LRK - GRK - Gujarat experience continued...

The time when we reached Zainabad,  it was dark.  It looked like an oasis in desert. The huts or whatever rooms looked good. After taking hot bath we had Gujarati meals. It was delicious and the host looked very interesting. We had a good conversation with him who gave an overview about Rann Of Kutch. But he was very intelligent to gave an idea where we have to miss our lunch, next day.  

After having a good sleep, we were little relaxed. It was 7:00 AM. They packed our breakfast. As we marched towards LRK, we felt we are in a different world. It was such an amazing desert.  It was calm and not even a single house nearby. The silence of the desert took me to a different world.

People were in not control once we stopped near the centre of the desert. People started experiencing the desert ride and I started clicking their pictures. Probably the best pics I have taken till date. I could see the other side of Kiran, Rakesh, Sri and Balu. I was calm and enjoying each and every piece of the moment. It was my first desert moment. My perception about desert completely changed. It was one of the most beautiful creation of God.

LRK houses one of the most beautiful sanctuary, Wild Ass Sanctuary. The whole area belongs to wild ass sanctuary. It houses wild variety of animals and birds. There are around 5000 wild ass in India and it is the only sanctuary meant to protect these species.  Once these animals occupied larger part of India, but today they are limited to Kutch area and its surrounding. Though they told it houses many animals , we didn't find a single animal other than camel on the way.

Covering around 5000 x 700 sq km Little Rann of Kutch is the heaven for migratory birds. In winter you find more birds like Flemigos,Cranes, Felicans, Spoon Bills, Ducks ,Hubara Bustards. We were lucky to see Flemingos in Dholavira. It was treat to watch them in groups. According to estimate, 70000 - 75000 Flemingos have nested here. 

Gujarat produces 70-80% of the salt production in India. LRK produces 20 % of the nation's production. Agariya families of the village prepare salt from this region. After monsoon, water here dries up and salt preparation will be started. 

Till now I thought that these guys have permission to enter this area. We were about to start our breakfast. Then once we gave a lesser money as tips to the guys who brought us here, they acted as if the national park guys are coming. They told us we need to leave as soon as possible. They even wanted to take fruits, bread, butter with them. But I and Kiran took all those fruits and breads in our helmet. We had already paid huge money and so we took most of the eatables. Then we moved towards the highway. Even today we guys laugh at the way I took fruits in helmet and bread in mouth. That was the funny situation. 

Once we reached highway, we had breakfast. Then we moved towards Great Rann of Kutch, world's largest salt desert.  Little Rann of kutch was wow. But this is unimaginable.  I never imagined I would visit a place like this. Completely blown out by the nature's creation. Salt on either side of the road, it was a Maravante moment for me. I have started calling the experience of the roads with nature's beautiful creation on either side as Maravante moment. Maravante is a beach near my Granny's place. River on one side of the road and Arabian sea on the other side of the road. A perfect hangout place for nature and wildlife photographers for dating the beautiful creation of God.

This magnificent landscape of dazzling white salt covers 30000 sq km in between Gulf of Kutch and Indus river. It is treat to watch in full moon light. It is said that this region was once the shallows of the Arabian sea. Some natural phenomenon has occurred and it has closed off the connection to sea. But whatever has happened it has given life to many. Apart from flora and fauna, it is giving bread and butter for some people. Traveller has widely acknowledged the beauty of this wet land. Wide variety of Birds and animals have accepted it as their home. Desert is not always about camels, GRK is the best example. 

Continuing with my experience, it was white every where. As we got into the desert, it was wet and sludgy. We kept quite and started enjoying the once in a life time moment. Don't worry about your shoe becoming dirt, instead try to make it as dirty as possible.

Here we met a traveller by name Siddaraj. A brave Gujarati guy who went solo with his bike. I liked his thirst for the adventure. We mingled so easily that he stayed with us.

After spending quality time in GRK, we moved to Dholavira. On the way we saw the bikes turned auto rickshaw. We even got an opportunity to converse with the locals. Apart from the beautiful creation, the people and the culture makes Gujarat what it is today. In subsequent posts I am going to give brief account of diversified culture and art of Gujarat. 

GRK was not the end of our awesome trip. We were in perfect time for  the sunset. If you are in Kutch, do not miss to visit Dholavira. This is one place where you feel like you are going back in time machine.  Please enjoy this sunset till I post my experience in Dholavira in my next post. I am going to tell why you are also going to feel like you are in time machine and going back.

“The earth has music for those who listen.” 

- George Santayana

• Tweet
• Share
• Share
• Share
• Share

Sign up here with your email