Diu

Location :

Diu is an Island city, district and a part on union territory. Diu is located in the southern region of Saurashtra. Saurashtra region is the western part of Gujarat state in India. Diu is separated from the mainland Gujarat by a tidal creek. With 3 beautiful beaches around it, Diu is not a part of Gujarat. Diu is administrated by the central government. It has an area of 40 square kilometers.

History :

The documented history of the District of Diu begins with the Maurya rule (c. 322-220 B.C.). Emperor Chandragupta Maurya had extended his supremacy over Saurashtra and had appointed Pushagupta as Governor of the province of Saurashtra with the Head-quarters in village Girnar near Junagadh. Yavanraj Tushappa ruled over Saurashtra as Governer of Emperor Ashoka (c.273-237 B.C.). Emperor Ashoka had sent Yavana Thero named Dhammarakhito as evangelist to the western sea board including Diu. His grandson Samprati (c. 229-220 B.C.) seems to have ruled over Saurashtra from Ujjain. He propagated Jainism and erected many Jain Temples. The Jain traditions from Diu seems to belong to this period.

      The District seems to be under the rule of Indo-Greek kings Eukratides (c. 171-150 B.C.), Meanandar (C. 115-90 B.C.) and Appollodotes II of the 1st Century B.C. to about A.D. 50. During 1st Century, the district seems to have been ruled by Kshaharatas who had established their rule over western part of India including Saurashtra. For more than the next thousand years, Diu formed part of the kingdoms of dynasties that ruled over the westrn India including Gujarat. The last king of the Vaja dynasty ruler of Somnath Patan ruled over Diu in the first decade of the fifteenth century. Thereafter, Diu came under the control of the Muslims Sultans of Gujarat who seen to have ruled Diu for the next one and a half centuries.

      Early in 1535, the Portuguese Governor De Cunha had led his expedition for the capture of the town in Diu, but was defeated by the Sultan. However, around that period, the Gujarat Sultan Bahadur Shah's kingdom was overwhelmed by Mughal invasion. Pressed by Mughal king Humayun on one side and the Portuguese at the gates of Diu, Bahadur Shah entered into a treaty with Nuno da Cunha on October 25, 1535 who agreed to assist Bahadur Shah against his enemy by land and sea. In turn he received permission to construct a fortress at Diu and a site was granted for this purpose in the harbour. After the Mughal danger was receded, te Shah of Gujarat realised his mistake in allowing the Portuguese to construct the fort. Finally Diu was conquered by the Portuguese in 1546 who ruled there till 1961.

      The Union Territory was liberated along with Goa on 19th December, 1961 after five centuries Portuguese Colonial Rule. On 30th May, 1987, Daman and Diu were de-lined from Goa which attained statehood there by forming these land blocks into a separate Union Territory under the Govt. of India.

source- diu tourism

How to Reach :

Air -

Jet Airways operates daily flights from Mumbai to Diu (except Saturday)

Train -

Nearest railway station is Veraval about 90 kms. It is provide an onward connection to Ahmedabad, Mumbai and other cities.

Road -

Gujarat State Transport Buses and Private Luxury Coaches are available in plenty from Mumbai, Baroda, Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Jamnagar, Bhavnagar, Junagadh, Veraval etc.

Places to See :

Because of sunny beaches and beautiful sunset, Diu attracts a lot of tourists. Nagoa beach, Chakrateerth beach and Ghoghla beach are 3 best beaches in Diu. There are 3 churches and a Shiv Temple. A seashell museum, bird watch tower, Diu fort, fortim-do-mar (Pani kotha), the caves of Nayda are main attractions of Diu. Tourism is the heart of Diu.

Nagoa beach:

 is a horseshoe shaped beach with various water sports facilities. A perfect and safe beach to swim and rest in the sunny weather. Napping under palm trees in cool breeze makes the experience memorable.

Ghoghla beach:

is the largest and gentlest beach of Diu. You can do swimming, sunbathing, parasailing, surfing etc.

Chakrateerth beach:

although no watersports and other activities are available, you can love the sandy beach. It has a beautiful sunset point and a memorial of Indian battleship INS Khukri which was destroyed by Pakistan in the 1971 war (It was the only Indian ship destroyed by Pakistan in the battle)

Gangeshwar Mahadev:

Gangeshwar Mahadev is 3 kilometers from the Jethibai Bus Terminus of Diu. This beautiful and sacred place has 5 shiv-lingams. The Shiv-lingam gets an abhishek by the ocean when it is on high tide. The legend is that the Pandavas worshipped load Shiva here during their exile.

St.Paul's Church:

St.Paul is a beautiful church dedicated to Virgin Mary. Built in 1610. It is perhaps one of the most elaborated Portuguese churches in India. The architecture style is lot like the churches of Goa. It is known for one of the best craftsmanship on the wood. St.Paul church would attract those seeking peace and god.

St.Francis Church:

This church was built in 1593. It is still a place to worship. However, the cloister is used as a hospital.

St.Thomas Church:

It was built in Gothic style in 1598. Been converted into a museum, it has stone carving from earlier rulers, wooding carving, idols and antique statues. It looks beautiful in the evening when multicolored fountains and special lighting decorates the building.

Fortim-do-mar (Pani kotha) :

A stone structure (a fort) built between the sea. Approximately a nautical mile from the mainland Diu. It also has a lighthouse and a place dedicated to the lady of the sea. Tourist boats are available to reach the Pani kotha.

Sea Shell museum:

A unique and amazing museum for lovers of ocean life. Sea shells and several interesting sea creatures are displayed under the magnifying glass. There are approximately 2500 seashells in the museum.

Diu Fort: 

 Among all the places, the Diu fort has a prominent position in the places of tourist interest. It is a huge and impressive structure. It was constructed between 1535 and 1541 by the Portuguese, the fort has gorgeous view of the sea and Panikotha. You feel the history and battle fought by gallant soldiers.

INS Khukri Memorial:

It was inaugurated on 15th December, 1999 in memory of the heroic sailors and officer who chose not to stop fighting and leave ship until it completely sank. INS Khukri was a frigate of the Indian navy. In the war of 1971 three torpedoes shot by Pakistani navy sank it. It sank 40 nautical miles from Diu taking down 8 officers and 186 sailors. Except having a chance to save his life, captain Mahendra Nath Mulla (Mahavir Chakra winner) chose to go down with the warship. An example of spirit and courage of Indian navy officers. It was the one and the only ship destroyed by the Pakistani navy. Indian navy finished the whole Pakistani navy and the port of Karachi in just 48 hours.

Naida Caves

The caves near Naida Village. It consist 11 caves.Naida caves, Diu are located outside the city wall of the Diu Fort, which was constructed by the Portuguese. The caves feature a big network of tunnels with square hewn steps, which is yet to be fully explored. It is believed that the Portuguese during their reign hacked building materials from these caves. You can reach Naida caves in Diu through Delwada which is the nearest railway station. The place is also well connected by road. Indianholiday.com provides all the requisite inputs on the tourist attractions in Diu.

Naida caves in Diu are within a short distance from the Diu town. Diu’s greatest glory is the huge fort, a sight that justifies the long trip here. The northern side of the island, facing Gujarat, is tidal marshland and saltpans while the southern coast alternates between limestone cliffs, rocky covers and sandy beaches. Diu Naida caves have a natural opening in the ground extending beyond the zone of light. Caves are formed as a result of different geological processes. Caves vary in shapes and sizes. Speleology is the scientific study of caves. The science incorporates the study of geology, archeology and biology and thus ranks in special interest for earth scientists of the U.S Geological Survey.

Naida Caves, Diu have been reckoned among the one of the magnificent natural attractions since prehistoric times. Productive evidence of early man’s interest has been discovered in caves dotted throughout the world.