Port Blair - its historic Cellular Jail OR Kala Pani OR Emerald Islands

STATE - ANDAMAN AND NICOBAR ISLANDS
   
DISTANCE - 5.19 KM From Bamboo Flat

 
CONNECTION
 
By Air : Port Blair has its own airport named Vir Savarkar Airport. There are regular domestic flights from and to different Indian cities like Delhi and Kolkata.

By Sea : There are regular ships connecting Port Blair to mainland cities like Chennai, Kolkata, and Vishakhapatnam. M. V. Nicobar, M. V. Nancowry, M. V. Swaraj Dweep, M. V. Harshavardhana and M. V. Akbar are the ships that ferry visitors to Port Blair.
 
ABOUT PORT BLAIR
 
Being the capital of Andaman and Nicobar Islands itself makes it one of the most important places on this Union Territory. Situated on the east coast of South Andaman Island, it is the only island in the entire archipelago with an airport. This makes Port Blair the main entry point into Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Port Blair is named after Lieutenant Archibald Blair. It came into prominence when the first British Penal colony was established here in the year 1858. Situated on the Viper Island, it became one of the most dreaded places for convicts and political prisoners. During the time when Indian Freedom movement was at its peak. A new cellular jail was built which came to be famously known as Kala Pani.

Port Blair has a population upwards of 100,000. The population here is an amalgamation of different tribes and religions. This allows one to see many different cultures and traditions on this island.
 
PLACES OF INTERESTS IN PORT BLAIR
 
Viper Island : The Britishers used to harbour convicts here. The first jail was constructed here which was abandoned after the construction of Cellular Jail. It has a gallows atop a hillock, where condemned prisoners were hanged. Sher Ali, who killed Lord Mayo, the Viceroy of India in 1872, was also hanged here.

Ross Island : Once the seat of British power and capital of Andaman Islands, it stands now as a ruin of the bygone days with the old structure almost in debris. A small museum named 'Smritika' holds photographs and the other antiques of the Britishers relevant to these islands.

Corbyn's Cove : Corbyn's Cove, the coconut palm fringed beach, ideal for sun basking, is 7-kms away from port Blair town. Facilities like hotel, restaurant and bar, changing room etc., are available near to the beach. Historical remains like Japanese bunkers can be seen here. Snake Island situated nearby is famous for Scuba Diving .

Chatham : The Chatham Saw Mill, one of the oldest and largest mills in Asia, is built on a tiny island connected to Port Blair by a bridge. It is a storehouse of timber like Padauk, Gurjan, Marble, Satin Wood, etc. This island has the second largest wharf of these islands, where island mainland ships can berth. The island is near the Haddo wharf, which is the largest wharf in the islands.

Gandhi Park : This beautiful park near to the Raj Niwas has facilities like amusement rides, safe water sports, nature trail around the lake, garden, restaurant and historic remains like Japanese temple as well as a bunker.

Marina Park : This park, right on the seashore near to the water sports complex, has amusements rides, children's traffic park and toy train. A suitable place for spending the evenings.

Anthropological Museum : This museum at Phoenix Bay depicts the life of the Paleolithic Islanders. It also houses the models of the aborigines and their tools.

Samudrika (Naval Marine Museum) : Situated opposite to Andaman teal house, Delanipur this museum is meant to create awareness on various aspects of oceanic environment. A good collection of shells, corals and a few species of colourful fishes found in these islands are on display.

Aquarium (Fisheries Museums) : Situated near Andaman water sports complex, it exhibits species of marine life peculiar to the islands and found in the Indo-Pacific Ocean and the Bay of Bengal.

Mini Zoo : Situated at Haddo (Delanipur - Chatham Road), it houses some of the rare species of endemic birds and animals found n these islands.

Cellular Jail : Port Blair's only firm reminder of its gloomy past, the sturdy brick Cellular Jail, overlooks the sea from a small rise in the northeast of town. Built between 1896 and 1905, its tiny solitary cells were quite different and far worse than the dormitories in other prison blocks erected earlier. Only three of the seven wings that originally radiated from the central tower now remain. Visitors can peer into the cells (3m by 3.5m), and imagine the grim condition under which the prisoners existed. The Sound and Light show outlines the history of the prison, and a small museum by the entrance gate exhibits lists of convicts, photographs and grim torture devices.

Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park : This Park is made up of open sea, creeks and fifteen small and large islands covering an area of 281.5-sq-kms. One can see mangrove forests along the creeks and magnificent tropical forests, beautiful beaches, fascinating coral reefs and schools of ornamental fish and marine life. Wandoor is the base to visit the islands in this park like Jolly Buoy and redskin. Glass bottom boats help to take a closer look at the coral colonies. A perfect place for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling.
 
RELIGIOUS PLACES IN PORT BLAIR

• Murugan Temple
• Jama Masjid
• Prem Nagar Church
• Ramakrishna Mission
• Ayyappa Temple

WHEN TO GO PORT BLAIR
 
The best time to visit the city is all year around still to avoid rainy season the months of October to March are the best.
 
WEATHER FORECAST
 
The summer and winter are quiet alike and pleasant with average temperature during the summer being around 30 'C and during winters being 23 'C.
 
FOOD AND RESTURANTS IN PORT BLAIR
 
Annapurna, Lighthouse Residency, Light House Restaurant, Waves, Durbar Hotel & Juice Bar