DADRA AND NAGAR

HAVELI
LAND OF NATURAL BEAUTY
DADRA AND NAGAR HAVELI
LOCATION OF DADRA AND NAGAR HAVELI
1. Dadra and Nagar Haveli, union territory of India, located in the western part of the country and situated
between the states of Gujarat to the north and Maharashtra to the south. It lies some 15 miles (24 km)
from the Arabian Sea and about 80 miles (130 km) north of Mumbai (Bombay).
TOURISM ATTRACTION
TOURISM ATTRACTION

Popular Tourist Attractions in Dadra and Nagar Haveli

1. For those who are nature seekers and love spending time calmly can head to Vanganga Lake Garden,
Hirwa Van Garden, Dudhni Lake, Vandhara Udyan, Madhuban Dam and more. Tourists who love
exploring wildlife can indulge in Silvassa Vasona Lion Safari.
FOOD OF DADRA AND NAGAR HAVELI
FOOD OF DADRA AND NAGAR HAVELI

Dishes like sweet dal, kadhi, and of course lentils are also favorable part of tribal cuisine in Dadra and Nagar
Haveli. The locals of Dadra and Nagar Haveli are also fond of chutney or sweet pickle prepared from the
leaves of raw mangoes, Karanda berries, Ajoola leaves, and other fragrant herbs.
1. Gujarat is one of the neighboring states and the locals in Dadra and Nagar Haveli are highly influenced
by the cooking styles of the Gujaratis.
CULTURE OF DADRA AND NAGAR HAVELI

Culture of Dadra & Nagr Haveli

Dadra and Nagar Haveli is an Indian union territory that lies in the western part of the country. While Nagar
Haveli is located between Maharashtra and Gujrat, Dadra is an enclave that lies 1 km northwest
surrounded by Gujarat on all sides. The shared capital of the place is Silvassa. Once ruled by the Marathas,
the place has a rich history and boasts of a vibrant culture.
1. More than half of the population of the region belongs to different tribal groups. Varlies, Koli, Kokana,
Dhodia, Dublas, Naika and Kathodi are among some of the tribes residing in the Dadra and Nagar Haveli
and the culture, customs and traditions of each of these tribes varies to some extent. Folklores, folk
dances and songs form an integral part of their culture. People belonging to this region are peace
loving and the beauty of the place lies in the fact that different clans live in complete communal
harmony.
MUSIC AND DANCE OF DADRA AND NAGAR
HAVELI
MUSIC AND DANCE OF DADRA AND NAGAR
HAVELI
Music & Dances
The tribal’s residing in capital city Silvassa as well as the Dadra & Nagar Haveli are known for their creativity
and colourful culture. Dance and music are a big part of their lives, and are a must see at tribal festivals and
fairs that you can best experience in Silvassa. Their music instruments are made of locally available material
like clay, gourd, bamboo, dried fruits and vegetables, wood and leather, and are prepared by the tribal’s
themselves. You can see a collection of these instruments at the Tribal Museum in Silvassa.
The tribal dances in Dadra and Nagar Haveli are of many types, each of which is unique in their styles. The
tribal dances in the union territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli are as follows:
Bhavada Dance , Tarpa Dance,
Bohada Dance, Tur and Thali Dance
1. Dhol Dance, Gherria Dance
HISTORY OF DADRA AND NAGAR HAVELI
The history of Dadra and Nagar Haveli begins with the defeat of the Koli chieftains of the region by the Rajput kings. In
the year 1262 a Rajput prince from Rajasthan named Ramsinh established himself as the ruler of Ramnagar, the present-
day Dharampur, which consisted of 8 parganas (a group of villages) and assumed the title Maharana. Nagar Haveli was
one of the Parganas, and its capital was Silvassa.
In 1360 Rana Dharamshah shifted his capital from Nagar Haveli to Nagar Fatehpur.
With the rise of Maratha power, Shivaji Maharaj viewed Ramnagar as an important locality. He captured the region, but
Somshah Rana recaptured it in 1690.
After the Treaty of Vasai (6 May 1739), Vasai and the surrounding territories came under the Maratha rule.[5]
Soon after, the Marathas captured Ramnagar but reinstated the ruler, Ramdeo, under conditions. Thus the Marathas
acquired the rights to collect revenue, known as chauthai. From Nagar Haveli and two other Parganas.
1. During the time of Dharamdeo, the son of Ramdeo, due to his change of policies (he neglected the conditions
imposed earlier by the Marathas), the Marathas captured Nagar Haveli and the surrounding region.
AGRICULTURE OF DADRA AND NAGAR
HAVELI
The basic economic activity of the territory is agriculture involving about 60% of the working population.
The total land area under cultivation is 236.27 square kilometres (58,380 acres) i.e. 48% of the total
geographical area. The area under high yielding crops is 12,000 acres (49 km2). The main food crops
cultivated in this area are paddy (40% of the net sown area), ragi, small millets, jowar, sugarcanes, tur, nagli
and val. Vegetables like tomato, cauliflower, cabbage and brinjal and fruits like mango, chikoo, guava,
coconut and banana are also grown.[33] Agriculture sector has given a major boost to the economy of
DNH.
1. The local population is also involved in forestry and animal husbandry. 92.76% of the farmers belong to
the weaker sections and 89.36% of them are tribal farmers.[33] There is a full-fledged veterinary
hospital and nine veterinary dispensaries. Mass vaccination against various diseases is done regularly
free of cost by the Animal Husbandry Department.[16]
AGRICULTURE OF DADRA AND NAGAR
HAVELI
HANDICRAFT OF DADRA AND NAGAR
HAVELI
Handicraft
1. The artisans of Dadra and Nagar Haveli are famous for their wonderful weaving and carving works. The
people of Dadar and Nagar Haveli are known for their exemplary art and handicraft tradition which
talks about their culture. They are noted for their unique style and variety in patterns. Leather crafts,
Mat weaving and Basketry are some of the popular traditional craft work practiced in this area. The
leather slippers from Dadra and Nagar Haveli are very famous throughout the country and are durable
and long lasting. Because of the abundance of forest area in this region there are lot of craft and art
work done with the locally available bamboos. Bamboo fibers are used by the experts to weave
beautiful mats which are an essential part of their cultural life. Bamboo is also used in the wonderful
basketry works of the area of Dadra and Nagar Haveli.The people follow lot of traditional designs and
pattern with native motifs in their art and craft weaving which is famous worldwide. The green and gold
torpe grass made items are the most desired ones. Making bamboo baskets is also a major occupation
of the people in the rural areas of the union territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli.
TRADITIONS OF DADRA AND NAGAR HAVELI
TRADITIONS OF DADRA AND NAGAR HAVELI
Traditions
1. The tribal community being dominated by Hindus, give lot of importance to traditionalrituals and customs and infact
they play a major role in the life of people of Dadra and Nagar Haveli.Maximum numbers of tribal villages are featured
with a temple housing the local deity as well as the traditional God.The people of the Varli community are nature
worshippers and mainly consider and worship sun and moon with high regards for they believe it to be gods’s two
eyes.The shrine of these people are found among the tree groves and the diety is usually a stone.Some of their main
dieties are dev, Hirwa, Himai and Waghio.As a part of the Varlis custom on any traditional occasion, either religious or
wedding they wear a loin cloth with a small waist coat and a turban and the women wear a knee-length, one-yard
saree – lugde – and adorn themselves with silver and white metal ornaments. Allrituals and customs are performed by
a person called Bhagat.The bhagat performs the rituals by playing a Ghangal which is a musical instrument made from
gourd,bamboo and iron strings.The people of the Koknas tribal community both men and women, as a part of their
traditional custom tattoo their bodies, especially their foreheads and they are always in their traditional costume. The
man attires himself with a dhoti up to the knees and a waist coat or shirt and a turban. The women folk wear
traditional colorfulsaris that are either knee length or full length. Almost every village has a temple of traditional God
and a local deity with customs and rituals pertaining to their community.
TRADITIONAL FESTIVALS OF DADRA AND
NAGAR HAVELI
TRADITIONAL FESTIVALS OF DADRA AND
NAGAR HAVELI

Traditional Festivals
The people of Dadra and Nagar Haveli are seen immersed in the festive spirit as they celebrate their
traditional festivals. These festivals reflect the culture and tradition of the place and are a part of the
cultural and social life of the tribes living here. Let us have a look at the main festivals celebrated here:
Barash: The festival which is mostly celebrated by the Varli and Kokna tribes is quite similar to the biggest
Hindu festival Diwali. The parts in which these tribes reside are illuminated during this festival and their
gods and goddesses are offered prayers with utmost devotion.
• Raksha Bandhan: Another main Hindu festival Raksha Bandhan is also celebrated here. It is mainly
celebrated by the Dodhia tribe.
TRADITIONAL FESTIVALS OF DADRA AND
NAGAR HAVELI

Divaso: This is another famous festival of Dasra and Nagar Haveli. It is celebrated by the Varli and Dodhia
tribes.
Akha Tij: This festival is mainly celebrated by the women belonging to the Kokna tribe.
Kali Puja: The tribal people living in Dadra and Nagar Haveli strongly believe in the powers of Goddess Kali
and thus gather in large number to conduct Kali puja during the crop harvesting season.
Tarpa Festival and Craft Mela, Monsoon Magic Festival and Children’s Film Festival are some of the main
celebrations of the region. Folk dances and music forms a major part of these celebrations and people
from different tribes participate with great enthusiasm to make these joyous occasions absolute fun.
• Besides these, various other Hindu, Muslim and Christian festivals are celebrated here as people
belonging to these communities also reside in the region.
PREPARED BY = DAKSH RAJ
CLASS = XI
SECTION = A
ROLL NO = 12