Divar Island – Island Of Untouched Lively Culture
Divar Island, located 10 kilometres from Panjim in Goa, is a slice of heaven tucked away in dense woods amidst nature's beauty. This island, which is only accessible by ferry from Old Goa, is synonymous with natural beauty, serenity, and tranquillity. This island has a rich history that dates back to a time when it was home to a large number of Indians, particularly those of Konkani descent. However, due to a terrible plague epidemic and Portuguese invasions during that era, people fled the island and old Goa areas. Divar island was a popular pilgrimage destination centuries ago due to the presence of several famous temples, which were later relocated to other locations to protect them.
As it is isolated from city life, the area is commonly referred to as a "village stuck in time." It is still unexplored and unexploited by tourism or commercialisation. Divar Island is dotted with vintage houses built in the Portuguese style, traditional churches, and is surrounded by lush paddy fields. The term ‘divar’ is derived from the word ‘dipavati’, which means ‘small island’ in Konkani.
- Best time to visit: Mid-November – Mid-February
- How to reach: 10 mins ferry ride from Viceroy’s Arch in Old Goa
- What to see: Our Lady Of Compassion Church, Shree Ganesh Sateri Temple, European Houses and Portuguese landmarks.
- Where to stay: Divar Island Retreat Guest House
- Things to do: Just for your info, Dil Chahta Hai was also shot here. So, you can recreate some of your favorite scenes from that movie here.
- Tips: Don’t miss out on taking beautiful pictures out here as you will get the same view as in the movie Dil Chahta Hai.
- Location: Goa, India
