Rediscovering the Portugal Dynasty at Daman - Part 4

Part 3: Rediscovering Portugal Dynasty At Daman-Part 3

Jampore Beach: After covering the Fort area in Moti Daman we headed to Jampore Beach. This is almost 6kms from main city. Driving through narrow roads leads you to the Beach. We were surprised by the number of vehicles parked here, while we hardly got to see any person out near the Fort area. Green Palms and casurina fronds makes a beautiful sight.. Food stalls are put up on the shore, a narrow opening between the stalls leads you to the beach... You can enjoy pony ride, camel ride and even paragliding here.

Devka Beach: 3km drive from Nani Daman leads you to Devka Beach. Just like Jampore Beach this too has hotels and souvenir stalls. Main attraction here is the popular amusement park, which has various gaming instruments and musical fountain. We couldn't spend much time here and headed back to Nani Daman. 

Had lunch at Gurukrupa, one of the best restaurants if you are looking out for veggie food. Then drove through the Jetty area. This drive covers you the view of Fort and Light House at Moti Daman and a visit to Nani Daman Fort. 

This Fort in Nani Daman in popularly known as St. Jemore Fort. The Fort enterance as a Gigantic statue of St. Jemore, flanked by two colossal human sculpture on either sides.

St. Jemore was one of the most eminent and deeply revered priest of the Catholic Church of Daman. Inside the Fort is the church dedicated to Our Lady of the Sea.

The other attraction in the Fort is the Jain Temple that bears 18th century murals depicting the life of Mahavir Swami, the 24th Theerthankara of Jainism on its interior walls.

Rediscovering the Portugal Dynasty at Daman - Part 3

Continued from Rediscovering the Portugal Dynasty at Daman - Part 2

This part is about the churches in Daman. Daman, has many churches and chapels dating back to 1500's, with Portugal influence..

Bom Jesus Church is one of the oldest churches here in Daman. Founded in 1500s and reconsturcted in 1603, this church sees a steady stream of visitors.



 It is dedicated to the infant Jesus, with statues of six saints and an impressive architectural facade.

The scrolls and floral patterns add to its beauty, as do the richly decorated wood panelling, ornately carved balcony and the gilded Baroque altar. This was the former Se Cathedral of the Aechdiocese of Daman.

Church of Our Lady of Remedios: This church dedicated to Lady of Remedios was built by Rui De Mello De Sampaiyo, governer and captain of the city in 1607AD. Main alter is carved and gilded with 17th century engravings. Moti Daman was made a separate parish in 1673.

Just adjacent to the chappel is this staue of Lord Jesus in the garden.

Chapel of Our Lady of Rosario: The chapel was closed and we were told by one of the officials there that this comes under the Archaeological Survey of India and is opened once in a while. History of this church too dates back to 17th century and the interior is magnificantly carved with stories of christian saints which are depicted on the lateral walls. The ceiling is decorated with multicoloured rose petals cherubic golden angles. The alter of the chapel is supposed to be example amongst all Portuguese churchs in India..

The Chapel of Our Lady of Rosary: Against the fort wall is the chapel of Our Lady of Rosary dating and gilded wooden panels illustrate stories from the lives of the blessed saints. The ceiling features charming carved golden cherubs. The staute of Mary of Rosary was placed in the altar in the thanksgiving by the Porgutuese Commander for rescue from a Maratha attack by Shivaji. 

Church of Our Lady of Sea: Located in Fort of Nani Daman, Church of Our Lady of Sea is counted amongst the most revered holy places in Daman. 

Part 4: Rediscovering Portugal Dynasty At Daman Part 4

Rediscovering the Portugal Dynasty at Daman - Part 2

Part 1: Rediscovering Portugal Dynasty at Daman- Part 1
Pargola Garden in Moti Daman fort, is a commemorative monument built as a symbol of tribute in the revers memory of Portuguese soldiers who laid their lives during the liberation struggle in Dadra and Nagar Haveli. Dadra and Nagar Haveli was a Portuguese colony who unschakled themselves in the year 1954 from the Portuguese Union and merged into Indian Union in 1961.

The structure in Greek architecture, bears resemblance to the Pantheon at Athens.

The garden is very well maintained with lush green grass and colourful blossoms.

Part 3 Rediscovering Portugal Dynasty At Daman - Part 3

Linked to 52 Photos Project

Rediscovering the Portugal Dynasty at Daman - Part 1

Recently i was offered a Guest article exchange by Glad2baWoman. Their article Varanasi Vingyors was published on my blog. I had written an article on my last trip to Silvassa for them which is yet to be published. Meanwhile will continue with my other posts of that trip.
After our first days trip at Silvassa, we stayed at Woodland Inn a good budget accommodation with adjacent hotel Amanthran, which serves just a perfect veggie food. Next morning we started for Daman which is around 30kms from Silavassa.
History:
The first Portugese encounter with India was by Vasco da Gama who reached Calicat in 1498. In 1500 Pedro Alvares Cabral arrived to trade for pepper and other spices. In 1505 Francisco de Almeida, in 1509 Afonso de Albuquerque. By then they had control over Anjediva Island, Cannanore, Cochin, Quilon. In 1510, Albuquerque defeated Sultan of Bijapur and establishes permanent settlement in Velha Goa(Old Goa). Later they acquired Madras, and by 1531 several territories from Gujarat Daman, Salsette, Bombay and Bacaim and Diu were under their control. Since then, Daman was under Portugal rule. In 1947 after India’s independence from British, Portugal refused to leave their control of their Indian possessions. In December 1961, Indian militarily invaded Goa, Daman and Diu. Where they were faced with insufficient Portugese resistance and on 19 December 1961 the Governor of Portuguese India signed the Instrument of Surrender, ending 450 years of Portuguese rule in India. The new territories became Union Territories within the Indian Union, and later on 30 May 1987 Goa became the 25^th state of Indian Union and Daman and Diu was separated from Goa and continued to be administered as a Union territory.
450 years of Portuguese rule had left a remarkable impact on the culture and heritage of these places. Comparatively Daman is less explored by tourists as compared to Goa. Daman nestles near the mouth of the Damanganga river as it embraces the Arabian Sea. Moti(Big) Daman and Nani Daman the twin towns of Daman district lie on the either banks of the river.

We reached Daman by 11 in the morning, we headed to the fort at Moti Daman.

Unlike most of the forts, this is part of the city. Dating back to 1559AD, features two imposing Gateways and houses most of the administrative offices.

The fort area has few churches, and Garden(separate posts on these). Other gate of the fort heads to the river bank.  

 New bridge which connects Moti Daman and Nani Daman

Old Bridge

There is an old light house within the Fort which was constructed to provide guidance to all the inbound and outbound sea traffic. 

The old lighthouse is not in use now and the road next to the outer wall of the fort leads to the New Light House. 

 View of the New LightHouse from the fort

 There is lot more to explore in Daman, following posts coming up on the other tourist attractions in Daman.

Travel tips:

•  How to reach
• By Train: Nearest railway station is Vapi, which is 7km from Daman and well connected to major cities.
• By Road: Buses from Mumbai to Ahmadabad and Saurashtra pass through Vapi. Number of Gujarat State Transport buses operate daily from Vapi to Daman.  Cabs ply between Vapi and Daman. Driving from Mumbai, on NH8 take deviation at Karambelli village, between Bhilad and Vapi.
• By Air: Nearest airport is Mumbai, which is around 3hours drive.
• Accommodation: There are government and private accommodations ranging from Rs.150 to Rs.2000.
• Best time to visit September to May

Part 2 Rediscovering Portugal Dynasty at Daman Part 2

Linked to Skywatch Friday, Travel Photo Mondays, Our World Tuesday, Outdoor Wednesday

Wednesday Bazaar 6 - Shell Shop

A Shell Shop from the Sea Shore of Daman for this week's Wednesday Bazaar.

Wednesday Bazaar is a series where I post pictures of Bazaar or markets from around the world.. Check more Bazaars here.
Linked to ABC Wednesday.