Comprising 28 islands, with an area of 1,841-sq-kms, the Nicobar group
of islands is separated from Andamans by the Ten-Degree Channel. The
Nicobars abound in coconut palms, casuarinas and Pandanus. The Nicobar
Islands can be divided in three groups - Northern Most Group, Central
Group and Southern Group.
Great and Little Nicobar have dark crab eating monkeys with long tails.
Nicobare Pigeons are found on these islands in plenty. Magapode, a rare
bird, is found in Great Nicobar. The southern most tip of India, "Indira
Point" is in Great Nicobar Island.
Historical Significance
ince time immemorial these beautiful Islands have been part of India.
Scholars connect early history of Andaman and Nicobar as the land of
Ramayan's Hanuman. Lord Ram, the hero of the epic Ramayana is believed
to have passed through these islands during his period of exile. Many of
the Voyagers referred Nicobar Islands as the 'Land of the Naked'. In
Indian term it was called 'Nakkavar'.
In recent Indian history, an archeological inscription dated AD 1059
says that Nicobar was part of overseas kingdom of Tamil Chola Kings of
Tanjore. In 1869, British took possession of the Nicobar Islands from
the Danes and they became part of modern India.
The Isolated Land
According to history Nicobar Islands have experienced all kinds of
external influences for centuries, because they are located along an
ancient international trade sea route and have been known to voyagers
and scholars from ancient times. So it proves they have been witness to
fusion of blood and fusion of culture as well.
It was on 2nd April 1957 for some practical reasons to stop economic
exploitation of the islanders that the Government of India declared
Nicobar Islands as Aboriginal Tribal Reserve Area and Nicobar Islands
became inaccessible to the people. Even Indian people from the mainland
need a special tribal pass to land on different islands.
Origin
Due to absence of collective memory it is not possible to trace
Nicobarese past link, both ethnic and cultural. "Bonington"
(1932) referred to them as a branch of the Mon race. They are believed
to have been living in the Archipelago of Nicobar from time immemorial.
Later migrating people from Malaysia, Indonesia, Burma, greater India
and China in ancient days settled there and they integrated with the
indigenous people they found on the island. But with regard to the
origin of the Nicobarese, each island possesses folklore of its own.
Prime Attractions of Andaman & Nicobar
» Islands
§ Car Nicobar (Distance 270-km. By Sea From Port
Blair) :
A flat fertile Island, the Car Nicobar is covered with a cluster of
coconut palms and some enchanting beaches with a roaring sea all around.
It is also the headquarters of Nicobar district. The houses in the
Island are especially unique and fascinating. The Nicobarese built their
houses on stilts about 2m off the ground, which have entrances through
the floor. Some of these huts look like beehives.
Car Nicobar is a 16-hour journey from Port Blair by sea. One can check
out the Ship Schedules available at the Shipping Office at Port Blair.
One has to rely on government guesthouses at Car Nicobar and
reservations should be made well in advance before starting from Port
Blair.
§ Katchal Island (425-km. By Sea From Port Blair)
: Katchal is a tiny island in the Nicobar group. It was this island,
which heralded the new millennium with the first sunrise on 1st January
2000. This island has beautiful beaches at East Bay Jhula and West Bay.
§ The Great Nicobar (Distance 540-km. By Sea From
Port Blair) : The Great Nicobar is 865-sq-kms in area and is the
largest of the Nicobar group. Its southern most point, the Indira Point
(Formerly known as Pygmallion Point) is also the southern most point of
India. The northern half of the Great Nicobar Island has hills and
mountain ranges while the rest of the Island is fairly flat. The Great
Nicobar is the only Island in Andaman and Nicobars, which has perennial
rivers - the Galathea, Alexandria, and Doyma. The beach near Galathia is
the nesting ground for Giant Leather Back Turtles. The island also
houses the biosphere reserve area.
Great Nicobar is a 60-hour journey by ship from Port Blair. One has to
rely on government guesthouses at the Great Nicobar Island and
reservations should be made well in advance.
§ Nancowry Group Of Islands : Nancowry Group
of Islands are considered to be the most beautiful islands in the
Nicobar group. There are no hotels to stay and one has to make one's own
arrangements at the circuit house or village schools present over here.
Place to stay in Andaman & Nicobar
Government guesthouses and circuit houses are avilable at Great
Nicobar, Car Nicobar and Katchal Island, but one has to make
reservations in advance.
Nearby Cities of Port Blair
»
Port Blair
» Mayabunder
» Kalighat
»
Chennai
- 1190 Km
» Calcutta - 1255 Km
»
Vishakapatnam
- 1200 Km
How to Get There
Sea : Ferries are available to reach Nicobar Islands
via sea from Port Blair, Car Nicobar And Katchal Island.
