Dadra and Nagar Haveli facts for kids
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Dadra and Nagar Haveli is a special territory in India. It's called a "union territory" because it's governed directly by the central Indian government. This area covers about 188 square miles (487 square kilometers). To give you an idea of its size, it's bigger than the country of Andorra, but smaller than Saint Lucia. Its capital city is Silvassa.
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Where is Dadra and Nagar Haveli?
Dadra and Nagar Haveli is located on the western side of India. It's actually made up of two different parts:
- Nagar Haveli is the larger part, located between the states of Maharashtra and Gujarat.
- Dadra is a much smaller area, which is an enclave (a piece of land completely surrounded by another territory) within the state of Gujarat.
Even though they are separate, they are managed together as one union territory. The nearby Daman and Diu were also union territories, and in 2020, they all joined together to form a new, larger union territory called Dadra and Nagar Haveli and Daman and Diu.
A Look at Its History
For a very long time, Dadra and Nagar Haveli were ruled by the Portuguese Empire. They were part of what was known as Portuguese India for over 450 years!
Becoming Part of India
- 1783: The Portuguese gained control of Nagar Haveli.
- 1785: They also took over Dadra.
- 1954: Local people, with help from volunteers, took control of the area from the Portuguese. For a few years, it was self-governed.
- 1961: Dadra and Nagar Haveli officially became a union territory of India. This happened after India passed a special law to make it part of the country.
- 2020: Dadra and Nagar Haveli joined with the nearby territories of Daman and Diu to form a single, larger union territory.
Nature and Wildlife
Dadra and Nagar Haveli is known for its beautiful green landscapes and forests. About 40% of the land is covered by trees, which is great for nature lovers!
Forests and Rivers
The main river flowing through the territory is the Daman Ganga River. This river is very important for the local people, providing water for farming and daily life. The forests here are mostly tropical dry deciduous, meaning many trees lose their leaves in the dry season.
Animals You Might See
The forests are home to many different animals. You might spot:
- Deer: Such as the chital (also called spotted deer) and sambar deer.
- Wild Boar: A type of wild pig.
- Leopards: Though they are shy and harder to spot.
- Birds: Many kinds of birds live here, making it a good place for birdwatching.
There are also several wildlife sanctuaries, like the Khanvel Wildlife Sanctuary, which help protect these animals and their homes.
Culture and People
The people of Dadra and Nagar Haveli have a rich and diverse culture.
Languages Spoken
The main languages spoken here are Gujarati and Marathi, because the territory is surrounded by the states where these languages are common. Hindi is also widely understood, and English is used for official purposes.
Traditional Art
One of the most famous art forms from this region is Warli painting. This is a type of tribal art created by the Warli people, who are one of the largest indigenous groups in the area. Warli paintings are usually simple, using basic shapes like circles, triangles, and squares to show scenes from daily life, festivals, and nature. They are often painted on mud walls with white pigment.
Festivals
People in Dadra and Nagar Haveli celebrate many festivals with great enthusiasm. Some of the important ones include:
- Diwali: The festival of lights.
- Holi: The festival of colors.
- Ganesh Chaturthi: Celebrating the elephant-headed god Ganesha.
- Makar Sankranti: A harvest festival.
Traditional folk dances and music are also a big part of their celebrations.
Interesting Facts
- Capital City: The capital, Silvassa, is a growing city with many industries.
- Tourism: The territory is a popular tourist spot, especially for people from nearby cities, because of its natural beauty, gardens, and quiet atmosphere.
- Vanganga Lake: This beautiful lake and garden is a popular picnic spot and a great place to relax.
Images for kids
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Daman, Dadra and Nagar Haveli during the Portuguese period
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Old map of the territory.
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Baby Cheetal Deer
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Silvassa Town Hall
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Blossom at Vanganga Lake, Dadra
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Warli Painting at Saskriti Kendra, New Delhi
