Andrott

Andrott Island (Malayalam: ആന്ധ്രോത് ദ്വീപ്), also known as Androth Island, is a small inhabited island in the Union Territory of Lakshadweep, a group of 36 coral islands scattered in the Arabian Sea off the western coast of India

Geography

Andrott Island is the nearest to the mainland from all the islands in the group and it is also the longest, as well as the biggest (area-wise) island.

It is located approximately 198 kilometres (123 mi) from Kozhikode and 293 kilometres (182 mi) from Kochi. The island has an area of 4.84 square kilometres (1.87 sq mi) and is the only island of the group to have a west-east orientation.

History

The island of Androth had been known as 'Divanduru' in the past, a name that is found in some old French maps. It belongs to the Laccadive Islands subgroup, which had been historically a part of the Arakkal Kingdom.

Nowadays the island of Andrott is a protected territory and not a tourist destination.

Population

Most of its inhabitants are Muslims and there is also a Hindu minority. The Saint Hasrat Ubaidullah, who is believed to have converted the Lakshadweep Islands to Islam, died here. His remains are entombed in the Jumah mosque.