The Union Territories of Daman and Diu, Dadra and Nagar Haveli became single union territory on January 26^th January, 2020. The merged Union Territory is named as Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.

Daman and Diu and are situated on western coast of India. Daman   is on the main land and Diu is an island. Both the Districts of Daman and Diu are near Gujarat State and are separated by about 700 kms from one another while

The Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli lies near the western coast of India and consists of two separate parts. Of these, Dadra is surrounded by the state of Gujarat, and Nagar Haveli lies on the border of Maharashtra and Gujarat.

Daman & Diu and Dadra & Nagar Haveli as prepossessing  destinations:

 Daman and Diu is renowned for its natural splendor. These twin islands were under the control of the portuguese for a period of 450 years. The massive forts, magnificient cathedrals, impressive monuments and the white sandy secluded sandy beaches are quite inviting and offer many opportunities for water sports  Daman and Diu showcase the old charm of its colonial era as well as the scenic locations and the serene surroundings.

How to reach Daman:

BY AIR

There is no direct flight connectivity to Daman . The nearest commercial airport is in Surat. One  can hire a taxi from the airport to reach Daman.

Nearest Airport: Surat – 84 kms from Daman

BY TRAIN

Daman has no direct connectivity in railways. The nearest railway station is in Vapi, whence you can take a taxi once you step down to the city of Daman, barely 13.2 km away.

BY ROAD

Daman  can be easily accessed by road. While the town of Vapi is situated at a distance of 12 kilometres on the Bombay-Ahmedabad National Highway No. 8, Mumbai is approximately 170 kilometres from Daman. Other cities like Ahmedabad and Baroda are 360 and 300 kilometres away from Daman respectively

How to reach Diu:

BY AIR:

Diu can be reached via air from the Diu Airport.  

BY TRAIN:

The Veraval Railway station is 87 Km away from Diu and is the nearest railway station to reach Diu.

BY ROAD:

Buses run from Porbandar, Junagadh and Veraval. Therefore, in order to reach Diu via bus, you would have to first reach any one of these destinations. You could also self-drive along NH8 from Mumbai, Ahmedabad and Baroda.

Places to visit in Daman and Diu:

• Jampore Beach: Jampore beach is one of the significant attractions in Daman. Situated remotely 5 kilometres away from the Moti Daman Jetty, the beach gets fame because of its blackish mud-coloured water.
• Naida Caves: Naida caves are located close to the Diu Fort, behind the Arabian Sea. Many individuals say that these are man-made caves while others believe it to be a natural one.
• Gangeshwar Mahadev: One of the most gorgeous temples in India dedicated to Lord Shiva.
• Diu Museum: Visit the old St. Thomas Church that has been converted into a museum which is a repository of antique statues, wooden carvings, stone inscriptions, idols, shadow clocks, etc.
• INS Khukri Memorial: Indian Naval Ship Khukri was a frigate of the Indian Navy. During the Indo Pak War in 1971, she fell prey to three torpedoes fired by a Pakistan submarine on 9/12/1971 and sank 40 nautical miles off the coast of Diu taking down with her a crew of 18 Officers and 176 Sailors. Captain Mahendra Nath Mulla, Mahavir Chakra (Posthumous) of the Indian Navy, the then Commanding Officer of the ship, chose to go down with the warship. The heroic act of Cap. Mulla and his valiant crew is shining example of unyielding spirit and indomitable courage glorifying the heist traditions of the Indian Navy.
• Chakratirth Beach: It is a compact and a calm sandy beach with a small temple to Lord Shiva & picturesque sunset views.
• Sea shell Museum: A Museum showcasing a private collection of rare, diverse sea shells from around the world.

Taste of Daman and Diu:

 As being the coastal land, It offers a variety of seafood in its platter. If you ask about the cuisine here, it is a mix of Gujarati and Portuguese food culture.

Dadra & Nagar Haveli:

Nagar Haveli is located between Maharashtra and Gujarat, whereas Dadra is an enclave 1 km NW, surrounded by Gujarat. The main city is Silvassa, an ideal destination for a holiday close to nature.

How to reach Dadra & Nagar Haveli:

BY AIR

The nearest airport to Silvassa the capital of Dadra & Nagar Haveli is Mumbai which is about 180 km away. It is well connected with other Indian and International cities. Taxis are available from Mumbai to Silvassa.

BY TRAIN

Vapi is the nearest railway station at a distance of 17 km. Vapi is well connected with major Indian cities like Mumbai, Ahmadabad, Bangalore, Jodhpur, Hyderabad, Pune. From Vapi you can hire taxi, auto or can take a bus to Silvassa.

BY ROAD

The convenient way to reach Silvassa is through Western express highway also known as NH8. This highways leads a person straight to the destination. State and private buses makes it easy for the tourists to reach silvassa.

The territory of Dadra & Nagar Haveli has hilly terrain especially towards the north-east and east where it is surrounded by ranges of Sahyadri Mountains (Western Hills). River Daman Ganga and its three tributaries cut across this territory. The most prominent tribes are Dhodia, Kokna and Varli, with small groups of Koli, Kathodi, Naika and Dubla scattered across the territory.

Silvassa a former Portuguese colony, Silvassa is known for its scenic beauty, wildlife sanctuaries, beaches and facilities for water sports. Capital of the union territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Silvassa lies between Gujarat and Maharashtra.

Places to visit in Silvassa:

• Tribal Cultural Museum: It is an Educational museum with displays of historic tribal artifacts & art, plus modern works & topiaries.
• Silvassa Vasona Lion Safari: A park in Silvassa.
• Hirwa Van Garden:A garden in Silvassa.
• Our Lady of Piety Church: A catholic church in Silvassa.
• Nakshatra Garden: Beautiful Garden in Silvassa.
• Lion Safari Vasona: Park in Silvassa.

More places to visit in Dadra and Nagar Haveli:

• Vanganga Lake Garden: Peaceful & leafy garden with flower beds, kids’ activities & a lake with boats for hire.
• Dudhni Lake- A lake which is 40 kms away from Silvassa.
• Kauncha: A treat by nature.

Taste of Dadra & Nagar Haveli:

The food in Dadra and Nagar Haveli is very strongly influenced by neighbouring state Gujarat. Almost always strictly vegetarian, Gujarati cuisine is unlike any other Indian cuisine. The difference lies in the unusual blending of the sweet with the salty into a harmonious whole. The grand spread of Gujarati cuisine can be glimpsed and savoured in the very popular “Gujarati Thali” a large silver platter consisting of innumerable bowls full of vegetable curries, dals or lentil based gravies, a variety of breads, savories – crisp spicy fried farsans, sweetmeats and an amazing range of sweet and sour chutneys and pickles. The entire meal including the vegetables and dals (curried lentils) achieves a delicate balance of flavours – sweet and sour, salty and spicy, crisp and soft, low fat and deep-fried.