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Sri Vijaya Puram Andaman & Nicobar Islands
Sri Vijaya puram
Nestled along the east coast of South Andaman Island, Sri Vijaya Puram is the vibrant capital of the Union Territory of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands. Beyond its bustling waterfront and administrative role, it offers a unique blend of natural beauty and cultural heritage – from serene beaches and lush green hillsides to colourful local markets and historic port zones. Originally named Port Blair after Archibald Blair, it was officially renamed Sri Vijaya Puram on September 13, 2024. The change was part of an effort to remove colonial-era names and honor the Andaman and Nicobar Islands’ role in India’s freedom struggle. The name “Sri Vijaya Puram” is inspired by the ancient Srivijaya Empire (6th– 13th century CE), a powerful maritime kingdom based in Sumatra (modern Indonesia) that exerted influence over much of Southeast Asia, including the Andaman and Nicobar trade routes.
Chatham : Sri Vijaya Puram Andaman & Nicobar Islands
Chatham Island, one of the earliest Britishsettlements in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, is home to Asia’s oldest and India’s largest operational sawmill, established in 1883 and still functioning today. The island also bears the scars of World War II, having been bombed during Japanese air raids in 1942. Today, it houses a museum showcasing theforestry history and the island’s colonial past. It is connected to Sri Vijaya Puram by a motorable bridge.
Viper Island
Viper Island, was the earliest British jail in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, built in 1867. Named after the ship HMS Viper that once sailed these waters, the island’s prison once housed Indian freedom fighters who endured brutal punishments and solitary confinement.
NSCB ISLAND
Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose Island, formerly known as Ross Island, lies just a 20-minute ferry away from Sri Vijaya Puram and was once the glittering British capital of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, famed as the “Paris of the East” for its opulent clubs, churches, and colonial bungalows. After an earthquake in 1941 and the Japanese occupation during World War II, the island was abandoned, allowing giant banyan roots to reclaim the ruins — creating a surreal mix of history and nature. Netaji hoisted the Indian flag here in 1943 declaring the islands as 1 territory freed from British rule.
Cellular Jail
Built between 1896 and 1906, the jail’s unique sevenwinged, spider-like architecture allowed authorities to isolate prisoners completely while keeping them under constant surveillance. Notable revolutionaries like Veer Savarkar, Yogendra Shukla, and Batukeshwar Dutt endured unimaginable hardships here.
EXPLORE MORE
Beaches – Bask in golden sands and gentle
waves where the sea meets serenity at
Khurmadera, Collinpur, Chota Balu, Bada Balu.
Stargazing – Witness the night sky unfold in a
dazzling display of stars over the tranquil
islands at science centre, and other spots in
Kodiyaghat and Chidiyatapu.
Bird Watching– Discover a paradise alive with
colors and calls of rare island birds at Mount
Manipur, Sippighat, Kalatang etc.
Directorate of Tourism
Andaman & Nicobar Administration
Sri Vijaya Puram, 744101
Ph : 03192-232694 / 232747
E : touristhelpdeskandamans@gmail.com
GI Tagged Goods – Take back organic spices
like cinnamon and clove along with other GI
tagged products like virgin coconut oil and
Padauk woodcraft from Sagarika and Dweep
Sugandh stores.
All Information, Images on this article and Credit Goes to : Directorate of IPT Directorate of Tourism, Andaman & Nicobar Administration Port Blair, 744101
Contact Information
Mon-Sat: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sri Vijaya Puram, Andaman & Nicobar Islands
+91-3192-232694
info[at]andamantourism[dot]gov[dot]in
Sri Vijaya Puram Andaman & Nicobar Islands
