Religious/ Spiritual

Diu Island, Saurashtra, India.

The ruins of the Fudam Church still reminds one of its old glory. Fortum dumar "Panikotha" as is called by the locals is a mini Fort in the sea. Panikotha is a ship-like concrete structure constructed on a rock surrounded by sea on all sides. It commands a magnificent view of the fort, the city of Diu Jetty, the new bridge Ghoghala and Ahmadpur Mandvi. At high tide, boat ride to Panikotha is a thrilling adventure in itself. The Church of our Lady of the Immaculate Conception in the small village of Fudam (about 5km west of Diu Town).

It was the friary of the Franciscans. It was built in 1593. The Church is still in use and the cloister has been converted into a hospital.

St. Paul's church is dedicated to our Lady of Immaculate Conception. The construction of the church was started in 1601 and was completed in the year 1610. The main facade of the church is perhaps the most elaborate of all Portuguese churches in India. The façade has been illuminated by floodlights.

Jallandhar Shrine is located on a hillock close to the beach. This small shrine crowned with a dome, contains a niche wherein a stone carved face of Jallandhar is seen. Near by there is also a temple of Goddess Chandrika. The beach is at a distance of 1 km from Diu Town. This small shrine crowned with a dome, contains a niche wherein a stone carved face of the demon Jallandhar is seen. Nearby, is the temple of Goddess Chandrika.

This is situated 3 Km away from Diu in Fudam village. Five shivlings, are located in the midst of the rocks on the seashore, washed by the tidal waves of the sea. It is believed that the 5 Pandavas during their exile worshipped Lord Shiva in this temple.

The Gangeshwar Temple is unique as it has Shivlingas which are washed by the sea. Located at the Jallandhar beach, there are many other attractions nearby.

The Somanath Mahadev Temple is an important place of worship in Daman. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the temple is situated in the village Dabhel. It is believed that the Shivalinga was miraculously originated at its present place on the request of a monk who was a true devotee of Shiva. This miraculous incident is believed to have taken place in the19th century, which induced people to hold this place as holy place and they built a small temple. It was rebuilt in the year 1972-73 with glass decorative. It is a pleasant spot connected by good roads.