Sri Maruleshwara Temple, Talkad

Maruleshwara Temple at Talkad is one of the oldest temple here. Recent excavations have unearthed this temple and some other prominent temples. This temple built sometime between 11th and 12th century by the kings of Ganga Dynasty. 

The sanctum of the  temple has Shivalinga.  The temple is amidst the sand dunes and down in side the protective walls built to save the temples from sand movements. To reach this temple one has to climb down series of steps. 

This is a small and simple temple without any sculptural decorations on the exterior walls of the temple like any other temples of that period.

Diu

Diu is a tiny island on the southern tip of of Gujarat. This small island is a beautiful and scenic place in the lap of Arabian Sea. Portuguese controlled this territory from 1537 till 1961 and after the military action launched by the Government of India it was merged with India and became a centrally administered Union Territory.

Diu formed part of several kingdoms that ruled over the western India. The last king of the Vaja dynasty ruler of Somnath ruled over Diu in the first decade of the fifteenth century. Thereafter, it came under the control of the Sultans of Gujarat who seen to have ruled Diu for the next one and a half centuries. 

Apart from tourist destination it is also a fishing town. The place is known for its Fortress,   Cathedral and Beaches. The place we visited on our one day tour of the city are:

• Fort 
• Panikotha
• St. Paul Church
• St. Thomas Church (Diu Museum)
• Nagoa Beach
• INS Khukri Memorial
• Gangeshwar Temple
• Naida Caves