The mere mention of the Republic of Maldives usually brings to mind idyllic vacations by the Indian Ocean in the best hotels in Maldives peppered with hazy yet alluring images of sandy beaches dotted with palm trees that sway gently in the ocean breeze, exploration of well preserved coral reefs via snorkelling and diving, and even swimming with manta rays at Manta Point or even Hammerhead Sharks! However, the Republic of Maldives hosts much more than such idyllic vacations: it is a Republic with a long history and Male, the capital of the state, in particular is a truly insightful place to visit. Home to the National Museum and the famed Fish Market, a visit to Male will undoubtedly open one’s eyes to the beauty of the islands that extends beyond its characteristically beautiful beaches. While such trips can be easily arranged by resorts such as Adaaran Club Rannalhi, ensure that you check with the resort you are residing in, as to other places of interest that can be visited. One such place of interest that is scarcely visited by holidaymakers is Utheemu Ganduvaru.
While vacationers often only opt to explore the natural beauty of Maldives in the form of the iconic beautiful beaches, coral reefs, and uninhabited islands, Utheemu Ganduvaru offers guests an opportunity to delve into the history of the country. Utheemu Gandavaru is the title given to the residence of Sultan Mohamed Thankurufaan, an environmentalist, a captain, and a ruler of Maldives who is credited with protecting the islands from Portuguese conquerors during the 16th century. Sultan Mohamed Thankurufaan is considered a hero of Maldives and is the first King of Maldives to have formed a unified military body. Utheemu is the birthplace of the Sultan and hosts a Harbour, the New Mosque, a Cemetery and the Utheemu Gandavaru Residence
Pushpitha Wijesinghe is an experienced independent freelance writer. He specializes in providing a wide variety of content and articles related to the travel hospitality industry. Google+