Havelock Island - Andaman and Nicobar

Havelock is one of the most dazzling island, located at the distance of 54 km northeast of Port Blair. It is one of the 39 inhabited islands in the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago. Endowed with diverse range of habitats, white sand beaches and coral reefs with a colourful array of aquatic life, palm trees, as well as dense forests in the interiors, Havelock island is the first choice of the travellers who want spend quite holidays and enjoy the slow pace of the island life.

Covering the total area of 100sq .km., Havelock is the largest island in Ritchie's Archipelago. The island allures heap of tourists all around the year with some of the most fascinating beach destinations and plenty of cheap bamboo hut accommodations. It is most developed island, inhabited by the Bengali settlers since Partition.

As the matter of pride, Havelock is rated is the seventh most beautiful island in the world. The islands forms one of the exotic eco location. The waters here are simply marvellous for snorkelling and scuba diving. The other water sports that you can enjoy here includes hiking, fishing, kayaking and sailing.

One can reach the Havelock island through ferry that leaves Port Blair at 7.00 am daily and reaches Havelock at 9.30 am. The return boat leaves Havelock at 10.00 am and reaches Port Blair at 1.00 pm. Please note that it is is not possible to go to Havelock Island straight from the Port Blair Airport on the same day (day of arrival) - as the flight arrives only after 7.30/8.00 am.

Sightseeing :

Radha Nagar Beach :

Rated as the best beach in Asia by Time in 2004, Radha Nagar Beach is located north western side of the Havelock island. The water is sublime turquoise colour and although the coral is sparse, marine life here is diverse and plentiful, especially among the rocks around the corner from the main beach. While being at Radha Nagar beach do not forget to take the sunset view, that is particularly beautiful. You can even indulge in swimming and snorkelling. If you you are looking for soft adventure you can also take the elephant ride through the beach shady forest.

Elephant Beach :
Near to the Radha Nagar beach lies the Elephant Beach. The shoreline here was largely swept away by the 2004 sunami and the beach is a fraction of what it used to be. It’s amazing how the water changes color with the light.. here it’s reflecting the inky gray of the sky..there’s gonna be rain, lots of it..

Neill is one of the most important tourists destination of the Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Island.

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The Pious Ganga

Through the ages, Ganga has been revered by million of Indians as the sacred river and is considered as the Goddess. Ganga or Ganges has been the symbol of India's age long tradition and culture. It holds the special pace in the heart of the Hindus and has been the most important river in the Indian subcontinent. Holiest of all Indian rivers, Ganga flows some 1550 miles and sustains the life of millions of people. In short , it is the lifeline of India.

The source of the Ganga River is the Gangotri glacier, which is also known as the Gaumukh. It is called as the Gaumukh because the shape of the ice is like the mouth of the cow. This glacier is located at the height of 4255 meter above the sea level and is around 24 km in length and 7 km in width. At the Gangotri Glacier, the river is known as the Bhagirathi. From Bhagirathi it flows downwards and joins the river Alaknanda, and from there it later on becomes Ganga.

Ganga has been repeatedly invoked many times in the two great Indian epics Ramayana and Mahabharata. Symbolically, it is represented on the head of the Lord Shiva. Flowing from his entangled hair and falling on earth, signifies that Lord Shiva destroys physical impurities and bestows peace on the devotees.

Gangotri has been considered as one of the most sacred religious spot in India. Every day lakh of tourists
from far and wide throng to the ghats of Ganga to take a dip in its religious water. Ganga ghats finds the special mention in the travel guide to India. Inspite of being so much polluted these days, it's respect and importance has not been reduced from the mind of the devotees.

Along with the Ganga river the significance of Gangotri temple is also very high. People on the special tour to the Gangotri Glacier, do not forget to make a visit to this temple. This temple was built in the 18th century by a Gurkha commander named Amar Singh Thapa.

Use of the Ganga jal is considered as the highly beneficial while performing the yagas and puja. It also holds the medicinal properties. It has been proved that that the water collected from Ganga is pure and does not get contaminated even though it is kept for years. According to the popular belief, one who baths in the Ganga water, in accordance with the traditional rites and ceremonies, attains purity and peace and is freed from all the sins of life.

Aparana Chauhan

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