MINICOY ISLAND

This isolated island is almost 10.6km long and is the second largest island after Andrott. It is the southernmost island in Lakshadweep. Viringili to the south is the smallest islet.The people are traders and sea-farers, and Mahl is the common language.

The island is a centre for tuna fishing. The 300-ft-tall light house built in 1885 is one of the oldest monuments. You can swim, beach walk, sail, or hire pedal boats and kayaks her. There are bathing huts and changing rooms. Three tourist cottages and 20 bedded tourist homes are available, too. Minicoy is part of the Coral reef and Swaying Palm packages.

The villages are systematically planned and are known as Athiris. Each Athiri has its own internal organisation headed by a Moopan who heads the community. A curious remnant of old life in the island is the sheds where vicious persons were exposed to punishment. There are beautifully-engraved table-tops to decorate their drawing rooms or on fishing boats or racing dhonis. Boat modeling is common work here. Most houses have a swing cot made of wood which is beautifully furnished and colourfully painted.

Situated 398kms from Cochin, this island is set apart from other islands in its culture, language and tradition.