Lakshadweep to Patna Flights

Patna Airport or Jayaprakash Narayan International Airport (IATA code: PAT) is situated at a distance of around 5 km towards the southwest of the city. This airport handles more than 2 million passengers every year. Built across a sprawling 254 acres, it has a mid-sized runway with an asphalt surface measuring 2000 m. Even though the Patna airport is equipped with two terminals, only Terminal One is operational, as Terminal 2 for international passengers is under construction. Designed with 10 counters, terminal one has an arrival area, departure section, and a waiting area for handling up to 400 domestic flyers. There is also a special terminal dedicated to cargo handling. It is the service hub for airlines like SpiceJet, IndiGo, Air India, Go Air, and GoFirst. The airport enjoys excellent connectivity and supports frequent flights from cities like Surat, Mumbai, Bangalore, Srinagar, Delhi, Ahmedabad, and Kolkata. Patna Airport can be reached from any corner of the city by availing the services of taxis, auto-rickshaws, horse-driven trams, trains and buses. Passengers can utilise the special services, such as information desk, medical facility, phone booths, money exchange kiosks, ATMs, special services, kids care hall, elderly help, and gift shops, among others.

Patna, the capital city of Bihar, is situated along the fertile banks of the River Ganga. Earlier known as Pataliputra, this Indian city is soaked in rich history dating back nearly 3,000 years. A Magadha king established Patna in 490 BCE. Over the years, Patna has grown in several fields, such as education, architecture, religion, sculpture, trade, art, and painting. As several dynasties had a stronghold over the city for many years, it remains a treasure trove of varied traditions and culture. The cityscape is filled with buildings that are reminiscent of the Mughal, Mauryan, Afghan, and British era. Strategically located at the meeting point of four rivers: Punpun, Gandak, Sone, and Ganga, the city of Patna has gained an upper hand in riverine trade and political dominance. Also called the city of learning, Patna has produced many famous writers and poets, like Vidyapati Thakur, Usha Kiran Khan, Upamanyu Chatterjee, and Devaki Nandan Khatri. The city is the perfect epitome of vibrant culture, influenced by Hinduism, Jainism, Sufism, and Buddhism. People of Patna speak various languages, such as Hindi, Bhojpuri, Magadhi, and Urdu. People of different religions come together to celebrate various festivals like Chhath, Makar-Sankranti, Teej, Diwali, Somwari, Eid, and Christmas. The region is popular for its Sonepur Mela, which is the largest cattle fair in the country. As the city has experienced the influence of different dynasties, the local cuisine also reflects the same. Authentic vegetarian foods, fish mustard gravy, and dry sweets are very popular among tourists. Donít miss their Seekh kebabs, Litti Chokha, Tarkari, and Malpua when visiting the city. You can also shop for fabrics with applique works, cane and bamboo crafts, wooden crafts, wall hangings, stone pottery, bead jewellery, Madhubani paintings, and leather goods at the local market.

Agatti Airport (IATA code: AGX), located on the southern side of Agatti Island, is the only airstrip situated in the archipelago of the Indian west coast. This airport was inaugurated in 1988, and is spread over 45 acres of land. It is equipped with NDB (non-directional radio beacon), and DME (Distance Measuring Equipment) navigational aids. This airport is designed with a single terminal with a security counter and a check-in area. The terminal building of this airport, measuring 556 square meters, is capable of handling around 150 passengers at peak hours. It receives direct flights from Indian cities like Bangalore and Cochin. This airport is well-connected to several parts of the country. By taking one of the seven-passenger ships from Kochi, you can reach the airport within 20 hours. Moreover, auto rickshaws and cabs are available to travel to other areas from the island. There is also a car parking with the capacity to hold up to 75 cars.

Agatti island, part of the Lakshadweep island cluster, is popular for its lagoon with breathtaking beauty and abundant coral reefs. This 6 km long island is rightly called the fishing capital, as it is blessed with abundant aquatic life. Tucked at 459 km away from Kochi in Kerala, the island lies to the west of Kavaratti island. The beautiful lagoon is filled with colorful coral fishes, turtles, and rich coral reefs. The emerald crystal water, fringed by white sands and tall coconut palms, enhances the islandís mystique. The charm of this island is in its remoteness. History suggests that the first settlement on this island was during the period of Raja Cheraman Perumal, the last ruler of Kerala. On his way to Mecca, his boat was shipwrecked by a storm and was washed ashore at Agatti islands. Later, this island was visited by a group of soldiers and sailors who became its inhabitants. In terms of ethnicity, the people of Agatti island are a mixture of Arab and Indian descent, and are similar to the people living in Kerala. The majority of the islanders speak Malayalam while some speak Mahl, Arab, and Hindi. Agatti island cuisine is famous for its seafood platter, prepared with prawns, squid, crabs, octopus, and seaweed. Both vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes have coconut milk, fresh coconut, rice, and spices as the main ingredients. Dishes like fried octopus, and Maasu Podichath are must-try. Agatti island airport connects the Lakshadweep islands with other parts of the world. The island is popular for adventurous water sports like kayaking, snorkelling, water skiing, scuba diving, and sailing. The best time to visit this island is between October and March. Donít miss the boat ride with a see-through glass bottom to enjoy the scenic view of the ocean underneath.