Ever since the 1960s India has become one of the world’s major tourist destinations. While the first visitors may have come seeking enlightenment as part of the hippy movement, today’s tourists are looking for something very different indeed.
In 2023, over 9 million of them came to the country, many for a holiday of a lifetime. Tourist hotspots like Agra, Goa and Mumbai may have been where many visited. But a good number also headed for the country’s Gujarat region and one place in particular – Daman.
This Union Territory is quickly becoming what’s known as a honey-pot destination attracting not bees but thousands of tourists every year.
A Brief History of Daman
There has been a settlement at Daman ever since the 1st Century CE. It was chosen for its strategic position straddling the Damanganga River and was ruled by the Sultanate of Gujarat for several centuries
However, in 1531 it was handed over to the Portuguese who used it as a major port for their trans-Arabian sea trade with East Africa.
Portugal continued to control the region right up until 1961 when Nehru ordered troops to reclaim Daman for India.
Today the district has a population of a little over 190,000 people making it one of the country’s smallest regions by capita. Its Portuguese heritage remains, both in the style of some of the architecture – as well as the fact that it’s twinned with Coimbra, Portugal’s fourth-largest city. What to see and do
For such an unassuming place, the area has a surprising number of attractions and this is the key reason why many tourists are starting to add Daman to their itineraries. Here are five places not to miss.
St Jerome’s Fort
Built by the Portuguese between the years of 1614 and 1672, St Jerome’s Fort sits behind the quay on the north bank of the Damanganga River. Climb its imposing ramparts for great views of the many fishing trawlers moored at the quayside. In the early evening, you’ll even see some of them bringing in the day’s catch.
The Church of Bom Jesus
Daman is also notable for having some of the best-preserved Christian buildings in the whole of Asia. You will find the two most important ones in the Moti Daman compound to the south of the river. Along with the Church of Our Lady of the Rosary, the most impressive of these is the Church of Bom Jesus. Dating back to 1603 its huge Baroque façade provides a dramatic entrance to its huge, vaulted interior. The Governor’s Palace and Lighthouse
Moti Daman has long been the administrative centre of Daman so this is where you’ll also find the impressive Governor’s Palace. Great for photo-opportunities you’ll also find many interpretation boards giving great insights into the area’s history. The restored lighthouse looking out to the west offers stunning views of the sunset over the sea.
Samudra Narayan Temple
This small, but perfectly-formed temple is where Lord Krishna is said to have prayed before building the city of Dwarka. It’s an oasis of calm where you can sit and reflect, with outside seating areas that also offer spectacular views of the river and the historic buildings of Moti Daman.
Jampore Beach
A little way along the coast to the south lies the sandy Jampore Beach. Lined with beach huts serving drinks and snacks, it’s perfect for a day’s sun-worshipping as the waves of the Arabian Sea lap around you.
Nightlife
Many people are also heading to Daman specifically for its nightlife. One of the biggest recent attractions has been the arrival of the Deltin Daman Casino which you can read all about at Casino.in, in case you want some essential info before you arrive.
As a Union Territory bars in Dalman are licensed to sell alcohol unlike in the rest of the dry state that surrounds it. This means that weekends are particularly lively with many Gujarat residents travelling to the region to enjoy nights out. There are also many first-class restaurants serving local specialities including the Aqua Lounge and the seafood restaurant Daman Delite.
Getting there and where to stay
Essentially there are two travel options. The nearest railway station is at Vapi 12 km away. This is on the Western Railway with connections to major cities including Mumbai and Ahmedabad. If you prefer to travel by road the bus station is in Nani Daman on the north of the river.
There’s a good choice of accommodation to suit most budgets including the Gurukripa Hotel and Sukh Sagar for a more basic, and cheaper, alternative.
So with its burgeoning reputation, many are hoping Daman will soon be joining the list of India’s top tourist destinations. It certainly offers something for almost everyone, whether it’s history, sun worship or nightlife that floats your particular boat.