Dadra and Nagar Haveli is a union territory. It lies near the west coast and consists of two separate parts. Dadra is surrounded by the state of Gujarat, and Nagar Haveli lies on the borders of Maharashtra and Gujarat. 

The hospitable, kind, unselfish native tribals have their own customs, dances and rituals which are quite fascinating.

Things To Do In Dadra & Nagar Haveli

There really isn’t any order of things that you can do. If you are looking for a quick weekend getaway, Silvassa is the place for you. You can be holed up in any one of the many resorts in Silvassa and surrounding areas, or let yourself loose only in the lush green sights of the surrounding flora and fauna.

Silvassa

Tribal Cultural Museum

The Tribal Cultural Museum at Silvassa is a good place to get an insight into the history and culture of the state. It houses a good collection of masks, musical apparatus, fishing gadgets and life-size statues.

Khanvel

Khanvel is situated at a distance of 20 km from Silvassa. The drive to Khanvel is lined with tall trees on both sides of the road. This serene landscape, surrounded by lush green hills, beckons nature lovers with its native-styled cottages amidst terraced gardens. The calm and gentle Sakartod River flows past Khanvel.

Swaminarayan Temple

This temple is a well maintained peaceful temple with excellent archietcure located by the banks of the river. With free parking and entry facilities, this temple makes for the perfect place to get away from the crowds and simply sit and meditate. 

Dadar

The Vanganga Lake and Island Garden Dadra, is a 5 km travel from Silvassa, and is a lush green garden with quaint wooden bridges, thatched huts, paddle boats and jogging paths. It is a sought-after location for Bollywood, to film song sequences. It has ticketed entry.

Dudhni

A 20-km drive from Khanvel is Dudhni where large waterfront of river Daman Ganga provides a breathtaking view of the water spread over Madhuban Dam. The luxurious tents pitched right near the bank provide a countryside experience. Tourists may also cook their own meals near the camp. 

Nature & Scenic Sites

Vanganga Lake

The Vanganga Lake and Island Garden is a beautiful lake garden situated at a distance of 5 km from the capital city of Silvassa. The rustic wooden bridges, the flowers, jogging paths, thatched huts, and paddle boats constitute an ideal ambiance for the honeymooners. 

Vandhara Udyan

Vandhara Udyan at Silvassa is a riverside park with sprawling lawns dotted with exquisite pavilions, an ideal site for picnic buffs. There is also a mini zoo and Bal Udyan at Silvassa. The colorful birds, mischievous monkeys, awesome pythons and sleepy crocodiles coupled with swings, slides, and merry-go-rounds render this site every kid’s dream come true. .

Wildlife in Dadra and Nagar Haveli

Though the whole territory is located in an area of 491 sq.mi, it has its share of wildlife

Vasona Lion Safari

There are 3 lions only in this sanctuary, not always in perfect condition and not an ideal place to visit if you want to see these majestic animals in their true form. You should rather head to Gir in Gujarat to see them in their true habitat.

Satmalia

On the way to Khanvel, Satmalia has a wildlife sanctuary with many species of antelope. Many other animals – including sambhar and chital deer, and black bucks – and a wide variety of birds – including the flame back woodpecker, peacocks, and thrushes – can be spotted. The Machan (watch tower) near the waterhole provides an incredible panoramic view of the sanctuary and Madhuban Dam.

Butterfly Garden

Butterfly garden is akin to a short nature trail for one expecting to sift through a wide variety of flowers and of course butterflies. A free-entry public park located within the city is a pleasant experience throughout the day in Dadar & Nagar Haveli. 

The park is closed on Monday and is open on all other days from 9.00am to 5.00 pm.

Sports Activities

You could ask your resort manager/ hotel people to arrange for a few adventure sports in this place. As a tourist, you will not find many places ready to take you for sports activities unless you prebook it and then say it is available. 

Kauncha, 40 km south of Silvassa, is a tranquil place with tile-roofed cottages. Ideal for trekker, for pitching a tent on the bank of the Madhuban Dam and gazing at the stars is the perfect way to end a day of adventure. Jet skies, rowing boats, kayaks, and canoes are available for those who like water sports.

The Himai Van Health Resort is surrounded by tribal villages at the foothills of the Western Ghats.

For further tourist information contact the tourism department of Silvassa or Dadra and Nagar Haveli. They will provide you with a travel guide for all your travel needs in Silvassa and throughout the Union Territory. You can also get information about hotels, places to visit, tourist complexes, holiday themes or tours in Silvassa and also through Dadra and Nagar Haveli.

When to Visit

The summers are hot and become in their later part more humid with temperatures reaching as high as 39 °C in the month of May. The monsoon starts in the month of June and extends until September. The rainfall is brought by South West monsoon winds.

Winters are between maritime temperate and semi-tropical with temperatures ranging from 14 °C to 30 °C, making them the ideal time to visit.

Culture of Dadra & Nagar Haveli

The people, culture, and festivals of Dadra and Nagar Haveli together present a colorful kaleidoscope. The majority of the people of Dadra and Nagar Haveli belong to various tribal groups.

The major tribes include Kokana, Varlies, Koli, Dhodia, Kathodi, Naika and Dublas. The tribals have their distinct culture and sets of rituals that vary from community to community. Folklores flow in the air as they strongly influence and control the expected behavioral patterns within the society.

Songs and dance are an inevitable part of these tribal groups and practically every occasion, be it harvest, marriage or death, is accompanied by various forms of music. The tribal dances in Dadra and Nagar Haveli are of many types, each of which is unique in their styles. The tribal dances in the union territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli are as follows:

• Bhavada Dance
• Tarpa Dance
• Bohada Dance
• Tur and Thali Dance
• Dhol Dance
• Gherria Dance

Along with the people, culture, festivals of Dadra & Nagar Haveli, the color of the denizens of Dadra and Nagar Haveli spreads in their distinct food patterns, crafts, and even sports and other forms of entertainment.

Art & Craft of Dadra & Nagar Haveli

Similar to other tribal-dominated areas, Dadra and Nagar Haveli is also rich with wonderful art and handicraft tradition. The Dadra and Nagar Haveli Crafts are exemplary with their different types and genres. The artisans are famous for their wonderful weaving and carving works.

One of the major crafts of the Dadra and Nagar Haveli region is the wonderful leather craft. The artistically created slippers made of leather are very popular with the local people as well as the visitors. The leather slippers are not only beautiful but also strong enough to wear it for rough uses. 

The rural people in the union territory of Dadra & Nagar Haveli engage themselves to prepare some wonderful works of art made of bamboo canes which also make for the perfect souvenirs to buy from here. 

Local Cuisine

The local tribal cuisine of capital city Silvassa and all over Dadra and Nagar Haveli uses an interesting variety of pulses and vegetables, including wild mushrooms and bamboo shoots. Rotis are made from various flours like rice, raagi and jowar, and are a must try on your stay at any hotel in and around Silvassa.

Crabs, freshly caught on a dark night after a hunt in the wild by the light of makeshift wooden torches, is a delicacy not only in Silvassa but throughout India. River fish like rohu, Katla, and mirgals carp are popular. Chutneys made from the fruit and leaves of wild shrubs and aromatic herbs (like karanda berries, ajoola leaves, and raw mangoes) are mouthwatering and greatly relished.

You will get a good taste of the Silvassa or Dadra and Nagar Haveli tribal cuisine in hotels in Silvassa and also the rest of Dadra and Nagar Haveli.

Ubadiyu, a mix of vegetables and beans cooked with special herbs in an earthen pot, is the local version of Gujarati undhiyu, is a must-try dish. It is only one of the specialties in Silvassa as well as other parts of the Union Territory, and is eaten usually in the winter. Have it with turmeric-flavored buttermilk, that’s how the local people of Dadra and Nagar Haveli enjoy it.

Khaman, steamed chickpea cake, and chicken are other must-eats.

Getting Around

The closest airport to Dadar and Nagar Haveli is in Mumbai. From there you can take a cab or buses to reach the main city. Dadra and Nagar Haveli almost touches the National Highway 8 between Mumbai and Delhi. Silvassa is about 14 km, from Bhilad and Vapi.

The nearest railway stations are Bhilad & Vapi, about 14 km & 18 km respectively from Silvassa, and are on the Western Railways.

Where to Stay

You will find many places to stay in the Territories. There are places that cater to family holiday tourists with budget and high range hotels and resorts located all over the place.

Depending on your budget you can check in on online sites like Make my trip or Yatra to get the best deal.

How Safe Is Dadra and Nagar Haveli

It is safe and no problems are usually reported by tourist. Usually, the locals don’t roam around after dark and the streets are often empty and all yours. 

July 18, 2018 1:53 am Published by Art Of Travel