Pull out your favourite sunglasses and beach wear, it's time to explore the best islands of India. Get a tan, indulge yourself with a fruit punch or a cooling tender coconut and some good beach music with your favourite novel in hand.
India offers more than 100 such islands to explore on its coasts with a mixture of religion and leisure. Go on a long vacation or simply plan a weekend, here are the must visit islands in India.
Andaman and Nicobar Islands
572 sun bleached islands form the Andaman and Nicobar islands which make for a fulfilling long vacation. Neil islands, Havelock islands and Viper islands are among the tourists' favourite here.
Photo Courtesy: Venkatesh K
Lakshadweep Islands
A group of 36 islands that echo the beauty and luxury of nature, the Lakshadweep islands are a great place to spend quality time with family and friends. Clear seas and clear skies will mean clear minds as well.
Photo Courtesy: Lenish Namath
Vypin Island, Kerala
The place where the Portuguese set up the famous Our Lady of Hope church and other religious institutions is this small island called Vypin or Vypeen in the Ernakulam city of Kerala.
Photo Courtesy: Arnab J Deka
Butterfly Island, Goa
Though Goa is all about beaches, there are a few that are lesser explored. One among them is the Butterfly Island. There are dolphins that surround the beach here and tourists visit the beach taking a boat ride from Palolem beach.
Photo Courtesy: Gili Chupak
Netrani Island
Another lesser known island situated along the Arabian sea is the Netrani Island off the coast in Karnataka. Also called the Pigeon island, Netrani island is situated 9 nautical miles from the famed temple town of Murudeshwara.
Photo Courtesy: Chetansv
Rameswaram
Located in Gulf of Mannar between India and Sri Lanka is this pilgrim centre called Rameswaram. The Pamban bridge connects the island of Rameswaram to the mainland.
Photo Courtesy: tn.nic
Sacred Islands
There are three sacred river islands in the stretch of river Kaveri - Srirangapatna, Shivanasamudra and Srirangam - adi ranga, madhya ranga, antya ranga respectively that form a sacred pilgrim tour for the Hindu Vaishnavaites. Srirangam is located in Tamil Nadu whereas the other two sacred islands are located in Karnataka.
Photo Courtesy: Rockuzz