Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu travel guide

Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu in India (Photo: NordNordWest, CC BY-SA 3.0 de)

Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu (Gujarati: દાદરા અને નગર હવેલી અને દમણ અને દીવ Dādra Ane Nagar Havelī Ane Damaṇ Ane Dīv) is a small union territory in Western India.

Regions

Map of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu (Photo: User:Fenn-O-maniC, CC BY-SA 2.0)

It consists of four enclaves that once came under Portuguese rule:

• Dadra — a landlocked enclave within Gujarat
• Nagar Haveli — wedged between Gujarat and Maharashtra
• Daman — a semi-enclave on the mouth of the Daman Ganga River bounded on all sides by Gujarat
• Diu — a small island off the coast of Gujarat

Cities

• Daman — Capital and the largest city of the union territory. It has a beautiful landscape, and is famous for its beaches along the Konkan coast. It may not have all the facilities that a tourist destination should have but it does have peace, relaxation, friendly locals and beautiful places to see.
• Dadra — a town and an enclave within Gujarat, known for the Vanganga Garden.
• Diu — A fishing town noted for its old fortress, Portuguese cathedral, and nice old town with a Portuguese layout. It has fine but not so spectacular beaches, and has a very relaxed atmosphere compared to most of India. Diu has many beaches which one may choose as per their tastes.
• Silvassa — A major hub for industry.

Other destinations

• Rural Nagar Haveli — Home to Dudhani Lake and an antelope park
• Simbor — An unincorporated area with fishing communities

Understand

Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu is a union territory spread across the states of Gujarat and Maharashtra. Dadra is a landlocked enclave within Gujarat, and Nagar Haveli is wedged between Gujarat and Maharashtra. Daman has a coastline to the Arabian Sea, and Diu is an island off Saurashtra.

The entire territory is over 600 km (370 mi) in size, covered with tall trees, winding rivers and the pleasant beaches. The hospitable, kind and unselfish tribes have their own customs, dances and rituals which are quite fascinating. The territory enjoys a very pleasant climate from November to March, which is actually the best time for a visit. Temperatures during summer are comfortable too, even during the day, due to the territory's proximity to the sea.

History

Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu was under Portuguese colonial rule until 1954. Between 1954 and 1961, Dadra and Nagar Haveli was self-governing; it became a union territory in 1961.

The semi-enclaves of Daman and Diu were governed with Goa as a single union territory from 1961 to 1987, when Goa became a separate state. In 2020, they were merged with Dadra and Nagar Haveli as a single union territory.

Talk

The official languages of this union territory are Gujarati and Hindi. Most residents understand either of the two languages. Besides, Marathi and Konkani are spoken locally.

Due to the unique colonial history, some residents might still speak Portuguese, or at least the Portuguese-based creole.

Get in

By plane

Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu has two domestic airports: Namo Airport (NMBIATA) in Daman, and Diu Airport (DIUIATA). Diu has flights from Ahmedabad, Goa, Junagadh, Mumbai and Surat, whereas Daman has only one flight from Delhi.

By train

The nearest railway stations of Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu include Una and Vapi, both in Gujarat. The union territory doesn't have any railway station of its own.

By road

Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu can be accessed through three national highways: NH 251, NH 848A and NH 848B. NH 251 traverses through the island of Diu, NH 848A traverses through the enclave of Nagar Haveli and NH 848B ends at the city of Daman.

Get around

By train

Due to the lack of railway stations among the enclaves and semi-enclaves, one can train travel from Daman or Dadra and Nagar Haveli to Diu through the nearby railway stations situated in Gujarat.

By road

There are taxis and auto-rickshaws available to roam around in the union territory.

See

Churches

The St. Paul's Church in Diu (Photo: Shakti, CC BY-SA 3.0)

Thanks to the Portuguese rule of this territory, there are several churches in Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, including the Church of Bom Jesus in Daman and the St. Paul's Church in Diu. The Church of Bom Jesus has decorated ceilings and carved gateways. The St. Paul's Church is named after St. Paul, the Apostle of Jesus also known as the Apostle to the Gentiles.

Temples

Jain Temple in Daman (Photo: Rachna 13, CC BY-SA 3.0)

Beside churches, there are several temples in Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, including the Balaji Mandir in Silvassa, Gangeshwar Temple in Diu and the Jain Temple in Daman.

Eat

Both native Gujarati food and traditional Portuguese food are common. Being a coastal region, the communities are mainly dependent on sea food. Normally, Rotli and tea are taken for breakfast, Rotla and sag for lunch and chokha along with sag and curry are taken for dinner. Some of the dishes prepared on festive occasions include, puri, lapsee, potaya, dudh-plag, dhakanu.

Drink

Alcohol is legal in Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu, unlike in neighbouring Gujarat, so a lot of people come to this union territory especially to drink. Indian and foreign beer and spirits are widely available. You might find beer being sold even at the beach by hawkers. It is better to purchase your liquor from a shop to avoid adulterated liquor.

Go next

• North Konkan
• South Gujarat

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