Ahmedpur Mandvi Beach Ahmedpur Mandvi Beach is one of the lesser-known gems of Diu that lies at the meeting point of Gujarat and Diu. The beach is sprawled along a 6 km stretch of the clear Arabian Sea and offers a scenic view of the Diu Fort. It is an ideal location to spend a quiet day with silvery white sands and pristine blue waters. Ahmedpur Mandvi provides a rich blend of cultures from Saurashtra and the Portuguese influence from Diu, in several lively fishing hamlets. Adjacent to the island of Diu, which lies just across a creek, it continues as Ghogla Beach into the adjoining part of mainland Diu. It provides ripe opportunities for adventure sports and dolphin sightings. The state government has chosen Ahmedpur Mandvi Beach as one of the 14 beaches to promote beach tourism. St Paul's Church Also known as the Church of Immaculate Conception, St Paul Church holds both spiritual and historical significance. It takes its architectural style from the Gothic example and was built by the Portuguese. The structure of the church is quite majestic and the elaborate front facade immediately arrests one's attention. The interiors are equally lavish with the walls covered in shell-like motifs, a vaulted stone dome, three altars including the pulpit that are made of black wood worked with great precision and craftsmanship. The wood is believed to have been brought from Mozambique, the erstwhile African colony of the Portuguese. A statue of Mary is enthroned on the main altar and right underneath is the sanctum sanctorum. The foundation stone of the church was laid on April 7, 1601, and the construction was completed in 1610. Nagao Beach One of the prettiest beaches in the country, Nagao Beach and its peaceful surroundings provide the perfect setting to unwind in the lap of nature. Also known as the Golden Beach, it is the largest beach in Diu and draws visitors throughout the year. The beach is lined with a large number of palm trees, locally known as Hoka Palm. Tourists can indulge in various activities at the beach including water sports. The clean water of the sea is perfect and safe for swimming. The beach is known for its cleanliness and is dotted with beautiful benches where you can sit and relax amidst the serene surroundings. Tourists can find plenty of hotels near the beach and a number of food joints nearby. Tulsishyam Mandir Several hundred years old, Tulsishyam Mandir is dedicated to Lord Krishna. The magnificent architecture of the temple is a testament to the rich heritage of the region. Devotees should attend the spectacular evening arti (a fire ritual with earthen lamps) that is held at the temple regularly. Free lunch and dinners are also offered to devotees at the temple. The temple also houses a Gaushala that has around 200 cows. In close proximity lie medical hot springs that are believed to heal one from skin diseases. The temple is located at the heart of the Gir National Park in Junagadh and is one of the most visited spiritual sites in Gujarat. Tourists can also enjoy a safari through the park to spot the Asiatic lion prowling freely in the wild. Naida Caves Naida Caves are the most interesting rock formations in Diu. It is believed that these caves existed naturally earlier, but when the Portuguese took over the region, they used the orange-brown stone from them to make the majestic Diu Fort, leaving behind an interesting structure. These caves are a maze-like formation that are a delight to explore. Located outside the Diu fort, the caves are adorned with an intricate network of tunnels and huge step-like structures that make for a fascinating climb. The caves also provide good opportunities to photographers as the sunlight streaming through various cracks make the scene quite photogenic. Moreover, traversing through the rock-hewn structures and climbing over the steps is a thrilling experience that should not be missed. Palitana Located about 170 km from Diu, Palitana is famed for a large cluster of Jain temples. On your way to the Shatrunjaya Hill top from the base, you will come across as many as 836 beautiful temples. Reaching the top is not an easy task as it requires tourists to climb almost 4,000 steps over a 3.5 km long uphill climb. The site holds immense significance for the Jain community as it was here that the first Jain tirthankara (saint), Adinath, achieved enlightenment, making the Shatrunjay Hill a holy site for Jains. The temples have been built in the 11th, 12 th centuries and 16th centuries. Interestingly, unlike other temples in the country, these were not built under the patronage of any dynasty or kings but are a result of the efforts of the wealthy businessmen who followed Jainism. Amreli Located about 120 km from Diu in Gujarat's Kathiawar peninsula, Amreli is a bustling town famed for its ancient temples, rich cultural and architectural heritage. The most popular attraction in Amreli is the much revered Nagnath Temple, which dates back to the 17th century. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the temple is one of the most historically significant sites of Amreli. The inscriptions on the walls of the temple speak volumes about the history of the region and also suggest that it was once known as Amarpalli. The temple is visited by scores of devotees during festivals like Naag Panchami and Shivaratri. Amreli is also home to Gujarat's biggest dam, the Khodiyar Dam that has been built across the Shetrunji river. It is a must-visit destination that draws visitors for the spectacular views of gushing waters. The best time to visit the Khodiyar Dam is during the monsoon season. There's also a famous temple near the dam that is visited by devotees throughout the year. Dedicated to Goddess Khodiyar Ma, the Khodiyar Temple lies in Dhari Town, 5 km from Amreli. The Bhurikhiya Hanuman Temple, dedicated to Lord Hanuman, is another famous temple in Amreli. Tourists can also head to the famous Trimbaknath and Kamnath temples. The Kamnath Mahadev Temple has a pond named Dudhiyu Talav and a stepped octagonal bathing pool known as Mahadev-no-kund. Amreli is also home to the Pania Wildlife Sanctuary, which is spread over an area of 39.63 sq km. Famously known as Chanchai-Pania, the sanctuary is a part of the Gir Wildlife Sanctuary and serves as a home for the Indian gazelle or chinkara. Tourists can also spot lions and leopards, which often wander here from Gir. Diu Fort Poised on the western coast of the country, the Diu Fort lies at the mouth of the Gulf of Khambhat. A colossal structure built by the Portuguese in 1535, it is an enchanting sight that gives a magnificent view of the sea. The parapet of the fort is lined with cannons that were earlier employed in the defence of the fort. It is also home to three beautiful churches: St Thomas Church, St Paul's Church and Church of St Francis of Assisi. Tourists can also visit the Venetian-Gothic style bungalow that lies in the vicinity. A Shiva temple that is dedicated to Gangeshwar Mahadev also makes for an interesting visit. Another attraction is a lighthouse from where tourists can get a bird's eye view of the entire area. The fort was built for defense purposes when Mughal emperor Humayun had lead a war to annex the territory. Today, the fort stands drenched in the old world charm and the rich historic past of the Portuguese rulers. Diu Museum Set up in a building that was formerly the St Thomas Church, the Diu Museum is an apt representation of the cultural heritage and rich history of the Union Territory. The grand white-walled museum houses a wide collection of intricate wooden carvings, stone inscriptions, shadow clocks, antique statues and much more. The church building is believed to have been built in the 15th century and houses religious artefacts including wooden statues of St Thomas and St Paul. Tourists need not pay any entry fees for the museum but it should be noted that one is allowed to spend only 30 minutes inside the museum. The museum is located on the road that connects the Diu fort to the Jallandhar Beach. Fortress Of Panikota Located in the middle of the sea, at the mouth of a creek , the Fortress of Panikota is also known as Fortim-do-Mar. Visiting the fort is a fascinating experience and must be included in your to-do list. The fortress once served as a jail and can be reached either by a boat or a canoe. The fort is a formidable stone structure, built during the Muslim domain by Malik Aiyaz. In the past, it was used as an entry post to control the movement of merchant ships entering Diu for trading the rich Asian merchandise, especially Indian spices. Tourists should not miss the age-old lighthouse and small chapel that are both located in the fort premises. This fortress is located inside the Diu Fort. Jallandhar Shrine And Beach One of the most popular beaches of Diu, the rocky Jallandhar Beach offers splendid views of the sea along with some really good beach dining options for tourists. A stones throw from the beach lies the famous shrine of Jallandhar, a mythological demon who is said to have been killed by Lord Krishna. Situated on a small hill near the beach, the popular Jallandhar shrine has a dome that contains a niche wherein the stone-carved face of the mythological demon king is seen here. According to Hindu mythology, the demon Jallandhar was beheaded by Lord Krishna in Diu. Tourists can also visit the nearby temple dedicated to Goddess Chandrika. A visit to the beach and shrine makes for a perfect family outing. Jetpur Located at a distance of 120 km from Diu, the town of Jetpur in Gujarat's Rajkot district, is famed for its beautiful handicrafts that employ block printing and dyeing techniques. A great place to shop for textiles, Jetpur delights tourists with its rich heritage. You can buy exquisite cotton sarees here that are dyed and printed in gorgeous patterns. During a visit to Jetpur, tourists can also visit the famous Shree Swaminarayan Temple. Another popular attraction is the Khambhalida Buddhist Caves that date back to the 4th and 5th centuries. A set of three caves of which the central is a chaitya with a worn-out stupa, these boast interesting rock formations. The town of Jetpur is situated on the banks of Bhadar river and can be easily reached from Diu and Rajkot.
© Bonjour Media. All Rights Reserved.
