Travels to the West : Day 3: Dholavira

After the brilliant sunrise on the Raan we made our way to Kalo Dungar the highest point in Kutch before going to Dholavira.

We stopped at a Kharad ( carpet ) weaver’s home in Ratadiya village. Vegetable dyes are used to dye the wool from camels and goats used to weave the carpet. While carpets in this workshop are made to order, the weaver showed us his original pieces, some of which depicted everyday village life.

Up the down road

Did you know that in Kalo Dungar area there is a spot where the forces of gravity do not act ?

Just before Kalo Dungar we came to a magnetic zone where it seemed that the car rolled up the downward slope! Similarly we took turns in spilling some water in the middle of the road and watch it climb upwards instead of rolling down !

On the way up we saw a tempo load of people going up the steep hill, the old people looking decidedly petrified that they would fall off !

Atop the hill is a new temple built on the site of the old temple that was destroyed in the earthquake . Similarly, a few metres downhill is another modern structure that guards the eternal flame marking the spot where Dattatreya was said to have prayed .

Some distance away, there is a spot where the offerings made at the temple were left for the jackals to eat . Till a few years ago jackals did come to eat the Prasad.

Standing at the highest point makes you feel you are at the edge of the world . With the vast landscape of hills, white sands of the Raan and Pakistan in the distance , you really get a feeling of awe.

The road to Dholavira was magical. A straight tar road dividing the lake made created amazing landscapes with various hues of blue white and brown. Bits of salt crystals floated on top like the foam on a water body and it was hard to imagine that the lake was only a few inches deep .

Travels to the West : Day 3: Dholavira

Finally around lunch time we arrived at Dholavira which is an island in the middle of the lake. We checked in to our newly made bhungas .

After a quick lunch went to the UNESCO heritage sight to see the ruins of an ancient civilisation dating back to Harappan times.

It was fascinating to see these excavations of a civilisation that once had a vibrant trade with Mesopotamia. Sadly the museum was shut so we had to rely on the local guide’s information .

Jurassic Park

I didn’t quite understand what Mr Mitul meant by Dinosaur Park until we visited the Fossil Park. Flat rocks with interesting formations and a piece of petrified wood rendered this a place of undeniable beauty.

The fossil park with its specimens of petrified wood and fossils dating back to the Jurassic era is definitely worth a visit .

We watched the sun setting on the Rann for a bit before making our way back to the Bhunga for dinner. Before retiring to bed we sat in the open air listening to folk songs by the local artistes .

Tomorrow would be our last day and I was looking forward to more treats unfolding before we went back home .

Ciao