried, and the hut formerly occupied by the deceased is abandoned. After some months, the body is exhumed. The skull, or more often the lower jaw, is then worn by the next of kin. After some time, other relatives wear it in turn. This practice is considered a mark of respect for the dead one and is clearly connected with their ideas about the dead. The Jarawas believe that there is a soul, a carrier of life, that lives on in another world. They also believe that the soul still takes an interest in them, so they will not do anything that may annoy it.

A Home of Plenty

The Jarawas enjoy a home richly endowed. Among the many beautiful plants dressing the islands are the glorious orchids, some of them found only in these islands. In 1880, according to regional botanist Dr. N. P. Balakrishnan, some varieties of these orchids “like rare diamonds” were fetching “fabulous prices in England.”

Recently found on Sentinel Island by a German scientist, at the cost of a finger, is the robber crab. The Government Fisheries Department Exhibition at Port Blair, Andaman Islands, has had a display board description of the robber crab that claims: ‘Dangerous to coconut plantations. Climbs coconut trees. Plucks ripe fruit. Breaks open the shell with its formidable claws. Drinks the sweet water and eats the coconut flesh.’ Others, however, have questioned that this crab actually does all of this. While acknowledging that the crab climbs trees, critics say it only opens and eats damaged coconuts already on the ground.

What the Future Holds

Under the influence of modern civilization, will the Jarawas go the way of the Great Andamanese and the Onges gradual decline and perhaps eventual extinction? Only time will tell. But for centuries before outsiders came, they had been taking care of their God-given home and making use of the provisions in an unselfish way. Theirs was, indeed, a simple, peaceful way of life. Can we learn something from the Jarawas?

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India Tour Packages: Underwater Adventures

When you're in search of underwater adventure, there is no place better than Andaman & Nicobar islands in India! Yes, besides its beautiful landscapes, majestic hills and marvelous beaches, India is also home to some of the best scuba and snorkeling spots in the world. Lakshdweep, Goa and Andaman & Nicobar Islands are top draw amongst underwater adventurers from around the globe.

Andaman Nicobar Islands is an archipelago of 572 islands lying along an arc in the Bay of Bengal. Covering an area of 8,249 sq km from north to south, these quaint, unspoilt and pristine islands are home to some of the most mysterious aboriginal tribes. Rich in flora and fauna, diverse marine life and virgin beaches, these islands are becoming top tourist attraction around the globe.

Besides its exotic wildlife, the Andaman & Nicobar Islands are home to more than 1200 species of fish, 1000 species of molluscs, 350 species of echinoderms and many other forms of marine life. Coral and coral reefs are most bewitching part of marine life in Andaman & Nicobar islands. There are 179 species of corals found here. Vertebrates like dugongs, whales and dolphins are common sights. The sandy beaches of these islands are so soft that they are favorite nesting places for exotic species of turtles including Olive Ridley turtle, leather back turtle, green sea turtle and hawksbill turtle. Salt water crocodiles, water monitor lizards, reticulate pythons are also common.

With its breathtaking underwater views of marine life and coral reefs, the Andaman & Nicobar Islands is the best destination for snorkeling, fishing and scuba diving. Visit Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park, Carbyn's Cove Tourism Complex, Havelock Islands and other islands such as North Bay, Rutland, Kachuadera, Barabalu, Tarmugli many more exotic islands with your India tour packages.

Scuba diving is available in most of the Islands and you don't need to be a expert swimmer for scuba diving. Tourists can also avail of the various training courses offered by the hotels and resorts and tourism agencies. Many of these courses last from one day to a week. Havelock Island, Cinque Island, Fish RockIsland and many more are the popular scuba diving sites.

Besides underwater adventures, there is a lot to do and see at Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Cruise lining, sailing, deep sea fishing, adventure water sports, trekking, lagoon cruise, island camping, elephant safari and many more are other activities you can enjoy during your tour package to India.

Author Irfan helps you in finding best information about tour package to India. For more information log on to http://www.indianholiday.com.

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Islands of India – a Bevy of Beauties

An island is a piece of land completely surrounded by water. Above high tide and isolated from other significant landmasses, islands of India have emergent land features. There are two main types of islands i.e., continental islands and oceanic islands. Continental islands are bodies of land that lie on the continental shelf of a continent. On the other hand, an oceanic island is one that does not sit on continental shelves. This type of island is volcanic in origin. However, a group of geographically related islands is called an archipelago. India has two major offshore island possessions i.e., the Lashadweep and the Andaman and Nicobar islands.

The Andaman Islands are a group of islands in the Bay of Bengal. Port Blair is the chief community on the islands. The climate is typical of tropical islands of similar latitude. It is always warm, but with sea-breeze it cools down the day temperature. Rainfall is irregular here, but south-west monsoon causes heavy rainfall here. The Andaman Island comprises a number of islands i.e., Barren Island, Great Andaman, Little Andaman, Ritchie's Archipelago, and Sentinel Islands. Also, the Nicobar Islands are an island chain in the eastern Indian Ocean, are part of Union territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. This piece of island is a great island arch created by the collision of the Indo-Australian Plate with Eurasia.

The Lakshadweepa is located 200 to 300 km off of the coast of Kerala in the Arabian Sea. Eleven of the islands are inhabited. Lashadweep officially consists of 12 atolls, 3 reefs and 5 submerged banks, with a total of about 36 islands and islets. The name of the archipelago literally translates as hundred thousand island i.e., laksha one hundred thousand, and dweep means island.

Apart from this, islands of India contain islands of the Cauvery River that encompasses islands of Srigangapatna and Shivanasamudram. Also, you can visit islands of Mumbai harbour. The range of islands includes Butcher Island, Cross Island, Elephanta Island, Middle Ground, Oyster Rock, Salsette Island, etc.

The Islands of India are famous for tourist spots. They are perfect holiday destination for nature-lovers. Every piece of island has its own richness in a bevy of beauties.

Sonal Arya is offering advice for quite some time. Having completed her Ph.d in Archaeology from The Jawaharlal Nehru University. She provide useful advice through her articles that have been found very useful. To find islands of india, famous in india, cities in india, temples in india, personalities in india visit http://www.famousinindia.com/

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Port Blair Hotels – The Gateway To The Secluded Island Destination!

Port Blair is the principal point to enter the islands of Andaman and Nicobar. It is the main administrative center of the island territory and serves as the capital of the archipelago of Andaman and Nicobars. Port Blair happens to be the largest city of the island region and therefore hold significant position in the development of tourism of the region. The wide array of Port Blair hotels induces the growth to a great extent. Apart from that the Vir Savarkar Airport and the chief ferry jetty, the Phoenix Bay being located at Port Blair, the travelers are bound to start their island trip from here.

Port Blair is a bustling city of the island and comprise several spots of tourist attractions and the different commercial and entertainment zones are also dispersed throughout the city. Andaman & Nicobar Island have been a great tourist destination for a long time and bulk of tourist frequents the place throughout the year. The ">http://www.indianholiday.com/hotels-in-india/hotels-in-andaman-nicobar/hotels-in-port-blair/">Port Blair Hotels facilitate the influx of the tourist at a great deal to the serene island.

Port Blair lies at the eastern coast of South Andaman and has an assortment of pristine beaches and various exciting venues of tourist attraction in the proximity. Most of the hotels in Port Blair are located in favorable distance from these places so that the tourist can plan an extensive sightseeing itinerary to explore round the island.

There is a versatile range of Port Blair hotels showcasing various kind options of accommodation in the city. There are Luxury hotels and resorts, various four star, three star and budget ">http://www.indianholiday.com/hotels-in-india/hotels-in-andaman-nicobar/hotels-in-port-blair/">hotels in Port Blair and there are also some hotels which are run by Government authorities.

The accommodation in Port Blair mainly consist of various sea view rooms, sea side cottages and beach houses which will fill one’s vacation with an enthralling charm. The Port Blair Hotels are all well marked with an exquisite range of hospitality and the band of professional yet friendly staff members ensures that the patrons should never have an opportunity to complain about anything. The well appointed roomed decked with elegance and the choice of most modernized amenities and facilities make the stay perfect with full exposure to the bewitching island charm.

The range of various dining options and various recreational facilities also make the vacation a cherished one. So, visit Andaman & Nicobar Island and have a pleasing stay in any of the Port Blair hotels.

Port Blair Hotels are well planned and excellent. To know more about Hotels in Port Blair , browse through http://www.indianholiday.com/hotels-in-india/hotels-in-andaman-nicobar/hotels-in-port-blair/.

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Beach Holidays in India- Sun, Sand, Sea, Surf, Music, Food, Drink and Fun: Your Beach Holidays in India Has it All

If you are dreaming of a holiday with a combination of sun, sand, sea and surf, then go for the beach holidays in India. The beaches in India are hard to resist. Especially, the beach lovers and those who love water sport adventures must visit the exotic beaches in India.

The beach holidays in India offer you an unending choice. There are numerous beaches in almost every part of India including Andhra Pradesh, Andaman & Nicobar, Goa, Gujarat, Kerala, Karnataka, Lakshadweep, Maharashtra, Orissa and Tamil Nadu. What you, as a tourist, need to do is just take your pick and select a tour to one of the beautiful beaches like Anjuna Beach, Baga Beach, Dona Paula Beach, Calangute Beach, Kovalam Beach, Marina Beach and Juhu Beach.

Speaking of beach destinations in India, there are two names that click instantly- Goa and Kerala. But have you ever explored the unexplored? To know more about the country’s beaches embark on a tour to the shell beaches in India. The coastline of Andhra Pradesh is a shell collector's paradise. Vizag is another unspoilt beach destination. Rishikonda and the virgin beaches of Pondicherry is also a noteworthy pleasure and relaxation spot. Manglore's Taneerbhavi and Panambhoor, Beyt Dwarka in Gujarat, Malpe in Karnataka, Marwanthe beach and the beaches of Lakshadweep and Andaman and Nicobar has attracted beach lovers’ since time immemorial.

If you are planning to take your family along, then some of the best beach options include Marine Drive, Juhu and Chowpatty Beaches in Mumbai. Other options are Kovalam Beach in Kerala, Marine and Elliot's Beaches, Puri and Konark Beaches in Orissa, the Vishakhapatnam beaches, Gopalpur and Chandipur in Orissa.

The romantic beaches of India are often preferred by he honeymooners. If you want to spend some romantic moments with someone special, then choose from some of the most dreamy beach destinations in India. Some isolated beaches in India are located far away from the madding crowd. They are not over crowded by the tourists every year, yet they offer the best facilities possible. These least explored and unspoiled beaches include the beaches of Lakshadweep Islands, beaches of Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Serenity Beach in Pondicherry, Kovalam Beach in Kerala and Anjuna Beach, Baga Beach, Dona Paula, Bogmolo Beach and Polalem Beach in Goa. The beach resorts located near these beaches are perfect for the newly married couples.

Those exploring the great beaches in India must spend some time trying the water sports available there. Indian Beaches like Diu Beach, Beaches of Andaman & Nicobar Islands, beaches of Lakshadweep Islands and Anjuna Beach, Baga Beach, Dona Paula in Goa are best at that. The Kovalam beach, Colva Beach and Covelong Beach are the sports lovers’ paradise. Away from the hustle and bustle of city life, these serene beaches are ideal for the adventure freaks. Water sports activities offered here include sailing, Para sailing windsurfing, snorkeling, scuba diving, canoeing, kayaking, surfing, fishing and water skiing.

Besides the pristine beauty and exotic locations, the beaches offer a wide range of entertainment. When you visit the Goa beaches, you will get to listen and tap your feet to the music of the guitarists and musicians playing at the Goan beachside. The beachside restaurants, nightclubs and casinos present in the major beachside entertainment areas of Goa will add to your excitement.

If you want to make your Beach Holidays in India memorable, then plan your trip with Indianholiday.com. The site offers the detailed information on the greatest beaches in India and guides you to a wonderful tour experience.

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Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Andaman & Nicobar Islands is a union territory of India. Informally, the territory's name is often abbreviated to A & N Islands, or ANI. It is located in the Indian Ocean, in the southern reaches of the Bay of Bengal. It comprises two island groups - the Andaman Islands and the Nicobar Islands - which separate the Andaman Sea to the east from the Indian Ocean. These two groups are separated by the 10° N parallel, the Andamans lying to the north of this latitude, and the Nicobars to the south. The capital of this territory is the Andamanese town of Port Blair.

The Andaman and Nicobar islands have been inhabited for several thousand years, at the very least. The earliest archaeological evidence yet documented goes back some 2,200 years; however, the indications from genetic, cultural and linguistic isolation studies point to habitation going back 30,000 to 60,000 years, well into the Middle Paleolithic.

In the Andaman Islands, the various Andamanese peoples maintained their separated existence through the vast majority of this time, diversifying into distinct linguistic, cultural and territorial groups.

In total, these peoples numbered somewhere around 7,000 at the time of these first encounters. As the numbers of settlers from the mainland increased (at first mostly prisoners and involuntary indentured labourers, later purposely recruited farmers),

these indigenous peoples lost territory and numbers in the face of land encroachment and the effects of various epidemic diseases. The Jangil and most of the Great Andamanese groups soon became extinct; presently there remain only approximately 400-450 indigenous Andamanese, the Jarawa and Sentinelese in particular maintaining a steadfast independence and refusing most attempts at contact.

On 26 December 2004 the coasts of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands were devastated by a 10 metre high tsunami following the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake. At least 7,000 people (possibly a conservative estimate) were believed to have been killed on the Nicobar and Andaman Islands during the disaster.

While newer settlers of the islands suffered the greatest casualties from the tsunami, most of the aboriginal people survived because oral traditions passed down from generations ago warned them to evacuate from large waves that follow large earthquakes.

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Pristine Serenity of Andaman & Nicobar Islands

What else in India is more serene and pristine than Andaman & Nicobar Islands consists of about 527 islands? The twin islands lies in the Bay of Bengal where out of 527 only 38 islands are inhabited, while the rest are left barren. The islands are mostly shrouded with dense forests, the coastline along the islands stretches to about 100 km, offering numerous pristine beaches along its shores. The capital city Port Blair has significant contribution to Indian history. The first and only Cellular Jain in Port Blair witnesses the gory past of Kalapani of India martyr. As many as 200 prisoners, constituting of mostly rebels from the Indian Army were imprisoned at this island, which is about 15 minutes from Port Blair. Here, prisoners were subject to complete isolation, were often tortured and those showing attitude were hanged to death.

Andaman & Nicobar Islands have lot to offer to travellers. Apart from natural beauty and calmness, there are some national parks, which are home to number of exotic fauna. One of the popular places is Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park at Wandoor, which is located at a distance of 29 km from Port Blair. The park covers an area of 281.5 sq km, is made up of open sea, creeks and 15 small and large islands. The place is ideal for viewing rare corals and underwater marine life through glass bottom boats, while adventure lovers can have a time of their life doing scuba diving and snorkelling.

The park also has facilities of amusement rides and various water sports. The best of course the nature trail around the lake, garden, restaurant and historic remains like Japanese Temple as well as a bunker and is a must see sight for tourists to Port Blair. The place is a home to rare sea turtles and salt water crocodiles. While strolling on the beaches one can see several animals like crocodiles, turtles, dolphins and different exotic fishes. There are plenty of tourist beaches in the Island such as Radhanagar Beach, Harminder Bay Beach, Wandoor Beach.

A popular picnic spot in Andaman is Aam-Kunj Beach, found in Rangat. This place is filled with commercial viability and is frequented by foreign tourists who love to let loose their adventurous side in the high and strong waves of this beach. Other than these there is a beautiful place called Chidiya Tapu, the southern most tip of South Andaman, Sippighat Farm; Madhuban – trekking area, Mini Zoo, situated at Haddo; Neil Island, 32 km from Port Blair, Campbell Bay, the boundary of Nicobar and Ross Island are other popular tourist spots in the region.

Andaman & Nicobar Islands are well connected with major cities of India. Port Blair has an airport that is connected through vast network of flights. Also from Kolkata and Chennai there are weekly ships plying to Andaman & Nicobar. There are also plenty of accommodation options available in the Andaman & Nicobar. The best time to visit the destination is from November to March and lovely unique shells, collected along its sea shores, act as perfect souvenirs to take along with memories to last a lifetime.

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Revive in the Black Waters!

Get going for a scuba dive, water-skiing, sail board wind surfing and more on the secluded island...

Andaman and Nicobar islands in the Bay of Bengal, is home to some of the rarest flora and fauna. It is one of the most exquisite destination for tourism; known for its bluish-silver water, interrupted by the bits and pieces of rocky land. Adventure seekers access the island by joyful rides via ferries, boats, small ships and often doongis (motor boats). Indulge in boating, going up a creek, swim in a cove, snorkel in a bay or jus laze around on the beaches and shores.

Port Blair and Havelock are the inhabited islands with several beaches, challenging an adventurist to endeavour water-sports like water-skiing, wake-board, sail board wind surfing and much more. Coral colonies are plentiful in Andaman and Nicobar. One can explore the many shapes and color of it, underwater. Sea creatures like anemones, sponges, marine fish, crabs, shrimps, sea-urchin and the giant clams are common catch by the deep-sea divers.

The sea along the coast of Havelock is greatly known for the diving possibilities. The underwater world is home to a variety of marine lives, which allures divers to plunge into the sea. Some major diving sites are Lighthouse, Pilot Reef, Mac Point, Minerva Ledge and Turtle Bay where divers can even explore the marine world in the night when lobsters, squid and stingray get active. Go kayaking, fishing, trekking, boating, scuba-diving and snorkeling in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

The Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park in Wandoor preserves the tropical eco-system under threat all over the globe. The Havelock Island which boasts of the two prominent beaches Radhanagar and Vijaynagar are perfect for beach walkers, doze under the shade a of sun-umbrella and relish a chilly beer and sea-food, available on the beach restaurants.

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Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Revive in the Black Waters!