From the hill station of Saputara to the seaside. We set off to Daman, a former Portuguese colony, along the coast of the Gulf of Khambhat.
After more than four centuries of Portuguese rule, Daman passed into the hands of India in 1961. The Damanganga river divides the town into Moti Daman (Big Daman) and Nani Daman (Little Daman) just before it meets the blue waters of the Arabian Sea. At the mouth of the Damanganga, the strong forts and the little fishing boats narrate the story of the seaside town. Visit the forts, catch up on history (on the Internet :)), and gaze out at the beautiful views all around.
Nani Daman, the Little Fort:
As the sun shone brightly overhead, we entered the citadel of Nani Daman. A sculpture of St. Jerome welcomes visitors at the entrance. We walked on the fort walls (some parts are accessible) and were treated to beautiful views of the sea. The fort lacked sign boards with information; so, visitors must read up the history elsewhere. The church (Church of Our Lady of the Sea) inside this fort was closed.
Outside the fort, a small temple caught our attention. And so, we proceeded to visit the Samudranarayan temple; the deity inside represents the Matsya Avatar of Lord Vishnu.
Later, we paused outside the jetty area of Nani Daman and indulged in “boat-watching”. The lighthouse across the river seemed to be surveying the area and ensuring the safety of everything within its purview.
Moti Daman, the Big Fort:
This fort complex houses several government offices and residences. Our walk inside the Moti Daman complex took us past the Pargola Garden, a memorial, and the Secretariat. The Church of Bom Jesus was not open. A walk on the sturdy fort walls offers unobstructed views of the Daman Ganga and the vast expanse of the Arabian Sea.
At the end of the day, Junior was engaged in plenty of action at the children’s play area near the jetty, while B and I conjured up stories about the fishing boats nearby.
Sunset at Daman:
On the west coast, the sunset can be a marvelous treat for weary eyes and tired spirits. In Daman, head to the seaside to watch the sun’s gradual descent over the horizon. If you are lucky (as we were), you will witness a spectacular show.
Useful Links:
– Daman is an easy getaway from Mumbai and Pune. The nearest railway station is Vapi.
– For more information, please see http://damandiutourism.in/