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Androth
Androth is situated at 10o49' North Latitude and 73o41'
east longitude. Androth lies 198kms from Kozhikode. It has no lagoon and
occupies the whole of the atoll. Androth is the largest among the group of
islands in Lakshadweep as well as the nearest, to the mainland.
The island is thick with plantation of coconut trees which yield the finest
copra available in the territory. This is the only island where the plantation
has not intruded into the low lying areas in the middle of the island, where
rice was grown in olden days. There is no facility for shallow fishing, as there
is no lagoon. During the neap tides, the small species of octopus are caught
which is considered a great delicacy.
According to popular belief, this island was the first in the territory to
embrace Islam and still retains the religious leadership. Saint Ubaidullah
who is believed to have converted the islands into Islam died here and his tomb
still remains in the Jumah mosque. As a mark of respect to the saint, the island
vessels passing the island repeat the Fathiha. The religious leaders from
Androth
are regarded with respect on the west coast and even in Sri Lanka and Malaya.
Many of them go on Zafar to distant places, conduct prayers and give talisman to
cure both physical and mental diseases. The religious outlook of the people have
shaped their social outlook. Women are socially placed in greater seclusion.
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