Dholavira - Going back to Indus Valley Civilization

[From previous post LRK - GRK]

In the previous post, I have mentioned about Dholavira. Even I have told that it would take you back to the past. I am going to answer that question in this post.  

We have only heard about Harappa and Mohenjodaro in our textbook in Indus Valley Civilization chapter. Like those two cities, there are several excavated cities. In Gujarat, you would possibly notice several such sites. Dholavira is one such city which can take you in a time machine back to the Indus Valley civilization. In those times Dholavira was considered as one of the finest city. The excavated city along with other sites like Harappa (Now in Pakistan), Lothal are called Harappan sites.  Here I am going to brief you about our travel with the Dholavira's time machine.

Sunrise @ Dholavira

I am not going to lie here. When I visited Dholavira, I was totally ignorant of the significance of this spot. I knew that it is one of the Harappan sites. But I had no clue about it's geographical encompassing. Every one of the anecdotes about having a sea here before had no clearness. The fossil's park and the exhuming locales are the new things for me as an explorer. Until you experience it, it is just a piece of information. That's where this travel has its significance over reading. It gives you more information and imagination.

In the previous post, I have given little information about the sunset. When the whole sky turns into different shades of red, it is altogether a different experience. Though we were tired, we waited for the sun to go down. When the darkness covered the whole village, it was such a mysterious silence. We moved to our huts in Toron tourist complex. After the bath, we had delicious and tasty food. Before going to bed, we had a little chit-chat with the little kids there. They had a different version of the ghost story about the village. In the night I had different kinds of dreams. I was literally in Indus valley civilization.

When we woke up early in the morning, we decided to go for the sunrise from the hill near the fossil park. Though it is not so spectacular like the one we see in Gokarna or Kapu beach, it was a different experience.

Look at the picture below. This looks like the no man's land just like the one you see in the Wild movie (Pacific Crest Trail). From the hill, you could see the sun coming up and lighting this part of the region which was once the most civilized part of the world. 

Fossil Park and 

Though it has become a history, it still attracts a lot of curiosity all over the world.  Dholavira is in an isolated island called Khadir island which is separated by a lake called Rann of Kutch Lake. During monsoon, this lake will be filled and separates Khadir island from other regions. During summer it will dry up forming the white cover of salt all over.

Dholavira has this interesting fossil park which has the plant fossils of wood dates back to Jurassic age.

This comes under the Gujarat forest department and since it is near the Kutch lake, it gives more value to this place. You could find many migratory birds in the lake like Flamingos. Pelican, Eurasian spoonbill,  Dunlin etc. Even in the Flamingos, there are two types mainly, Greater and lesser. Greater Flamingos have the longer legs and Lesser have the shorter legs. Greater Flamingos are larger than most of the humans and are mainly found where plenty of salt is available. It is great to watch when they fly. Those who have a special interest in bird photography should visit here.

Above picture was taken with a soldier on the way to Dholavira museum from Rann of Kutch Lake. A very special photo indeed.

Dholavira museum 

Dholavira museum has all the tools and instruments used during Harappan civilization. They have found these in the excavated sites and have preserved them in the museum.

Dholavira excavated city

Those who are staying in the city always speak about the failure of city planning. The engineers and administrators who plan for the city planning should visit this Harappan site.  The reservoirs, canals, memorial, the layout of the city looks like well planned. We could find big and small houses layouts which have made the historian to think about the hierarchy in their city.

Dholavira is a barren land away from the outside world separated from the Rann of Kutch lake has made historians think that it was once a port surrounded by sea. They have concluded that people used to come here for marine activities. Since there is no sign of Indus river nearby, can give us an idea about how big was the Indus valley civilization area. From Lothal to Harappa and other sites in UP, Rajasthan and other districts has given more information about their life.

History has always helped us to live a better life. It also helps us in understanding human life better. Every civilization is going to end one day. But if we lead a life with values, it will pass on to our next generation.

Dholavira is not just a time machine, but also an enlightenment place. Once the fertile land might have become like this. The sea might have disappeared. Over time if we don't respect nature there will be a huge change in the environment and geographical area. Sometimes we have to go back in time machine to understand what our ancestors have done which we could continue and the things we should not do.

If you really want to experience this time machine moment, Dholavira is one such place. If you have not experienced the Harappan site, I think you have to plan during the Kutch festival. You could witness both the beauty of Gujarat culture and also experience the mystery of Khadir island.

Travel to explore, Travel to know the truth, Travel to gain knowledge, Travel to experience humanity, Travel to make friends and finally travel to find yourself.

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