Explore the former Portuguese colonies Daman and Dui, coastal enclaves that whisper sweetly of their past.

Situated on the coast against the Arabian Sea are Daman and Diu, which have been contributing to the rich history of the area for the past 450 years and more.  Part of Portuguese India they were incorporated into the republic of India in 1961.

Known as the second smallest Union Territory in India, they are two separate areas and can be found within the state of Gujarat.

Daman

Daman is divided into two parts by the Damanganga River. And has two forts which are well known; the Moti Daman and the Nani Daman. Moti Daman has wide streets, a 17^th century church and the Sea Cathedral along with a lighthouse as its draw cards.  Nani Daman has the Church of Our Lady of Rosary and a nearby fishing village.  Closer to the river is an 18^th century Jain Temple that has some stunning murals, and the important Somnath Mahadev Temple which is dedicated to Lord Shiva is found in Dabhel Village.  Other great tourist destinations include the beaches found at Devka beach and Jampore beach.

Diu

While Daman is located on the mainland Dui is a tiny island in the Arabian Sea.  It is nearest to the port of Veraval and is connected by two bridges that lead to the mainland.  To the east of the town by the name of Diu is the Diu fort which is right on the coast.  The Panikotha or water house is a smaller fortress which is accessible by boat.  Gangeshwar Temple is located on the island along with churches belonging to St Francis of Assisi and St Paul.  Nagoa beach is named such for its horse shoe shape and is a good beach for visitors to enjoy some time on the island.  Most notably for bird-lovers would be the birdlife on Diu which includes blue rock pigeons, doves and parrots as well as many migratory birds who choose to make the island their home during the cooler months of the year.

Heritage and Culture in Daman and Diu

The Portuguese heritage of the area has been somewhat well preserved.  While Portuguese is no longer an official language many of the local elders still use it on a daily basis.  Daman and Diu boast a rich and multi-faceted cultural heritage.  With dance and music being the most widely participated in facet.  There is a fusion of cultural ingredients here like nowhere else, tribal, urban, European and Indian coming together as one, which make the tribal dances of the area an absolutely stunning reflection of the areas past.

Economy in Daman and Diu

The economy in this little union territory is dependent on agriculture and fisheries, along with tourism, small industries and cottage industries.  The agricultural sector is of a very large importance here and along with fisheries makes up a large part of the economy and many people’s livelihood.