Discover Andamans
The Andaman & Nicobar group of islands are a group of scenic
islands nestled in the eastern part of Bay of Bengal. Altogether there
are some 572 islands, tiny islets and rocks - some inhabited and some
not -all with rolling terrain, with ridges and spurs all over with
subterranean inlets and creeks due to underwater gorges.
Forming a long and disjointed chain of islands in an arc formation
they are about 800 km long. Coral reefs are abundant and encircle the
islands all over.
Because of the available geological data, it is presumed that these
islands could have been connected to Burma and Sumatra. The Cape Negris
is supposed to have been connected to South part of Burma to Achin Head
(Cape Pedro) in Andalas (Sumatra).
But ecologically the flora and fauna of Andaman & Nicobar group
of islands do not show any proof that there is any land connection
between Burma and Sumatra.The Andaman & Nicobar Islands are in the
Torrid Zone. Thick tropical forest covers some 86% of the entire area. Experience a holiday like never before, rejuvenate in tranquil beaches
and discover the Emerald Islands with The Amazing Andaman (Unit of United Tours & Travels)
History
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The history of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands lies shrouded in mystery and legend.Apart from brief interludes where the Cholas and Marathas used parts
of the Andaman and Nicobar as a base, sporadic exploratory missions by
European naval powers and fleeting references from travellers such as
Marco Polo, the history of the Andaman Islands is that of the aboriginal
inhabitants, some of whom still remain in varying degrees of solitude.
The more recent history of the Andamans starts with the establishment
of British bases and a penal colony in the 18th century. The
construction of the infamous Cellular Jail “"Kalapani" or "Black Waters"
(Parents often warned their truant children that they would be sent to
Kalapani if they did not behave) was completed in 1908 at the cost of
Rs. 500,000. Every brick used in its construction was brought in from
Burma and the prisoners themselves were made the laborers.
Numerous anti-British Indians were tortured to death and executed here. During the British occupation, Islands were named after Generals who fought during the great Indian Mutiny of 1857, and till date these Islands retain those very same English names. Several Islands including Port Blair, Havelock, John Lawrence, Henry Lawrence, Duncan Island, Nicholson Island and many more can be sited as examples of this.
With the Second World War, Japanese troops occupied the islands and the local tribes initiated guerrilla activities to drive them out. Under Japanese occupation, several bunkers were built all around these Island, many of which are still standing.
The Japanese viewed local islanders as spies and many of them lost their lives as a result. Interestingly, when Netaji Subash Chandra Bose (one of the most influential leaders in the Indian independence movement) visited these Islands as an ally to the Japanese and he was made to visit Cellular Jail but was consciously prevented from visiting the section where locals were jailed on charges of spying.
On 29th December 1943, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose hoisted the flag of independent India on the island. He also established the first independent government here. Netaji renamed these islands as 'Swaraj' (Self-rule) and 'Shaheed' (Martyr). General Loganathan of the Indian National Army was appointed as the Governor of Andaman & Nicobar Islands. The headquarters of the Civil Administration was set up on 21st March, 1944 near the Gurudwara at Aberdeen Bazaar.
When India achieved independence in 1947, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands were incorporated into the Indian Union.
Numerous anti-British Indians were tortured to death and executed here. During the British occupation, Islands were named after Generals who fought during the great Indian Mutiny of 1857, and till date these Islands retain those very same English names. Several Islands including Port Blair, Havelock, John Lawrence, Henry Lawrence, Duncan Island, Nicholson Island and many more can be sited as examples of this.
With the Second World War, Japanese troops occupied the islands and the local tribes initiated guerrilla activities to drive them out. Under Japanese occupation, several bunkers were built all around these Island, many of which are still standing.
The Japanese viewed local islanders as spies and many of them lost their lives as a result. Interestingly, when Netaji Subash Chandra Bose (one of the most influential leaders in the Indian independence movement) visited these Islands as an ally to the Japanese and he was made to visit Cellular Jail but was consciously prevented from visiting the section where locals were jailed on charges of spying.
On 29th December 1943, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose hoisted the flag of independent India on the island. He also established the first independent government here. Netaji renamed these islands as 'Swaraj' (Self-rule) and 'Shaheed' (Martyr). General Loganathan of the Indian National Army was appointed as the Governor of Andaman & Nicobar Islands. The headquarters of the Civil Administration was set up on 21st March, 1944 near the Gurudwara at Aberdeen Bazaar.
When India achieved independence in 1947, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands were incorporated into the Indian Union.
How to reach
Welcome to India’s best preserved secret - The Andaman Islands.
Located in the Bay of Bengal and measuring 700 kms from North to South is a sprinkling of 572 alluring Islands of which only 36 are inhabited. Part of the Indian Sub- Continent and known as the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, these undulating isles hold a rustic and ethereal charm that remains unfazed by time.
After years of isolation, the Government has in the past decade or so begun to allow environmentally conscious tourism in the Andamans. However the Nicobar Islands remain inaccessible and tourists (both Indians & Foreign nationals) are strictly not allowed to visit this group of Islands.
Due to the government's strict controls and presence of a vigilant defence force, the added stigma of a former 'penal colony', and the untiring efforts of environmentalists, the Andamans still remain breathtakingly pristine and beautiful till date.
Tropical rainforest offer an extravaganza of rare and endemic species of flora and fauna. Four out of five species of sea turtles, including the giant leatherback are found in the Andamans. Wild 'salties' (saltwater crocodiles) inhabit vast mangrove eco-systems keeping nature in balance.
Don those tanks of air, snap on that mask - below the surface is probably the final undiscovered frontier for scuba diving in South East Asia.
If you are looking for that perfect getaway, where you can relax and rejuvenate in nature’s lap, watch time come to a complete standstill and hear the sounds of silence, its time to be hypnotised by the Andaman Islands.
How do you get to the Andamans?
Visiting the Emerald Isles is possible both by air and by sea. With
the advent of low cost carriers, airline prices to the capital city of
Port Blair have reduced considerably and most travellers now choose to
fly here. Some budget travellers however still do take the regular ships
that sail to the islands.
By Air:
To get to the Andaman Islands, Foreign Nationals will first need to
fly to India. There are currently no direct flights from Thailand
although private charters can be organised. The best points of entry
would be Chennai or Kolkata as these are the only two cities from where
there are daily direct flights to the islands. All flights arrive at the
Veer Savarkar Airport in the capital city of Port Blair. After years of
isolation, the Government has in the past decade or so begun to allow
environmentally conscious tourism in the Andamans. However the Nicobar
Islands remain inaccessible and tourists (both Indians & Foreign
nationals) are strictly not allowed to visit this group of Islands.
Websites for airlines
- Spice Jet- www.spicejet.com
- Jet Airways - www.jetairways.com
- Air India - www.airindia.in
- Go Air - www.goair.in
By Sea:
Ships to Port Blair also ply on fixed schedules from Chennai,
Kolkata, and Visakhapatnam. However, tickets must be purchased well in
advance and the journey (3 days) can be monotonous as the ships have
minimal facilities and are not luxurious at all.
For those with no constraint on time and a strong stomach, a ship
voyage can be interesting (and inexpensive) as you get to meet with both
Andaman islanders as well as mainland Indian travelers.
For further information and current shipping schedule and fares, please visit:
http://www.and.nic.in/dss/sailing.htmhttp://www.and.nic.in/spsch/ship_fare.htm
http://www.and.nic.in/dss/sailing.htmhttp://www.and.nic.in/spsch/ship_fare.htm
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ReplyDeletePort Blair is the capital of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands and is the only place in Andaman and Nicobar where you can get the currency exchanges.
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