Tourism in Silvassa

Silvassa, the capital of Dadra and Nagar Haveli, is a small town lodged in between Gujarat and Maharashtra. It is a famous tourist destination especially for people, who want to enjoy nature at its best. This quiet town with its winding small rivers, beautiful waterfalls and patches of tall green trees is a paradise weekend gateway.

Many interesting places are scattered across the town which are visited by tourists throughout the year. Some of the fascinating destinations are as follows:

Swaminarayan Temple

This huge temple is a pink marble stone work with intricate carvings. The architectural masterpiece is situated on the banks of river Daman Ganga, on Silvassa Bhilad road. The exquisite architectures on the temple walls display beautiful art works and idols of famous Indian saints. Tourists can view long stretched green lawn with beautiful deer statues around the temple complex. The temple door opens at around 11.30am and the gorgeously dressed idols welcome all the devotees.

Dudhni Lake

The grand Dudhni lake is situated at around 40kms away from Silvassa and 17kms away from Khanvel. This large water front is formed by the dam water of Madhuvan reservoir. First thing which will catch visitor’s eye is the lovely decorated Shikaras on water. It is often termed as the Kashmir of West.

Tourists can enjoy the sunset view from a thirty minutes Shikara ride by paying an amount of Rs200/- for a boat of four people. This lake is famous for its surrounding natural beauty and shining water, especially during monsoon. One can reach the place by taking an auto rickshaw ride from the town or a private vehicle is always helpful.

Church of Our Lady of Piety

This 18th Century church is the oldest standing building of Silvassa. The magnificent church built by the Portuguese settlers in the region relay the presence of diverse culture in Silvassa. The church has gorgeously decorated internal and external archways.

Vanganga Lake Garden

The lush green Vanganga Lake Garden with cozy thatched huts, jogging paths and long patches of flowers is a famous tourist spot in Silvassa. The lake has beautiful paddle boat rides for people to relax and enjoy the cool breeze while watching ducks and turtles swim in the water.

It is located on the Vapi Silvassa road, only 5kms from Silvassa town and around 26kms away from Khanvel. Regular public buses are available from Vapi, costing about Rs 50/- per person. It is popularly known as the “Beauty spot of the Island Gardens.” The entry fee are Rs25/- and Rs10/- respectively for adult and children. Best time to visit this place is early morning.

Vasona Lion Safari

This Lion Park is a part of the 92sq. kms of Dadra and Nagar Haveli Wildlife Sanctuary. Located at 20kms from Silvassa town on the Khanvel-Silvassa road, the park is adjacent to the Satmalia Deer Park. A 7m high wall stretches for almost 3 Kms, isolating the Safari zone from the whole sanctuary area. Two outer and inner entrance gates secure the Safari park and the wildlife authorities have arranged for caged bus rides of 20minutes costing about R25/- per person. It is basically a mini safari with almost no lions and one lioness alive. The safari is open to the tourists from 9am to 5pm excepting Mondays.

Silvassa Tribal Museum

Located in the heart of Silvassa town beside the main Tourist Office, is Silvassa Tribal Museum holding the heritage of different tribal culture of the union territory. This museum tells us the history of Silvassa’s tribal movement. The museum displays photos of the tribal lifestyle, items of their daily household activities, musical instruments, handmade ornaments and agricultural and hunting equipments.  Fishing was their primary activity and various fishing equipments are also on display. It also features Warli Art and 3D tribal houses. The museum is open for public from 9am-5pm everyday with no entry fee and no photography is allowed inside.

Satmalia Deer Park

Satmila Deer Park is adjacent to the Vasona Lion Safari Park on the Khanvel Silvassa road. The place boasts of having different species of deer and variety of birds. There are government Gypsy (automobile) rides around the park worth Rs 25/- per person.

Hirwa Van Garden

This is a beautiful man made garden on the Silvassa Dadra road. Perfectly maintained green lawns, beautiful twin arches, stone wall structures and small artificial waterfalls are excellent for a picnic location. Entry fee is Rs 20/- per person.

Kauncha

40kms south of Silvassa, this place is a trekking paradise. One can do star gazing at night, while staying in a tent. Different kinds of water sports are available for the tourists like jet skies, rowing boats, kayaks and canoes.
 

Tapovan Tourist Complex, Bindrabin

About 18kms from Silvassa and 2kms from Khanvel, this tourist complex has Lord Shiva temple, which is visited by devotees around the year.
    

Shopping in Silvassa

Though a small town, Silvassa is a popular tourist destination and has many shopping areas and markets selling local tribal arts and handicrafts. Famous among these are the Worli paintings, a traditional Indian art of the Maharashtrian tribe, Worli. These paintings show different geometric forms of white and earthly colors and are available in almost all art and handicraft shops, at more or less fixed price. Recycled paper and Raagi flour made eco-friendly bags are also an interesting pick. Beautiful smoking pipes of wood are also an attraction among the tourists.

Some of the popular shopping arcades are,
Empress Mall
Address- Krishna Nagar Samarvani,
Silvassa, Dadra and Nagar Haveli- 396230

Manpasand Super Store
Address- 2-4 Arvind Complex, Umarkui Road,
Silvassa, Dadra and Nagar Haveli- 396230

Adinath Superstore
Address- Olive-B, Park City Dokmandi Road,
Silvassa, Dadra and Nagar Haveli- 396230

Adventure Apparels
Address- Supreme Market, Kilvani Road Kilwani Naka Silvassa,
Dadra and Nagar Haveli 396230

Kanchan Jewellers
Address- Tomboli Tower, Shop No 1 Kilwani Naka Silvassa,
Dadra and Nagar Haveli 396230

Festivals Celebrated

Silvassa town is a combination of people from various culture and tradition.  The town has a huge influence of the Portuguese culture till today and hence Christianity is equally important as a religion as Hinduism. Festivals like Vasanth Panchami, Maha Shivratri, Holi, Gudi Pavda, Ram Navami, Navratri, Good Friday, Christmas etc. are celebrated over this place.

Good Hotels and Resorts to Stay

Lords Resort
Address- Kakad Faliya Road, Naroli, Silvassa-396230

Treat Resort
Address- Silvassa Sayli Road, Sayli Road,
Silvassa, Dadra Nagar Haveli,396230

Ras Resort
Address- 128 (P) (I), Silvassa Naroli Road, P.O. Box 38, Silvassa-396230

Hotel Krishna
Address- Naroli Main Road, Nr. Char Rasta,
Beside Hotel Amruta, Silvassa -396230

Daman Ganga Valley Resort
Address- S no 365, Opp Vandhara Garden Naroli Road
Naroli Road , Silvassa -396230

Khanvel Resort
Address- Silvassa, Khanvel, Silvassa,
Dadra Nagar Haveli, Pin-396230

Golden Pond Resort
Address- Silvassa, Khanvel,
Silvassa, Dadra Nagar Haveli 396230

Van Vihar Hotel
Address- Dudhani Village,Chowki Pada, Dudhani Village, Silvassa

How to Reach Silvassa

By Road:     

Silvassa has got well connected roads and is a perfect weekend gateway for travelers with private vehicle. It is around 120kms from Mumbai and is connected by Western Express Highway (NH 8). Government ill-maintained buses and private AC buses run daily on this route, connecting Silvassa with the nearest major cities Mumbai and Pune. Daman is only 30kms away from Silvassa and is not connected directly by any transport.

There is a proper Government bus stand in Silvassa. Direct buses also run from Bhilad and Vapi which are respectively 12kms and 21kms away from Silvassa town. Different Cab services are available from Mumbai and Daman, charging approximately Rs8/- per km. Local auto rickshaws charging around Rs 80 -100/- are also available from Vapi or Bhilad to Silvassa.

By Rail:

The nearest railway station is Vapi which is 13kms away from Silvassa town center. Vapi has many trains coming directly from different parts of India, making it a center for tourists.
Few important trains to Vapi are:

1. Mumbai - Ahmedabad Shatabdi Express runs every day excepting Sundays.
2. Bangalore - Jodhpur Express runs Monday and Wednesday.
3. Hyderabad - Rajkot Express runs Monday, Tuesday and Thursday.
4. Pune Ahimsa Express runs on Wednesday.
5. Pine - Jodhpur Express runs only on Sundays.

By Air:

The nearest connecting airport is the Chatrapati Shivaji International airport of Mumbai, about 120kms from Silvassa. Airport Cabs are available for a day’s trip to Silvassa for a price of Rs. 2500/- approximately.

Car Rental Agencies

Few good car rental agencies providing buses and cab/taxis are;

Our Only Planet Travel Counsultants
Address- Godse Bunglow, Behind Hotel Woodland,
Opposite Jain Mandir, Silvassa HO, Silvassa - 396230 
Contact- +(91)-9909975567

Shree Modeshwari Tempo Service & Travels
Address-  9, Gokul Complex, Opposite Amli Circle,
Vapi Silvassa Main Road, Silvassa HO, Silvassa –  396230
Contact- +(91)-9824387738, +(91)-8511107738

Shrinath Travel Agency
Address- Near Hotel Hariyana, Piparia Bridge, Silvassa HO, Silvassa – 396230
Contact- +(91)-260-6458005, +(91)-7567089922

Vijay Travels
Address- Siddarth Shopping Centre, Shop No 10
Silvassa Police Station, Near Dolphin Talkies, Silvassa 
HO, Silvassa – 396230
Contact- +(91)-9377019101, +(91)-260-2641505

Shivam Services
Address- 13, Opp Dreamland Cinema
Swami Narayan Marg, Silvassa HO, Silvassa – 396230
Contact- +(91)-260-642149,  +(91)-9825392917

S.S.Tours & Travels
Address- Shop No.5,Jama Masjid Building
Vapi - Silvassa Road, Opp.bank Of Rajasthan, Silvassa HO, 
Silvassa – 396230

Good hotels for comfort staying and well maintained roads have made Silvassa a tourism friendly destination.

Also Read:

Budget Hotels in Silvassa
Luxury Resorts in Silvassa