SUNRISE SAFARI
THE WILD SIDE OF GAJNER DISCOVERED
Forget sleeping late in the morning
on holidays! If adventure calls, we answer -- especially when it involves a
sunrise safari in the heart of the desert of Rajasthan. Our mission was clear,
to witness the raw beauty of Gajner Wildlife Sanctuary. And let me tell you, it
was worth every early-morning yawn!
Picture this. It was 5:45 AM. A quick gulp of chai, and we were off! Casuals on, a hat in place, cameras ready, and a water bottle clutched tight – we were all set for a wildlife rendezvous.
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| The gentle hues of dawn, as we approach the Sanctuary |
The sun had not risen yet but one could feel its presence in the sky. The sanctuary spanning over 48 square kilometres was nearby, just across the glistening lake. A not-so-long bumpy ride, and boom! We were in the thick of it, surrounded by the thorny beauty of the Keekar trees.
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| Glimpses of antelopes as we drive in |
Our trusted driver, doubling as our guide, had already prepped us for the main attractions: Neel Gai, partridges, desert cat, Indian fox, maybe some wild boars, and…drumroll…blackbucks! Yes, those blackbucks! The ones with a bit of Bollywood fame and headline-making history!
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| A monument in the thick of jungle. |
And no, there were no big cats like leopards, tigers and lions here. But this could be one of the proposed forests for the re-introduction of Cheetahs in India.
As the weather had already become warm at the end of March, alas, the migratory birds had returned to their cooler climes. One could only see magnificent peacocks and parrots.
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| More antelopes seen (Photo Credit Dr. Nalini Bhargava) |
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| A Black Buck with its big twisted horns (Photo credit Dr. Nalini Bhargava) |
A flash of black! We caught a glimpse of those elusive blackbucks, even if they were a tad camera-shy, thanks to a speedy getaway prompted by the car ahead of us. But fear not, we were not short on wildlife sightings!
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| The strong bullish Neelgai |
Blackbucks galore, Neelgais in their full glory, peacocks strutting their stuff, and the raw, untamed charm of the desert landscape.
And then, a historical gem! We stumbled upon these incredible circular stone structures, the ancient hideouts for royal hunters.
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| Stone structures for the shooters were located all over |
Picture the scene – holes perfectly
positioned for aiming, a glimpse into the past where kings and their entourages
stalked their prey and often obliged the British rulers by allowing them a
hunting experience. It was like stepping into a time capsule!
But the real showstopper? The sunrise. Oh my goodness! The desert skyline, painted in the hues of gold and crimson, was a spectacle that made every sleepy eye sparkle.
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| The sun has started rising. |
Seeing the mesmerising beauty of the sky just before sunrise and the sun rising a little higher with each passing minute. It was pure magic!
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| The sun has risen and looks so magnificent |
We finally reached a small water body surrounded by lush green trees in the middle of India’s largest desert. It was nothing short of a marvel.
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| A waterbody to help animals to quench their thirst |
The gardener who accompanied the Princess of Jaisalmer at the time of her wedding must have been an expert in growing trees in the desert. What an incredible job was performed by that nameless hero!
All good things must end, so this
dream also ended. We were back at the palace, greeted with a breakfast feast –
a delightful mix of Rajasthani cuisine and Western delights. It was a perfect
ending to a perfect morning.
Wait, wait, it is not the end yet!
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| The magnificent Banyan Tree |
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| Against the trunk of the Banyan tree |
After the sumptuous breakfast, we decided to walk around the property and reached behind the dining hall. And what we found there! A huge Banyan tree with a massive trunk. Must be at least 200 years old!
Motivated by that treat to the eyes, we decided to explore the rest of the property. Every building, every tree had been a moot spectator to the bye-gone era but was silently eloquent as we trod along.
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| A broken tree trunk is nurturing new trees |
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| Try to see some images in the tree trunk |
Talking of the Gajner Sanctuary, I
feel it is not just a place; it was an adventure waiting to happen. If you are
craving a dose of the wild, a dash of history, and a sunrise that will steal
your breath away, this is your spot!
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| Mesmerising open spaces where one could spend hours, meditating or reading a book. |
(To continue)
*****
PS
3 comments:
Superb and awesome... Your narration and the objects in the desert that trapped your fancy. It is a wholesome read, after which one wonders if one would be able to tour the place or would your account satisfy the urge.
The faces in the tree trunk.. yes, indeed, there are at least four or five including a crouching tiger at the bottom and a mysterious old man at the top.. with a bear, a dog, and whatnot!
Thank you for such a wonderful visit!
Beautifully recounted. You have described your morning treat very beautifully.
The various animals, hunting hiding space and nature’s gift the lovely sunrise makes the place come alive in front of the reader’s eye.
Varsha Uke Nagpal
What an utterly captivating and soul-stirring narrative! This story beautifully captures the spirit of adventure, serenity, and the raw charm of Rajasthan’s Gajner Wildlife Sanctuary. From the very first chai-fuelled moment at dawn to the warm glow of sunrise over the desert, each line transports the reader into a living, breathing canvas of wilderness and history.
And the photos shared with this story are absolutely marvellous! I’m truly stunned – they complement the words so powerfully, breathing life into every paragraph. The delicate hues of the sky before sunrise, the poised blackbucks, the stoic Neelgais, the whispering Keekar trees, and that ancient Banyan tree – all of it feels like a dreamscape caught in time.
The narrative flows effortlessly, peppered with insights into the sanctuary’s flora and fauna, as well as intriguing nuggets of royal hunting history. The discovery of the old stone shooting structures and the tribute to the nameless gardener who turned desert into green legacy added a deep, emotional touch.
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