Rakmoddin's Travel Blog: West India

Thol Lake Bird Sanctuary - A birding paradise

Thol lake Bird Sanctuary is a shallow freshwater body surrounded by marshes on the edge and scrubby forest embarking the sides. In 1988, officially this Lake was renamed to Thol Bird Sanctuary. Thol name comes from the local village “Thol” situated near the lake. A visual treat to the birdwatchers this place is a home to more than 100 species of birds like cranes, geese, flamingos, pelicans, egret, herons, ducks, whistling teals and many other migratory birds. A visit to this place is highly recommended if you are travelling through the area.

Thol Lake Bird Sanctuary

19:09:00
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Great Rann of Kutch - The White Desert of India

Desert

The Great White Desert is one of the biggest salt deserts in the world and one of the best backpacking destinations in the state of Gujarat, which is endless miles of salty and marshy land in the Thar Desert. Rann of Kutch is located between Gujarat in India and the Sindh province in Pakistan and comprises around 30,000 sq. km of land which includes the Great Rann of Kutch, The Little Rann of Kutch and Banni grassland.

The White Desert of India

11:00:00
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Mandvi Beach - A Tourism Hub of Kutch Gujarat

Beaches

Mandvi beach is one of the pristine beaches in the largest district of India, Also famous for its century-old trade port and the famous Indian fast food “Dabeli”. Today, the beach has its own tented accommodation for visitors as the palace is becoming a popular tourist destination, thanks to its featuring in several Bollywood movies. Being a seaside town, Mandvi has been blessed with pleasant weather all the year through. The vast expanse of its clean beaches had made it a popular destination even in ancient times. The Rulers of Kutch State made it their summer retreat and built the beautiful Vijay Vilas Palace.

Mandvi beach

17:25:00
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The Harappan Site at Dholavira, Kutch, Gujarat

Desert

Dholavira Lake is one of the best Rann view and the most beautiful place while visiting The Great White Rann of Kutch. Dholavira in Gujarat is the last of the Indus Valley Sites to be excavated and discovered (Harappa, Mohenjodaro, Kalibangan, Lothal, Rupnagar, Ganeriwala, Rakhigarhi). This post is mostly about the beautiful drive on the Dholavira Lake flyover and The Harappan Site which is one of the famed for being one of the five largest Harappan sites which is located in the Khadir Beyt island in the district of Kutch.

The Harappan Site at Dholavira, Kutch, Gujarat

Dholavira Lake, Kutch, Gujarat

21:29:00
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Ekal Ka Rann, Chobbari village, Kutch, Gujarat

Desert

Ekal Ka Rann is a less visited place in Kutch after the popularity of “Rann Utsav” which happens in Dhordo near Bhuj, but this place has its own uniqueness. The Ekal Ka Rann, named after the Ekal Mata Temple at the edge of the white desert, was a few kms from your stay (Meriya Nature Resort).

Ekal Ka Rann, Chobbari village, Kutch, Gujarat

Ekal Ka Rann at Chobbari Village, Kutch

10:30:00
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Meriya Nature Resort - An Authentic Village Stay of Ekal Ka Rann at Chobbari

Beaches

We woke up in the morning at Meriya Nature Resort in Kutch’s Chobari village when a flock of demoiselle cranes flew into the open space right in front of us. It was an amazing feeling like we have our own little bird sanctuary in this resort. These migratory cranes travel long distances from Eurasia and Mongolia to spend the winter in India. The birds make their temporary home in Khichan, a village in the Jodhpur district of Rajasthan, which is around 600 km from Chobari. For a few minutes every morning, right after sunrise, the birds spend a few minutes here at Meriya Nature Resort before flying away.

Meriya Nature Resort - An Authentic Village Stay of Ekal Ka Rann at Chobbari

21:33:00
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The White Desert - Ride from Pune to the Rann of Kutch, Gujarat

Beaches

The Rann of Kutch or White Desert was in our mine from a long time as it is one of the biggest salt deserts in the world. It is a mesmerizing place to visit in Gujarat, known for its Rann Utsav which takes place in winter from November to February annually, hence we finally made it during the “Rann Utsav” - a popular traditional festival of Kutch. You will be amazed to see the natural beauty of White Rann of Kutch when the light of the full moon flashes on the white desert.