Diu

Diu is a beautiful blend of sun, sand and sea. It is an island retreat gently rocked by the wind and the wave from the Arabian Sea. It offers you undisturbed peace and an unusual holiday.
   
Diu a former Portuguese enclave, and now a Union Territory is steeped in history. It was a sea-port and naval base of considerable strategic importance from the 14th-16th centuries. It has also been a vital trade link with the rest of India for traders overseas. Diu was under the sway of Chanda and Vaghela dynasties till the 14th Century. The Muslim rulers ruled over the island town till 1380 AD. Then came the mighty wave of invasion of the foreign rule that lasted for 450 years.
 
Culture : The territories of Daman and Diu were under Portuguese regime before the liberation. Traditionally they carry on the life pattern of Gujarat and Saurashtra Cultural region. The friendly fun-loving people of Diu keep alive their priceless heritage of folk arts by singing and dancing.
  
Festivals - Garba festival : is a popular folk dance of Gujarat and especially of Diu. It is normally performed by women dressed in colourful costumes with typical ornaments, accompanied by singing of song in praise of Goddess Amba. This is the most popular festival of the region. The colourful costumes, the mesmerizing music and the graceful steps cast an enchanting spell on the viewers.
 
Folk Dance festival : The typical Portuguese regional folk dances of the territory include the Mando Dance, Vira Dance, the Verdigao in which happiness and the whole life style of the people of Diu is depicted. In these dances the clean roads, the delicious food and the traditions of Diu are described.  Drink, eat, sing and be merry,  that is the mote of the song and dance. The traditional dances are in slow motion with the elderly participating in them, but the young are carrying on the traditions of the old.
 
Place of Interest :

Nagoa Beach : If you are not keen on sightseeing, take a 20-minute refreshing drive through open arid land to dense coconut groves to reach the semi-circular Nagoa Beach in Bucharwada village. An exceptionally beautiful and quiet beach, .it has various facilities for water sports. It is also safe for swimming. Plenty of Palm Hoka trees whisper and sway here in the intoxicating sea breeze all day long. The virginity of the beach and serenity of the surroundings give you peace and pleasure beyond expression.

Jallandhar Shrine is located on a hillock close to the beach. This small shrine crowned with a dome and contains a niche wherein a stone  carved face of Jallandhar is seen. Nearby there is also a temple of Goddess Chandrika. The beach is at a distance of 1 km from Diu Town.

St. Paul's Church : is dedicated to our Lady of Immaculate Conception. Begun in 1601, the church was completed in 1610. The main facade of the church, perhaps the most elaborate of all Portuguese churches in India, is adorned with curiously treated volutes and shell-like motifs, and immediately attracts visitors. The facade has been illuminated by floodlights adding to the evening city glow.

Diu Museum : The old St. Thomas Church has been converted into a museum which houses the antique statues, various stone inscriptions of the earlier rulers, wooden carvings, idols, shadow-clocks and other important artifacts have been collected from various sites and displayed.
 

Diu Fort : Among the places of tourist interest, the Fort of Diu occupies a prominent position. It is an expansive and imposing structure, situated on the coast of the island.
 
Fortress of Panikota : The Fortress of Panikota is a magnificent stone structure in the sea, built right at the mouth of the creek. It can be reached only by a canoe or a motor launch. Approximately one nautical mile from the Diu jetty, it also has a lighthouse and a small chapel dedicated to Our Lady of the Sea. Located in the middle of the sea, the fortress makes for a beautiful view whether seen from the jetty, from the Fort, from the village of Ghoghla or from Diu proper.
 
Ghoghla : The Ghoghla Beach is among the six beautiful beaches in Diu District. A tourist complex built here provides all basic amenities to tourists.

Chakratirath Beach is centrally located and contiguous to the town at Diu. This beach is a popular haunt for locals and domestic and international tourists as well. The hill and the surrounding areas and landscape has been beautifully illuminated by artificial lighting. An open air auditorium on the sea side of the hillock stands nearby.
 
Gangeshwar Temple : This is situated 3 km away from Diu in Fudam village. A Shivlinga, known as Gangeshwar, is in the midst of the rocks on the seashore, and is washed by the tidal waves of the sea.

  
Climate : The climate of Diu is normally pleasant throughout the year.
   
The Monsoon season lasts from June to September with maximum rainfall being 25" or 63.5 cms. The mean maximum temperature does not exceed 38° C and the minimum does not fall below 15° C during summer. In winter it ranges from 20° to 25° C.

How to Reach

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

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

Road : Diu Connected By Road
 
Veraval - 90 kms,  Palitana - 175 kms,  Rajkot - 295 kms,  Sasangir - 120 kms,  Bhavnagar - 215 kms, Vadodara - 595 kms,  Daman - 675 kms,  Ahmedabad - 495 kms,  Mumbai - 980 kms
 
Diu is tiny island situated slightly off the coast of Kathiawar near the Port of Veraval in Gujarat with a coastal length of 21 kms. and is at a distance of about 768 kms. from Daman, the Capital of the newly formed Union Territory of Daman and Diu.
 
Diu is bounded by Junagadh and Amreli District of Gujarat in the North and by the Arabian Sea from three sides. It is connected by two bridges with the mainland.
 
The district of Diu is situated between the parallels 20°-44'-34” and 20°-42'-00” of latitude north and between the meridians 71°-00'-24” and 70°-52'-26" of longitude east of Greenwich. Its length from the extremes north and south, measures 4.6 kms and width from east to west measures 13.8 kms. The altitude is 6 meters above sea level. The topography is generally plain. The hillocks attain maximum height of 30 metres.
 
The nearest railway station is Delwada at the distance of 9 kms. from Diu. But important trains are linked with Veraval which is 90 kms. from Diu. A portion of Diu District is on main land which is named as Ghoghla. A small part of Diu known as Simbar is situated in Gujarat at a distance of 25 kms. from Diu