Kalijai among the top 10 little-known islands in India
Odisha’s Kalijai island is placed among the least known islands across India by National geographic. The beautiful island in Chilika lake is one of little-known islands among 1,200 islands spread across the country. Away from the regular most visited islands, Kalijai and nine others islands are a must see by any enthusiastic traveller.
- Kalijai Island, Odisha
The lure of Chilika Lake invites many visiters but few explore the island scattered along the Asia’s largest lagoon. Kalijai Island inside the Chilika lake has a temple dedicated to the local goddess Kalijai. Every January, Kalijai Island thrums with pilgrims during the Makar Sankranti fair.
2. Majuli Island, Assam
India’s largest riverine island, Majuli, in the mighty Brahmaputra River, with its lush rice fields punctuated by enturies-old satras or Vaishnavite monastic centres is a enthralling experience.
3. Sunderbans National Park, West Bengal
The Sunderbans National Park, spread over a cluster of islands, famous for housing world’s largest mangroves is a nature lovers paradise.
4. Narcondam Island, Andaman and Nicobar Islands
About 240 kilometres northeast of Port Blair in the Andamans, Narcondam Island looms out of the Andaman Sea like a dream. It is home to the endemic and endangered Narcondam hornbill and spectacular coral reefs.
5. Pamban Island, Tamil Nadu
Pamban Island has everything a sea lover wants clear waters, psychedelic corals, turtles and dolphins. These waters are part of the Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park stretching between Rameswaram Island and the port city of Tuticorin.
6. Munroe Island, Kerala
Munroe Island is picturesque Kerala at its best, with water bodies, boats, coconut trees. A heaven for birdwatchers one can spy Kingfishers, egrets, and woodpeckers.
7. Srirangapatna, Karnataka
Srirangapatna, the capital of Mysore’s Wodeyar dynasty was on an island on the Cauvery River, the fort town has the centuries-old Ranganathaswamy Temple, Tipu Sultan’s summer palace, and his mausoleum. Time stops here.
8. Divar Island, Goa
Divar is world apart, old Portuguese villas, hill top views, the Church of Our Lady of Compassion near Mandovi River will take you to a past era.
9. Elephanta Island, Maharashtra
Elephanta Island takes one back to the fifth and sixth centuries when the Hindu and Buddhist Elephanta Caves were carved. The UNESCO World Heritage Site cave is spread over 89 square feet, with a 23-foot-tall, three-headed sculpture of Shiva.
10. Beyt Dwarka Island, Gujarat
Many faiths and legends converge at the 13-kilometre-long strip of Beyt Dwarka in the Gulf of Kutch. Centuries-old temples, a shrine of an Iranian Sufi saint, and a gurdwara draw the pious and the curious to its shores.
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