Minicoy Island (Maliku Atoll)is the southern most Island in Lakshadweep situated in Arabian Sea 8o-16. 58 Sec North Lattitude 73o-03 25 Sec East longitude, located 202 n.miles from Cochin. (1 n.miles = 1.852 kms)
Population : 9495(2001)
Land Area : 4.80 sq.Kms. It is about 10.6 Kms long
Climate : The climate of the island is moderate.(Just like Kerala)
Language : Mahl
At A Glance : It is the southern most island in Lakshadweep, crescent shaped and has one of the largest lagoons.Viringili is the small islet that you can see on the south. Minicoy is set apart from the Northern group of islands by its culture; the islanders are employed as seamen in ocean going vessels the world over. The island has systematically arranged village system known as "Avah"; each Avah is a cluster of houses which is headed by an elected elderly man called Moopan or Bodukaka(Big Brother)and a Moopathi or Bodudatha (Elder Sister) assisted by a 2nd Bodukaka and a 2nd Bodudatha. First Bodukaka looks afetr the internal matters of the village and 2nd Bodukaka the external affairs.Traditionally all powers to manage village affairs are vested in him. Each village has a village house beautifully decorated and maintained. Each village has a village house where ‘baemedu’ (assemblage of villagesrs) is held. The assemblae of people from all the villages is known as ‘havaru’. As source of income a avillage has fishing boats, country crafts and cocounut trees. Common feasts are conducted at the village house during the celebrations of Eid and other festive occasions. The folk dances of Minicoy are ‘Lava’, Thaara’, ‘Dandi’, ‘Fuli’ and ‘Bandiya’. Colourful and elegant race boat known as ‘Jahadhoni’ used for race, reception of dignitaries and for annual picnic to Viringili/Raggan. Mahl is the spoken language. Minicoy is an important centre of tuna fishing. The Light house of the island is one of the oldest and was constructed in 1885.
How to reach Minicoy : Four passenger ships- m.v. KAVARATTI,m.v.TIPPU SULTAN, m.v. BHARAT SEEMA, m.v.AMINDIVI and m.v.MINICOY operate between Cochin and Lakshadweep. The passage takes between 14 to 20 hours. The ships offer different classes of accommodation; A/C Deluxe Class with two berth cabins, A/C First Class with four berth cabins and Tourist Class with A/C seating. The ships have cafeteria and snack bars, entertainment lounge, video shows and upper-deck promenade etc in MV Tipu Sultan and MV Bharat Seema.. A doctor is available on call on board these ships. MV Amindivi and MV Minicoy also offers comfortable A/C accommodation.
Population : 9495(2001)
Land Area : 4.80 sq.Kms. It is about 10.6 Kms long
Climate : The climate of the island is moderate.(Just like Kerala)
Language : Mahl
At A Glance : It is the southern most island in Lakshadweep, crescent shaped and has one of the largest lagoons.Viringili is the small islet that you can see on the south. Minicoy is set apart from the Northern group of islands by its culture; the islanders are employed as seamen in ocean going vessels the world over. The island has systematically arranged village system known as "Avah"; each Avah is a cluster of houses which is headed by an elected elderly man called Moopan or Bodukaka(Big Brother)and a Moopathi or Bodudatha (Elder Sister) assisted by a 2nd Bodukaka and a 2nd Bodudatha. First Bodukaka looks afetr the internal matters of the village and 2nd Bodukaka the external affairs.Traditionally all powers to manage village affairs are vested in him. Each village has a village house beautifully decorated and maintained. Each village has a village house where ‘baemedu’ (assemblage of villagesrs) is held. The assemblae of people from all the villages is known as ‘havaru’. As source of income a avillage has fishing boats, country crafts and cocounut trees. Common feasts are conducted at the village house during the celebrations of Eid and other festive occasions. The folk dances of Minicoy are ‘Lava’, Thaara’, ‘Dandi’, ‘Fuli’ and ‘Bandiya’. Colourful and elegant race boat known as ‘Jahadhoni’ used for race, reception of dignitaries and for annual picnic to Viringili/Raggan. Mahl is the spoken language. Minicoy is an important centre of tuna fishing. The Light house of the island is one of the oldest and was constructed in 1885.
How to reach Minicoy : Four passenger ships- m.v. KAVARATTI,m.v.TIPPU SULTAN, m.v. BHARAT SEEMA, m.v.AMINDIVI and m.v.MINICOY operate between Cochin and Lakshadweep. The passage takes between 14 to 20 hours. The ships offer different classes of accommodation; A/C Deluxe Class with two berth cabins, A/C First Class with four berth cabins and Tourist Class with A/C seating. The ships have cafeteria and snack bars, entertainment lounge, video shows and upper-deck promenade etc in MV Tipu Sultan and MV Bharat Seema.. A doctor is available on call on board these ships. MV Amindivi and MV Minicoy also offers comfortable A/C accommodation.