Soothing Silvassa

The 'city in the woods' with its Portuguese past, rich tribal culture and luxurious resorts makes for a perfect weekend getaway

By Eisha Sarkar

Posted On Mumbai Mirror on Tuesday, May 19, 2009 at 06:25:30 PM

At just 185 kilometres away from Mumbai, Silvassa, the capital of the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli makes for an ideal weekend getaway for stressed corporate executives. All it offers you is the chance to walk in the woods, breathe in some fresh air, revel in the beauty all around you and simply do nothing. So get going...

Portuguese past
Dadra and Nagar Haveli was under the Maratha rule till 1779, after which they gifted it to the Portuguese for aggregated revenue of Rs 12,000. In 1954, the territory was liberated and the local people themselves carried on the administration for about eight years. On August 11, 1961, Dadra-Nagar Haveli became a Union Territory. The remnants of the Portugese dot the town in the form of churches, schools, fort walls and bungalows. Silvassa is a manufacturing hub for packaging, chemical, glass and electrical goods industry.

In the woods
Silva, in Portuguese means woods. So it hardly comes as a surprise that you see a fascinating variety of natural flora and fauna abound. Wild cacti, beautiful butterflies, hiking trails - you'll find them all in the midst of these dry deciduous forests.

One of the most popular tourist destinations is the Hirva Van, a garden named after the local tribal deity "Hirva," meaning greenery is at Pipria on the Silvassa-Dadra Road. There is also the island garden, right in the middle of the Vanganga Lake nearly five kilometres away from Silvassa.

Resort town
A number of resorts thrive on the banks of the river Daman Ganga, with room rates starting from Rs 2,500 upwards. What you get is the view of the narrow, nearly dry riverbed, along with a package of recreational activities - swimming pools, bars, discotheques, playgrounds, Ayurvedic massage parlours etc.

Tribal zone
Right in the heart of Silvassa is bungalow-type tiled-roof house with clay figures. Tribal Cultural Museum showcases the works of the tribes that constitute nearly 80 per cent of the population of Dadra and Nagar Haveli. The main tribes are Dhodia, Kokna and Varli with small groups of Koli, Kathod, Naika and Dublas.

The museum displays various household tools, ornaments (for both men and women), farming, hunting and fishing equipment, musical instruments, weapons, swords and armours that are key to the tribal way of life.

There are also photographs of tribal dances - the Gheria dance of the Dubla tribe, the Bohada mask dance of the Koknas and the Dhol dance. And if you like Warli art, this is one place you wouldn't want to miss.

Safari dampener
The deer park and the lion safari at Vasona near Silvassa, are listed in all tourist guides that are available at hotels and resorts here. However, if you are looking for a wild encounter, this is not the place. At the deer park, if you're lucky enough, you may spot a neelgay or two.

The lion safari is a big disappointment though. You have to shell out Rs 25 per head for a ride in the 'safari bus' that takes you around the nature park. Sure, you'll see lions - just a 'tamed' couple - lying there by the road waiting for you to take their pictures. You may as well have gone to your local zoo for the experience.

How to get there
A three-hour drive from Mumbai along National Highway 8 via Manor and Talasari. The nearest railhead is at Vapi, Gujarat around 21 kilometres from Silvassa.