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Silvassa, a former Portuguese colony, is known for its picturesque settings, exotic sceneries, and dense forests. Nestled amidst the hills of the Western Ghats, and surrounded by lush greenery, Silvassa is known for its breathtaking boulevards and fascinating culture. Being a magnificent city with rich art and culture, there is no dearth of places to visit in Silvassa.
Silvassa is situated towards the south of Gujarat, and close to the region of Vapi. It is the capital of the union territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli. Since Gujarat is a dry state, Silvassa sees a lot of party people coming here to enjoy tax-free alcohol. It is also a treat for adventure lovers. It offers a plethora of water sport activities to its visitors. If you love decorating your house with alluring handicrafts, then Silvassa has a lot of beautiful things in store for you! You can buy the enticing Warli Paintings and cute, artistic paper bags here. If you are an avid foodie, you will be spoilt for choice here! The restaurants here serve delicious Gujarati as well as international cuisines.
Silvassa is a hidden paradise. Even though it is a full-fledged commercial city, and is steadily evolving into a smart city, Silvassa has not lost its rustic charm. Deep within, it remains the quaint Portuguese town with an irresistible old-world charm! There is no dearth of places to visit in Silvassa. You just need to be full f an adventurous spirit to grasp the essence of this city completely.
One of the major attractions in Silvassa is the Lion Safari Wildlife Park, which is situated at a distance of almost 10km from the main city. The park is spread over twenty acres and forms a part of the area of Dadra and Nagar Haveli Wildlife Sanctuary. The Lion Safari Wildlife Park has been given a dedicated area inside the wildlife sanctuary. A wall has been built around it. True to its name, the Lion Safari Wildlife Park houses majestic Asiatic Lions.
Situated at a distance of 5 km from the capital city of Silvassa amidst the Island Gardens, the Vanganga Lake is a perfect place to spend a leisurely day. It is spread across acres of greenery and features colorful flower beds and well-maintained gardens. Visit it during the evenings to take a stroll or do some paddle boating. You can also sit here in silence while enjoying the various hues and colors of this place.
A trip to Silvassa is incomplete without a visit to the Tribal Cultural Museum. As Silvassa is home to many varied tribes, this museum attempts to appreciate and safeguard the culture and rich legacy of these tribes in its untouched form.
Silvassa boasts of great tribal diversity and a rich cultural legacy. This museum is symbolic of that. It showcases the various aspects and facets of the lifestyle of the tribes who have been living here for ages. The entrance to the museum is made of beautiful handmade garlands, also known as Toran. You will see a unique set of masks, musical instruments, fishing implements, and life-size sculptures on display here. The museum exhibits puppets, tribal armors such as bows and daggers, their instruments, and tools, and ancient artifacts. Several photographs depict their way of life, festivals, and celebrations.
Island Garden, with its thatched huts, quaint bridges, and a shimmering lake in between will steal your heart in the blink of a moment. This place is a treat to sore eyes and tired souls. You will forget your worries just by looking at it. Visit this place to experience beauty in its purest form. The setting of this place is so picture-perfect that it has been featured in Bollywood movies multiple times.
Located around 20km south of Silvassa, Khanwel is fairly popular among the lovers of nature. If you are looking for a relaxing getaway in the vicinity of nature, away from the monotonous routine of city life, then Khanwel is the right place for you. Khanwel is blessed with a crystal clear blue river, primeval forests, tales of ancient India, and exciting folklores- enough to keep you intrigued and awestruck for a few days. Bask under the sun here while enjoying the gushing sounds of waters of the Sarkartod river. Enjoy the chirping of birds and rustling of leaves as you relax and rejuvenate amidst lush green surroundings.
Cascading waterfalls and enticing flowerbeds make this place an idyllic picnic spot. Meaning Green Forest, Hirwa Van Gardens, true to its name, is surrounded by greenery. Come here to witness the glory of nature to its fullest.
Dudhni is situated at a distance of about 20km from Silvassa. A large riverside by the Damanganga River, the Dudhni Lake is a perfect place for adventure lovers. It offers a plethora of water sports such as jet skis, canoeing, speed boats, and kayaking. You can also go on a hike here, and spend some quality time with the tribes nearby. The winding pathways that zigzag through thick forests make for an exciting trekking trail. If you love trekking and hiking, then you should plan a trek here. While trekking, you will come across many tribes and will be able to experience their culture closely. The trekkers are allowed to set up their tents near the banks of the river. It is truly an exhilarating experience to trek here.
Constructed by the Portuguese in the Late 18th century, the Church of Our Lady of Piety is one of the oldest standing buildings in Silvassa. Its interior and outer arches have been skilfully and intricately embellished, and form an important part of the church. It is a stunning piece of architecture, and its proximity to the Tribal Museum makes it one of the must-visit places in Silvassa if you wish to understand the history and culture of this city. Silvassa has many fascinating catholic churches because it was a Portuguese colony, but this one by far is the most impressive structure built by the Portuguese here.
Silvassa is a beautiful city that houses some of the most fascinating gardens, lakes, and churches. It is also known for exciting safaris and water sports. If you wish to enjoy Silvassa to the fullest, then the best time to visit here is when the weather is pleasant, and the skies are clear. Winters are quite pleasant and appealing here. The winter months start from October and last until March. This is the perfect time to explore the city. During monsoons, Silvassa experiences a lot of rainfall, which would seriously restrict your movement, and summers are unbearably hot and humid. Monsoons, no doubt, make the city extremely green and beautiful, but you would not have access to a lot of outdoor activities at that time. Summers are even worse, because the temperature crosses 42 degrees Celsius, making it extremely difficult to enjoy the city, especially during the daytime. Winter is the perfect season to get the best out of Silvassa.
By air: Silvassa does not have an airport. The nearest airport to this city is Surat Airport situated at a distance of 101 km.
By train: The nearest railway stations to Silvassa are Karambeli and Bhilad in Gujarat. Both these stations are at a distance of 12 km from Silvassa.
By Bus: The nearest bus stand is Bhilad in Gujarat. There are no direct buses to Silvassa from any major city.
The city of Silvassa derives its name from the Portuguese word ‘Silva’, that means wood. Silvassa’s history can be traced back to the 17th century. It was initially under the rule of the Kohli tribe but was invaded by the Rajputs in the 17th century. Later, the Marathas laid a siege on it in the 18th century. During this time, the British had become a formidable force in India, and they were waging wars to capture the entire country. To resist them, the Marathas and Peshwas, who were in power then, allied with the Portuguese on 17 December 1779. In 1885, Silvassa became the head town of the Portuguese territory and renamed it Paço d’Arcos. The administrative functions of the Portuguese colony in India were carried on from here. However, the old name Silvassa was more popular with the people here, and it prevailed. After India gained independence from the British, the people of Silvassa also wanted to be free from the clutches of the Portuguese. In 1961, the town came under the Republic of India. In 1974, a final treaty was signed between India and Portugal, which gave India control over Silvassa, and it became a part of the Indian state. It is now an Indian Union Territory.
Silvassa is a city brimming with colorful culture and varied languages. 75% of the population of this city consists of tribes. The most prominent of all the tribes found here include Warli, Dhodia, and Kona. Some of the smaller tribes here are Koli, Kathodi, and Naika among others. The Warli tribe people are nature worshippers. They believe that the sun and moon are the eyes of God. They play a unique musical instrument called Ghaggal, which is made from a gourd, bamboo, and iron strings. One of the most prominent features of the Warli tribes is their art. They are known for the Warli Paintings. These paintings involve the use of chewed bamboo sticks to make abstract designs. Some of these paintings date back to 3000 BC.
Another prominent tribe here is the Dhodias. They are a believer of Christianity and celebrate a festival called the ‘Kanser festival’, dedicated to Goddess Kanseri, who is the goddess of food. Another interesting festival that they celebrate here is the ‘Vagh Baras’ festival. During these festivals, people revel by painting themselves as tigers and cattle and participate in a race. In the end, the entire village sits together to eat their meal. English, Portuguese, and Gujarati are the official languages of Silvassa. Another popular language is Warli, which is another dialect of Konkani. Marathi is also spoken in some parts of Silvassa.
Silvassa is a wonderful city that efficiently blends its rich past with modernity. It is a calm place replete with stunning tourist attractions. Its aloofness from the hustle and bustle of the cities makes Silvassa one of the foremost interesting destinations in India. So what are you waiting for? Plan a trip to Silvassa and make the most out of your holidays!
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April 15, 2024 
