Gorgeous as the hues of heaven,there are places where you leave your footprints and later realize you even left your heart therein! “Kuch din toh guzaro Gujarat mein” is rightly quoted by Gujrat Tourism and is a sheer depiction of Gujarat’s splendid beauty that cannot be covered in a day.
However, the untouched beauty further being discussed in the article can be a good idea to woo your weekend blues and gift your near ones a resplendent treat that is pretty close to Ahmedabad with a distance of less than 100 kilometer! Gujarat, being a state that has been serving a home to many migratory birds every year also features a not-so-famous sanctuary which harbors the iconic last population of Wild Ass globally.
Bajana is a tiny village in Dasada Taluka of Surendranagar district in Gujarat and lies at the southern shore of Little Rann of Kutch. Nearly perfect in every way, it is one of the most mesmerizing and remarkable sites of all time!
‘Rann’ refers to a vast dry land bearing an unbroken bare surface of dark silt and encrusted with mineral salts that hold a capacity to transform self into a coastal wetland during heavy monsoons. It is a transitional area lying amidst the marine and terrestrial ecosystem. The dryness allows no vegetation in the sanctuary except a few variants of legumes; despite serves the highest number of Wild Asses in the world.
The most popular subspecies of the Asiatic Wild Ass (Onager) is the Indian Wild Ass which is prominently found at Bajana. Herbivores in nature, these asses are significantly larger than donkeys and weigh over 200 Kg. With a head-body length of 2.1-2.5m, the asses hop over 6 feet in distance to cover longer journeys in a short span of time. The males are generally larger than the females and feature a coat that is sandy. Usually found in flocks or little terrestrial groups, their color tone ranges from reddish gray, fawn to pale chestnut. Called Khurr in Gujarati, these joyous creatures are arguably the fastest Indian animal, and can attain a top speed of 70-80 Kmph. The endangered species is well habituated to the Rann and have grown over 4,800 in number
The Royal Safari can be arranged from the Royal Safari Camps at Bajana which is an initiative by Gujarat tourism. A time to reach the resort is afternoon wherein you and your family can have a peaceful lunch and explore the scenic beauty at the resort itself. Early evening is recommended for the Royal Safari to the sanctuary that will offer you a breathtaking view of the
Ass flocks running around as soon as the gypsy goes closer along with a lot of Migratory birds that’d be a part of your luck pot if you visit the place in winters mostly after November. Be it the sleek Sandhill crane flying swiftly through the air or the flamboyance of flamingoes over the Bajana Lake, the sight is truly worth gold.
A jaw-dropping sunset and a drop-dead gorgeous barren land make the place worth a visit. To mention, this is no less than a heaven for the people with a creative bend. Time to plan your next family picnic that’s been on hold for ages now! Also, as correctly said, “A picture is worth a thousand words”, here are a few moments captured from my experience that are certain to make you go swoon over.
