Dadra and Nagar
Dadra and Nagar Haveli is a Union Territory in western India. Nagar Haveli is wedged between Maharashtra and Gujarat, whereas Dadra is an enclave lying a few kilometres north of Nagar Haveli in Gujarat. Its capital is Silvassa. The territory lies some ten to thirty kilometres up-river from the city of Daman.
Dadra and Nagar Haveli now with capital city Silvassa, in Western India, was ruled by the Marathas till 1779. The 72 villages it comprises were offered to the Portuguese following a friendship treaty. Portuguese rule over the Union Territory lasted until August 2, 1954, and traces of it can still be found.
In 1961, Dadra and Nagar Haveli became a part of India and since then, it has been administered as a Union Territory, with Silvassa as its' capital.
The Union Territory is dotted with ruins from its glorious past. One of Dadra and Nagar Haveli's major tourist attractions is in Silvassa - the Church of Our Lady of Piety (built in 1889 and still standing strong). The Bindrabin temple, also at Silvassa, is another famous tourist attraction.
Location - Western side of the foothills of the Western Ghats
Area - 491 sq km
Population - 2,20,451 (Census 2001). Tribes constitute over 62% of the total population.
Major tribes are Dhodia, Kokna, Varli.
Capital - Silvassa
Forest & Tree Cover - About 53% of the geographical area (40% is designated as "reserved cover").
Languages - Gujarati, Marathi, Portugese, Hindi, Bhili
Climate: Summer (March to June) - Warm, 24° to 38°C
Monsoon (July to August) - Warm, Annual Rainfall, 2,000 to 2,500 mm
Winter (November to February) - Cool, 11° to 22°C
Best time to visit - November to March
Major Attractions - Forests, wildlife, gardens, tribal culture, heritage
Location - Western side of the foothills of the Western Ghats
Area - 491 sq km
Population - 2,20,451 (Census 2001). Tribes constitute over 62% of the total population.
Major tribes are Dhodia, Kokna, Varli.
Capital - Silvassa
Forest & Tree Cover - About 53% of the geographical area (40% is designated as "reserved cover").
Languages - Gujarati, Marathi, Portugese, Hindi, Bhili
Climate - Summer (March to June) - Warm, 24° to 38°C
Monsoon (July to August) - Warm, Annual Rainfall, 2,000 to 2,500 mm
Winter (November to February) - Cool, 11° to 22°C
Best time to visit - November to March
Major Attractions - Forests, wildlife, gardens, tribal culture, heritage
LOCATION
Lush green forests, meandering rivers, large waterfronts, cascading waterfalls, the gentle gurgle of streams, the distant hills, a gorgeous kaleidoscope of flora and fauna.yes, it is the serene and sylvan land of Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Nature at her best. Sandwiched between the states of Gujarat and Maharashtra, it is located in the western corner of India . As a union territory, it is quite small, confined as it is to an area less than 500 sq. km, covered with tall, awesome trees and winding rivers.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
Dadra and Nagar Haveli enjoys a pleasant climate from November to March. Even the summer temperature is not very high. Due to its proximity to the sea, the nights are pleasant.
HISTORY
This quiet, magical land of 72 villages has a chequered history. For a century and half, the fiery Portuguese were the masters of the land. The Indian nationalist volunteers liberated Dadra and Nagar Haveli in July 1954 and a pro-India administration was formed. Under the 10th Amendment to the Constitution, the territories of Dadra and Nagar Haveli became a centrally administered union territory with effect from August 11, 1961.
HOW TO REACH
BY RAIL - The nearest railhead is Vapi at a distance of 17 km from the capital city. Silvassa is about 180 km from Mumbai and 120 km from Surat via the Mumbai-Ahmedabad National Highway 8.
WHERE TO STAY
One can stay in rustic, well-appointed cottages with all modern comforts or in specially laid out riverside tents. The tourists may enjoy the delicacies of local cuisine in a variety of restaurants and hotels.
FAIRS & FESTIVALS
Silvassa and the rest of Dadra & Nagar Haveli celebrate all pan-Indian festivals - Ganesh Chaturthi, Navaratri (nine nights of music and dance), Pateti (Parsi New Year), Id-E-Milad, Nariyeli Poornima, Makar Sankranti (Kite Festival), Christmas and New Year.
Traditional and distinct are the tribal festivals of Silvassa or Dadra and Nagar Haveli. These mark a change in season and are a mix of social and cultural panorama.
- The Varlis and Koknas celebrate Diwali as Barash and do not eat home grown beans till then
- Akha Tij is an all-women festival of the Kokna tribe
- Divaso and Baleo (Raksha Bandhan) are popular among the Dhodias
- Holi is celebrated by all tribes and a large, week-long village fair is held at 'Lawachha' during the festival that makes for pretty sights throughout the Union Territory , especially in Silvassa
The good spirits of Goddess Kali are invoked in all villages in Silvassa and through Dadra and Nagar Haveli before and after harvesting of crops
PLACES TO VISIT
Silvassa
Silvassa, the capital of Dadra & Nagar Haveli, is a sylvan paradise that derives the name "Silvassa" from the Portuguese word "silva", which means wood. Silvassa is a place of spectacular beauty - it is surrounded by nature and there is a rare purity in the air of Silvassa. For lovers of history, travel to Silvassa to see the century-old church of Our Lady of Piety and the ruins of the Tadkeshwar Mahadev Temple at Bindrabin. The Tribal Museum , in Silvassa, gives a realistic feel of local culture through a collection of masks, musical instruments, traditional jewelry and hunting tools ... and you can even shop for souvenirs like Warli paintings, bamboo crafts and palm leaf mats handmade by the tribals. At Hirwa Van Garden (named after a tribal deity) at Piparia, nature has been allowed to find its own course . the sprawling park is full of roaring waterfalls, sweeping flower fields and cosy niches.
Dadra
The Vanganga Lake and Island Garden Dadra, is a 5 km travel from Silvassa, and is a lush green garden with quaint wooden bridges, thatched huts, paddle boats and jogging paths. It is a sought-after location for Bollywood, to film song sequences. It has ticketed entry.
Dudhni
Dudhni, located 40 kms from Silvassa and 20 kms from Khanvel, is an aquaserene tourist resort, and ideal to explore water sports. It has a large water front of the Damanganga River with a variety of water sports equipment, like jet skis, speed boats and shikaras. The accommodation in cottages is a sought after retreat for city dwellers. The restaurant serves delicious sea food, as is in restaurants of Silvassa.
Luhari
Luhari, 14 km from Silvassa, is for visitors looking for an absolutely relaxed break close to Mother Nature. The resorts here have machan style cottages close to forested areas. For the adventurous, trekking trails and camps are organised in the surrounding woods and wildlife sanctuary - very close to Silvassa.
Khanvel
Khanvel, 20 km south of Silvassa, is surrounded by lush green hills. The river Sakartod flows by, and in the forests you can spot flying foxes, fruit bats, flycatchers and barbets. The drive from Silvassa to Khanvel is a pleasant one, passing majestic trees and tribal villages.
You can get all your tourist information at Silvassa or the tourism department for Dadra and Nagar Haveli or Silvassa.
The Vanvihar Tourist Complex at Chauda offers every facility needed to convert the laziest person into a lover of the great outdoors. The complex has native style cottages, a cactus house and a deer park .
Satmalia
On the way to Khanvel, Satmalia has a wildlife sanctuary with many species of antelope. Many other animals - including sambhar and chital deer, and black bucks - and a wide variety of birds - including the flameback woodpecker, peacocks, and thrushes - can be spotted. The machan (watch tower) near the water hole provides an incredibly panoramic view of the sanctuary and Madhuban Dam.
Vasona
The famous Lion Safari at Vasona, spread over 20 hectares, is a huge attraction. Visitors are driven in vans that are fitted with net mesh screens to admire the lions in their natural habitat.
Kauncha
Kauncha, 40 km south of Silvassa, is a tranquil place with tile roofed cottages. Trekkers love it. pitching a tent on the bank of the Madhuban Dam and gazing at the stars is the perfect way to end a day of adventure. Jet skies, rowing boats, kayaks and canoes are available for those who like water sports.
The Himai Van Health Resort issurrounded by tribal villages at the foothills of the Western Ghats.
For further tourist information contact the tourism department of Silvassa or Dadra and Nagar Haveli. They will provide you with a travel guide for all your travel needs in Silvassa and throughout the Union Territory. You can also get information about hotels, places to visit, tourist complexes, holiday themes or tours in Silvassa and also through Dadra and Nagar Haveli.
TOURISTS ATTRACTIONS
The Tribal Cultural Museum at Silvassa is an ideal place for those who are too lazy to do some actual exploring. It houses a good collection of masks, musical apparatus, fishing gadgets and life-size statues.
Khanvel is situated at a distance of 20 km from Silvassa. The drive to Khanvel is lined with tall trees on both sides of the road. This serene landscape, surrounded by lush green hills, beckons nature lovers with its rolling meadows and native-styled cottages amidst terraced gardens. The calm and gentle Sakartod River flows past Khanvel.
The Vanganga Lake and Island Garden is a beautiful lake garden situated at a distance of 5 km from the capital city of Silvassa . The rustic wooden bridges, the flowers, jogging paths, thatched huts, and paddleboats-all constitute an ideal ambiance for the honeymooners.
A 20-km drive from Khanvel is Dudhni where the large waterfront of river Damanganga provides breathtaking view of the water spread over Madhuban Dam. The luxurious tents pitched right near the bank provide a countryside experience. Tourists may also cook their own meals near the camp.
On Silvassa-Dadra Road is Hirwa Van, a beautiful garden with roaring waterfalls, misty cascades, rustic stonewalls, twin arches, tiny kiosks and springy lawns interspersed with islands of flowers-truly a visitors delight.
Vandhara Udyan at Silvassa is a riverside park with sprawling lawns dotted with exquisite pavilions, an ideal site for picnic buffs.
There is also a Mini Zoo and Bal Udyan at Silvassa. The colorful birds, mischievous monkeys, awesome pythons and sleepy crocodiles coupled with swings, slides and merry-go-rounds render this site every kid's dream come true.
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