KAVARATTI

KAVARATTI
The blue lagoon
By Charu Soni

The island of Kavaratti, the administrative centre of the Lakshadweep Union Territory, is a busy place. People are everywhere. In the sea, on the land, in boats, working on the off-shore water pipeline, on the jetty, on the trees… a bit crowded after the relative solitude of Kadmat, Agatti or Bangaram. Imagine 10,113 people (1991 census) crammed into five kilometres and you get the picture.

Unlike other islands, Kavaratti’s shore is an apology for a beach. Narrow, busy and littered with organic and human waste, it almost spoils the beauty of the magnificent lagoon — home to enchanting star fish, anemones, sea cucumbers and schools of colourful fish.

Which is why you must come to Kavaratti. To dive. Apart from a short trip to the magnificent white Ujra Mosque and the museum-cum-aquarium, there is little else to see or explore. At night, a sky studded with a million stars and the sound of waves lapping the shore will keep you awake, strumming dreams of distant lands. Who knows, you might actually come back inspired.

Also see Dweep breathing: An introduction to Lakshadweep