Diu Islands near Junagadh

Diu, the gods own island is situated at the southern tip of the Saurashtra and very near to the Gir forests. Diu has a rich history and was ruled by many emperors over the period of time.

History About Diu Iskands near Junagadh

After the rules of Hindus and Muslims, Portuguese left their mark in this area which is clearly visible even now. Portuguese ruled the area till 1961. Mauryans ruled the area during 322-320 BC, Kshatrapas ruled from 1st century AD to 415 AD followed by Guptas from 415 AD to 467 AD, Maitrakas from 470 AD to 788 AD and under Chadva dynasty from 789 AD to 941 AD. Portuguese started their reign over the region in 1529 and ended when Diu got independence in 1961. Diu can be a good place to visit for a day and spend some quality time.

Temples to Visit: The most famous temple to visit at Diu is the Jallandhar Shrine located near to the beach. Also located is the temple of Goddess Chandrika near this temple. The temple of Gangeshwar located inside the caves is a mystic aura and is a nice place to visit. Located on the seashore, in the middle of the rocks the temple has 5 lingas and are believed to be established by the Pandava brothers during their exile. 

Historical Places: Diu fort which was constructed during 1535 and 1541 AD holds a prominent place here and is a must watch. The majestic structure with sea on three sides provides a magnificent view of the sea. The ancient stonework inside the fort is worth watch. The fort also has a light house and a jail. We can still see several cannons on the top of the fort.

Another fort known for its beauty is the Fortress of Panikota. The magnificent stone structure built in the sea has a small chapel and a light house.

Churches: Known for its Portuguese architecture, Diu has three ancient Baroque churches. St. Paul’s Church which was constructed in 1610 is still being used. Church of St. Francis of Assisi which was the first church constructed in 1593 in Diu is now used as a hospital and the other church, St. Thomas Church is being used as a museum.

Museums: St. Thomas Church located here is converted into a museum which holds many wooden carvings, stone inscriptions, antique statues, idols and multicolored fountains. The Shell museum started by Captain Devjibhai Fulbaria, a merchant navy captain 50 years ago has a collection of amazing shells.

Beaches in Diu: Ghoghla beach is one of the best beaches in Diu offering water sports like para sailing and surfing. Nagoa Beach, a beautiful beach spread over 2 kilometers is safe for swimming.  Another beach located on the western end of the town is the Gomtimata Beach with white sand is secluded and is a peaceful place to spend time. Other beaches in Diu are the Jallandhar beach, Chakratirth beach and the most beautiful sunset point. 

Although Diu can be visited at any part of the year, the best time to visit the place is between October and May. Diu can be well reached by road, rail and air also. Diu also has a small airport which carries passengers from Mumbai and Ahmedabad. Diu has good number of hotels and resorts and is tranquil and serene.