With lengthy weekends across the nook this festive season, many people have been considering travelling to close by locations the place one can take pleasure in with family and friends and chill out and rejuvenate.

We propose you journey to one of many lesser-explored ‘gems’ of India this festive season – the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Have an unhurried trip by the white sandy shores and azure-coloured waters of the Andaman Sea, and let the pristine shoreline and pure nature of those islands transport you to a tranquil paradise.

Andaman and its historical past
Andaman and Nicobar Islands is a union territory of India comprising 572 islands, out of which solely 38 islands are inhabited. The chain of islands is taken into account to be a submerged extension of the Arakan Mountains.

The one lively volcano in India, Barren Island, is positioned in Andaman and Nicobar. The volcano had final erupted in 2017.

The islands had been generally known as Ma-Nakkavaram, that means the ‘Nice Open’ by the Cholas, who used the Andaman and Nicobar Islands as a strategic naval base. Marco Polo too, when he got here to India, referred to the islands as ‘Necuverann’. The islands bought the identify Nicobar through the British colonial interval.

The islands had been first occupied by the Danish East India Firm settlers in 1755. They even named the islands New Denmark initially however later modified the identify to Frederick’s Islands. In 1778, the Austrians tried to determine a colony within the islands and renamed them Theresa Islands.

In 1858, the British established a colony in present Port Blair, which grew to become a everlasting settlement. It was with the first objective of organising a penal colony for legal convicts from the Indian subcontinent. The Mobile Jail, which was used to accommodate political prisoners, was constructed on the islands.

When travelling to the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, do embody the next locations in your sightseeing itinerary.

1. Mobile Jail
Also referred to as Kaala Paani, the British constructed the mobile jail in 1906 to imprison and exile the Indian freedom fighters. It was constructed to maintain just one prisoner in a cell with the aim of solitary confinement in order that the prisoners wouldn’t be capable to talk with each other. This is likely one of the most essential historic landmarks and well-liked vacationer points of interest to go to in Andaman. It showcases the darkish interval of Indian historical past and the lifetime of our freedom fighters. The jail has now been transformed right into a museum.

2. Radhanagar Seaside, Havelock Islands
A few of the greatest seashores of those islands are present in Havelock Islands. Generally generally known as Seaside No. 7, Radhanagar has been given the title of ‘The Greatest Seaside in Asia’ and the ‘seventh Greatest Seaside within the World’ by Time Journal in 2004. The seashore was additionally included within the High 25 seashores in Asia by Tripadvisor’s Traveler’s Selection Awards in 2016.

3. Kalapathar Seaside, Havelock Islands
It’s a gorgeous lengthy stretch of white sandy seashore with its distinctive lining of massive black rocks beside the serene blue sea. The seashore will get its identify Kalapathar from the adjoining road referred to as Black Highway. Go to this seashore to witness the charming dawn and sundown seen from right here.

4. Elephant Seaside
Elephant Seaside is positioned at a distance of 8.6 kms from the Havelock jetty and is taken into account the water sports activities haven of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Located amidst dense tropical jungles, the seashore is engulfed by tall bushes and greenery from all sides. The water at this white, sandy seashore is comparatively shallow and freed from rocks and onerous corals so one can swim right here fairly simply. The seashore presents one of many widest alternatives of water sports activities actions on the island, like jet snowboarding, kayaking, pace boats, banana and couch boat rides. The seashore is known as Elephant Seaside as a result of there was three elephants right here providing rides to vacationers on the seashore. Nonetheless, there aren’t any elephants right here at present.

5. Neil Island
It’s a stunning island positioned 37 km south of Port Blair and is also referred to as the vegetable bowl of the Andaman Islands because the land right here is good for the cultivation of vegetables and fruit. Recognized for its magnificent biodiversity, unexplored coral reefs, white sandy seashores, and tropical woodlands, Neil Island is greatest suited for many who need to spend a relaxed time amongst lengthy abandoned seashores. A few of the greatest seashores of Neil Islands are Bharatpur Seaside, Sitapur Seaside and Laxmanpur Seaside, all named after the mythological characters from the Ramayana. A collective tour to those three seashores is called the Three Level Tour.

6. Chidiya Tapu
Also referred to as Andaman’s Chook Island, Chidiya Tapu is a wealthy mangrove forest that hosts quite a few species of birds. This eco-park, positioned on the southernmost tip of the South Andaman Island, is 28 km from Port Blair. Other than being a birdwatcher’s paradise, Chidiya Tapu can be well-known as a picnic spot and for actions like trekking. One of many primary points of interest of Chidiya tapu is its Sundown Level; from right here, you will get a powerful view of the setting solar because it dips into the Bay of Bengal.

7. Mount Harriet
Mount Harriet, now renamed Mount Manipur in honour of the liberty fighters of Manipur who performed a big position in resisting the British within the Northeast through the 1857 and 1891 revolution, is the third-highest island peak within the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It’s right here that Manipur’s Maharaja Kulchandra Singh and 22 different freedom fighters had been imprisoned through the Anglo-Manipuri battle (1891).

8. Ross Island
Ross Island, initially recognized after the marine surveyor Daniel Ross, was renamed Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Island in December 2018. The island is positioned 3 kms east of Port Blair and is understood for its historic ruins and British structure. The island was first occupied in 1782, and a sanatorium was constructed there, after which once more in 1857 by the British, who used it as an Administrative Headquarters for 85 years. Throughout this time, the British made many important authorities places of work on this penal settlement, which had been later deserted after an earthquake in 1941.

Now isn’t this really a ‘hidden gem’ of our nation? So why wait any additional… Pack your luggage on the subsequent alternative, plan a visit to this stunning archipelago, and have a beautiful and memorable trip!