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Silvassa

Silvassa

State

Dadra and Nagar Haveli

Country

India

Continent

Asia

Size

16 KM2

Population

98,265

Spending Budget

$89 - $173

Famous For

  • Small scale cottage industries
  • Lakes
  • Rivers

Best Time to Visit

  • January
  • February
  • November
  • December

History

Until the end of the 19th century, Silvassa was just one of many small villages in Portuguese India. Its importance started to grow in 1885, when the Portuguese Administration, under Governor Carlos Eugénio Correia da Silva, decided to transfer the seat of Pragana Nagar Avely from Darará to further inland. By decree of 11 February 1885, Silvassa was created as a town, with the name of Vila de Paço d'Arcos. However, the original name prevailed and the town continued to be mainly known as Silvassa and referred to as such in official documents. It continued to stay the district capital until the Indian Invasion of 1954.

Present Day

In 1961, amidst Indian preparation for the invasion of Goa, Daman, and Diu, K.G. Badlani, an officer of the Indian Administrative Service was, for one day, designated the Prime Minister of Dadra and Nagar Haveli, so that, as Head of State, he could sign an agreement with the Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru, and formally merge Dadra and Nagar Haveli with the Republic of India. The Tenth Amendment of the Constitution of India was passed to incorporate Dadra and Nagar Haveli as a union territory, effective 11 August 1961. On 31 December 1974 a treaty was signed between India and Portugal on recognition of India's sovereignty over Goa, Daman, Diu, Dadra and Nagar Haveli. In December 2019, the Parliament of India passed legislation to merge Dadra and Nagar Haveli with the nearby union territory of Daman and Diu to create a single union territory to be known as Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu on 26 January 2020. Dadra and Nagar Haveli will be one of the three districts of the new union territory.

Future

Silvassa is situated along the northern bank of Daman Ganga river and is the capital city of Dadra and Nagar Haveli. The city has a population of ~1 lakh people and the Union Territory has a population of ~3.5 lakh which has grown at the fastest growth rate of over 55% based on decennial growth rate. The city also witnesses a major influx of transient population due to industrial and tourism activities. The city is developing into a major industrial hub with textiles, plastics, FMCG, chemicals, heavy engineering and many other industries. The city is also known for its lush green surroundings and natural beauty with a multitude of tourist spots such as gardens, parks, lakes located both inside and in outskirts of the city. The city is also famous for Swaminarayan Temple on the banks of river Daman Ganga. This has given boost to the hospitality industry with several resorts, hotels, restaurants and allied businesses in the city. In July 2014, Government of India formally announced the Smart City Scheme to build 100 smart cities across India. An April 2015 announcement detailed the selection process of cities based on a Smart Cities Challenge Competition process. Silvassa has been nominated from Dadra and Nagar Haveli to participate in this Challenge. The development and integration of smart initiatives in the city would be funded by the central and state government, along with locally generated funds. The top 20 cities would be short-listed from amongst the 100 cities for implementation in the first year. This challenge holds great promise for the Silvassa and all the key officials are working hard towards the selection of Silvassa as a top Smart City.
Must Visit Places ------------

Vanganga Garden

Vanganga Garden is one of the best places to visit in Silvassa if you wish to spend some time in the lap of nature. It is stretched across an area of 7.5 hectares and has paved walkways for running in different directions. Different varieties of trees and plants are clustered in the garden area that makes it look like a mini forest. You can also spot small fountains in the garden that look extremely spellbinding in the evening due to the lighting arrangement. It also has a beautiful lake that is framed with a jogging track and a few restaurants for recreational purposes. You can enjoy boating on the lake, or you can even head to the garden to have a picnic or family outing.

Tribal Cultural Museum

The Tribal Cultural Museum is one of the best places to visit in Silvassa if you’re a history buff or an inquisitive soul. It provides a rare opportunity to get acquainted with the lifestyle of tribal people of Silvassa. It exhibits tribal objects like hunting tools, handmade musical instruments, kitchen articles, fishing gear, etc. The entire museum spans across an outdoor space and two medium-sized rooms and is managed by the state government. You can also spot here wedding dresses of the brides and photos of the eventful ceremonies that were celebrated within the tribal communities. The tourists from all across the world visit this museum to have an intricate view of the cultural legacy of Silvassa.

Our Lady of Piety Church

This iconic Catholic church is one of the most beautiful edifices that is known for its breathtaking architecture. It reminds the visitors of the tales of the bygone era and is revered to be the central spot for devotion. The church was opened for public visit on 27th October 1889, and it is reckoned to be one of the oldest churches in Silvassa. This church has stained glass, wooden pews, window panes, wooden high altar and Mural of the Last Supper. The church was damaged due to an earthquake in 1912 and was closed down for renovation, but it was again opened for a public visit in June 1924. This stunning structure of divinity and peace remains steadfast even today, which is a declaration of the engineering aptitudes during that era.

BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Temple

This temple is located on the banks of DamanGanga River and is known for its beautiful artwork and splendid architecture. The temple is surrounded by green lawns which further accentuates its ethereal beauty. It is dedicated to Bhagwan Swaminarayan and is extremely revered among the Gujaratis. It has an intricately designed central mandir that has been built using light pink marbles and it is one of the serene places to visit in Silvassa. The most unique feature of this temple is that neither cement nor structural steel has been used for its construction. It has artistically decorated domes and the walls of the temple display the idol of famous Indian saints. The melodious prayer chants and aartis by the priests give an immensely divine aura to this temple.

SHOPPING IN SILVASSA

Silvassa may be a paradise for those searching for oversewn products. Kelvin Road is the main market in Silvassa where products like Warli paintings and paper baggage area units are available. Sliced wood smoking pipes, Bamboo crafts, palm-leaf mats area unit different products that area unit price shopping for. Silvassa is a must-visit place if a traveller wants to explore the bridge between history and the present world.

VASONA LION SAFARI

Vasona Lion parkland, a significant attraction, is ten kilometres from Silvassa. The twenty-acre land is essentially a part of Dadra

BOATING IN DUDHNI LAKE

Dudhni Lake, set in Silvassa is made on the reservoir of Madhuban Dam. It offers watersports and water travel. One will merely rent a Shikhara and float on the lake, whereas looking at the sunset. Soothing and reposeful. Their area unit row boats managed by the rowers themselves, do investigate the water level before you go, additionally, the drive to the place from Silvassa may be a bit difficult throughout monsoons

SATMALIYA DEER PARK

Located on the KhanvelSilvassa road, Satmaliya ruminant Park is home to Chinkara, Blackbucks and noticed ruminant. The park is set about the Vasona Lion hunting expedition and maybe a very hip picnic spot. excluding different types of a ruminant, the park has birds like Peacock, Flameback peckerwood, Thrushes and lots of additional. There\’s a watchtower within the park from wherever you\’ll be able to get pleasure from a sweeping read of the park and therefore the Madhuban dam. You can take a government-operated Gypsy van for a 30-min park tour. only 1 van goes into the park, therefore it\’s better to succeed in the park early to flee an extended queue for the tour. Also, solely a restricted variety of tourists are allowed within the park on a daily basis to attenuate sound pollution.