Nicobar Islands: an island of unexplored wonder
Nicobar Island is one of the few least explored tourist destinations in India. One of the most popular tourist destinations in India where you can enjoy and relax without the usual crowds and traffic jams inherent in most destinations in India.
About NICOBAR:
History
‘Nicobar’ Islands gets its name from a Tamil word ‘Nakkavaram’ Referring to a naked man, the use of this word dates back to the rule of the Chola dynasty. In 1789, the British were the first to discover the Andman and Nicobar Islands. The British government used Ross Island as the capital of the Andman and Nicobar Islands, however after independence the Indian government moved it to Port Blair.
Geography
The total area of the land is 1,841 km2. Nicobar Island includes 22 islets. The 22 islets are grouped together to form three groups: northern group (it has 2 islets), central group (a formation of 9 islets) and southern group (includes 11 islets, including the largest “Great Nicobar”).
Climate
The climate of the Nicobar Islands is tropical and humid, where humidity levels can vary between 70% and 90%. Although the weather is pleasant mainly here with a pleasant temperature range, that is, 23 ° C to 30 ° C, you still feel the chill of the gentle breeze that blows all the time. The ideal time to visit Nicobar Island is between October and May, however, you may also consider visiting it between June and September to enjoy the monsoon of this enchanting and splendid island.
Language and religion
A large population (i.e. 15%) of a rarely populated Nicobar island speaks Hindi, while the remaining 85% speak other languages. English is the official language. There are 24 different languages spoken by people on this amazing island like Tamil, Malayalam, Urdu, Karen, Konkani, Manipuri, Bengali, Telugu, Gujarati, Kannada, Assamese, Rajasthani, English, Punjabi, Nicobari, Tulu, Burmese, Barsi, Sindhi , Dokri, Munda, Marwari, Nepali and Oriya. You can find people of all religions and with different spoken languages staying together in complete peace and harmony. This amazing ethnic and cultural mix is often referred to as Mini-India.
Tribes
The original inhabitants of the Nicobar Islands belong to two different Mongoloid tribes, namely the Nicobarese and the Shompens, and they still earn their living hunting and fishing in the dense Nicobar forest.
Festivals
· Island Tourism Festival: Every year, this fifteen-day festival is organized by the ANI Administration from December to January. Includes an exhibition, cultural programs, contests and more.
· Subash Mela: Netaji Subash Chandra Bose’s birthday is observed as a week-long festival every year in Havelock during the month of January.
· Vivekananda Mela: Niel Island organizes a festival on the occasion of the anniversary of Swami Vivekananda’s birth every year in January.
· Block Mela: It takes place in Diglipur every year in the months of January and February.
· Others: Durga Puja, Panguni Utharam and Mari Amman festivals.
Tourist spots
Chatham Saw Mill – One of the largest British-built sawmills in Asia.
Naval Navy Museum – Located in Hadoo and established in Samudrika.
· Anthropological Museum in Phoenix Bay.
Cellular jail at the Atlanta point.
· Fisherman’s Museum on Aberdeen Pier.
· Water sports complex on Aberdeen Pier.
Corbyn’s Cove Beach, Wandoor Beach, Aam-Kunj Beach
Mahatma Gandhi marine national park
Islands like Cinque, Havelock Island, Viper Island, Chidiyatapu, North Bay, Red Skin Island, Ross Island, Little Andaman and Diglipur (Ross and Smith), (Birdwatching), Neil Island,
For your interest, the ANI territory consists of a Biosphere Reserve, around 96 Wildlife Sanctuaries and nine National Parks.
How to get to Nicobar?
· By air: Port Blair is connected to Chennai and Kolkata, with a minimum travel time of 2 hours. Currently, the flights are operated by Indian Airlines (Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday only) and Jet Airways (roundtrip from Chennai daily). Jet Airways airline ticket for Chennai – Port Blair route can cost you 7,820 rupees, while on Indian Airlines it can cost around 7,790 rupees. The Indian Airlines flight fare for Kolkata – Port Blair is Rs. 8,435.
· By sea: Regular passenger boat services are accessible to Port Blair.
Chennai-Port Blair Distance = 1190 kms Time = 60 hrs.
Calcutta-Port Blair Distance = 1255 kms Time = 66 hrs.
Vishakhapatnam-a-Port Blair Distance = 1200 kms Time = 56 hrs.
Ships traveling between Chennai and Port Blair: MV Nancowry and MV Swarajdeep
Rates details:
– Deluxe class cabin: INR 5240
– First Class or Class A Cabin: INR 4320
– Second Class or Class B Cabin: INR 3,420
– Ordinary or bunk class: 1330 INR.
To reveal the mysteries and impressive splendors, hidden in the heart of Nicobar; You must have special permission from the government or else it will be heartbreaking for those who don’t.