Plan a Trip to Diu for the Annual Diu Festival

Who would have thought the tiny but stunning islands of Daman and Diu could be such a fascinating place to visit? One look at the pristine beaches of Diu and you would forget the white sands and clear waters of Thailand and Malaysia. Still off the regular tourist map, Diu has been trying hard to catch the attention of holiday-goers around the world. To this effect, Diu’s district administration organises the annual Diu Festival from December 1^st 2015 to February 15^th 2016, which has become a big draw for locals as well as tourists.

The 16th century Diu Fort offers a lovely sea view | Photo Credit: Radhi.pandit / Wikimedia

About the Festival

Initiated in the early 1990s, the Diu Festival has become a very popular event over the years drawing large crowds to this quiet and peaceful tropical paradise. The four-day festival is an interactive opportunity where visitors get to see and experience the best of what Diu has to offer. There are a variety of fun competitions ranging from a ‘Know your Diu’ quiz to rangoli making, mehendi designing and fancy dress competitions. There are also several sporting and beach events including pot races for women, relays, beach volleyball, canoe races, running, swimming and chess competitions.

Since the festival also celebrates Diu’s Liberation Day, all stops are pulled out and participants and visitors are assured three to four days of unadulterated fun. There are several cultural programmes, such as folk songs and dances among other things. The last day of the festival is usually a dedicated food fest, which offers a mouthwatering spread of local seafood among other delicacies. Guests are simultaneously entertained by a live DJ and well known singers.

Of Sun, Sand and Sea

The Diu Festival presents itself as the perfect occasion to visit this glorious piece of heaven on earth. While you can enjoy all the pleasures of a beach destination like sun bathing, water sports and general lazing  around, you can also use the opportunity to explore the various other wonders of Diu. Among the many must-sees are the Diu Fort, an imposing Portuguese-style fort dating to the 16^th century and the St Paul’s Church with its beautiful baroque façade and ornate wooden panels and pulpit. Other interesting spots include the Gangeshwar temple and the Diu Museum. Among Diu’s many beaches the most popular are Ghogla, Nagoa, Jalandhar and Chakratirth.

It is also a good idea to visit Diu’s twin, Daman with its rich history and smattering of beaches and religious sites.

Daman and Diu have some beautiful old churches | Photo Credit: irumge / Flickr

How to Get There                                  

Daman and Diu are accessible by air, bus and private cabs. While Diu has a domestic airport, the closest international airport is in Mumbai about 180 kilometres away. Visitors can board luxury buses or hire cabs to Daman from Mumbai and Surat. So go soak in the serene beauty of this blissful haven and discover the local culture during the festival this December.