Blackbuck National Park : Velavadar

Tripoto

Hello all,

Photo of Blackbuck National Park : Velavadar 1/3 by kajal shah

The grassland is enormous and with the wind blowing our hair and cold air sending shivers down our spine, our eyes were only searching the black and white wonders of mother nature. But instead what we saw initially was hundreds of longhorns peeping out of the grass. We were dumbfounded by the view in front of us... and still, ye Dil mange more and we wanted to see herds of running, hopping blackbucks...

Photo of Blackbuck National Park : Velavadar 2/3 by kajal shah
Photo of Blackbuck National Park : Velavadar 3/3 by kajal shah

This park was on our bucket list for a long. So rather than staying in the adjacent resort, we just took an easy and money-saving way. As the park is just 3 hours from Vadodara, why not go just for a day!

Photo of Blackbuck National Park, Adhelai-Velavadar Link Road, Gujarat, India by kajal shah
Photo of Blackbuck National Park, Adhelai-Velavadar Link Road, Gujarat, India by kajal shah

So off we went to Velavadar Blackbuck National Park, where we were meeting a few friends from Ahmedabad also. The plan was spontaneous and as spontaneity is the best kind of adventure, we just went ahead with it. Meeting old friends on the way, riding with them, cherishing old memories, laughing, chatting, sharing, and accepting who we are...no burden, no strings...just pure friendship...

We had started around 6:30 from Vadodara and reached Velavadar at around 9:45. The atmosphere was cool. And according to the guides, the best season to visit the park is winter only. From October to March. We can take our car to the park along with a guide. But trust us the best way to do any safari is in an open gypsy. Then only you will be able to feel the depth and vastness of the grassland.

Photo of Blackbuck National Park : Velavadar by kajal shah
Photo of Blackbuck National Park : Velavadar by kajal shah

The grassland is enormous and with the wind blowing our hair and cold air sending shivers down our spine, our eyes were only searching the black and white wonders of mother nature. But instead what we saw initially was hundreds of longhorns peeping out of the grass. We were dumbfounded by the view in front of us... and still, ye Dil mange more and we wanted to see herds of running, hopping blackbucks...

If you have a proper guide and you are interested in birding then this park will not disappoint you. There are few rare species of birds in the park with lots of migratory birds. Apart from that nilgai and wildcats as well as wolves are also present.

And at last, we found a herd of male and female blackbucks. Though they were far away in the grassland we were able to see clearly with binoculars. Then they took us to the wetland, which is on the opposite side of the park. The lake is amazing with peace surrounding you like a cozy blanket. The chirping of birds and whistling of wind is your only companion. After our visit to the park, we went to a nearby restaurant for lunch.

Photo of Blackbuck National Park : Velavadar by kajal shah
Photo of Blackbuck National Park : Velavadar by kajal shah

As we were having enough time, we went ahead to Bhavnagar. We found a beautiful beach a few kilometers away from Bhavnagar, named Hathab. It is famous among the locals and yet less crowded and peaceful. The beach is relatively clean, there are few bungalows on the beach, which are maintained by the government and forest department. You have to pay nominal fees at the entry point of the beach.

And then we went to the second most amazing part of our trip...Nishkalank Mahadev Temple at Koliyak village. The temple is very old with five shivlings and nandis. It is believed that the Pandavas did their pooja here, after the Mahabharat war. The shivlings are totally submerged in the water during high tide. You can go up to them during low tide only. So before going you have to check the tide schedules of Bhavnagar. I am attaching a few links for the same below. This pace is a little crowded but as we always say, you can find a small secluded corner for yourself and enjoy one of the amazing sunsets from here just like us...You have to walk around 200-300 meters along the serpentine water-filled trails to reach the temple and it's worth every step.

Photo of Nishkalank Mahadev Temple, Bhavnagar, Gujarat, India by kajal shah
Photo of Nishkalank Mahadev Temple, Bhavnagar, Gujarat, India by kajal shah
Photo of Nishkalank Mahadev Temple, Bhavnagar, Gujarat, India by kajal shah
Photo of Nishkalank Mahadev Temple, Bhavnagar, Gujarat, India by kajal shah
Photo of Nishkalank Mahadev Temple, Bhavnagar, Gujarat, India by kajal shah
Photo of Nishkalank Mahadev Temple, Bhavnagar, Gujarat, India by kajal shah
Photo of Nishkalank Mahadev Temple, Bhavnagar, Gujarat, India by kajal shah
Photo of Nishkalank Mahadev Temple, Bhavnagar, Gujarat, India by kajal shah

The image of the setting sun at this temple will stay with us forever. Changing colors of the sky, flying birds, thumping sound of the drums, seawater slowly and gently coming near to you and submerging the steps of the temple one after another...We were stupefied by all these things... and as the sun disappeared from the sky, leaving behind all vibrant colors, my heart felt a sudden void, a state of deep loss...here I am viewing nature's spectacular event in front of me, my dear ones are just beside me laughing and chatting happily... what more can I ask for? Attaching the poem which was playing hide seek with my mind that evening...

Photo of Blackbuck National Park : Velavadar by kajal shah
Photo of Blackbuck National Park : Velavadar by kajal shah
Photo of Blackbuck National Park : Velavadar by kajal shah
Photo of Blackbuck National Park : Velavadar by kajal shah

Loss

Loss

We relate it to sadness

Sorrow

Heartbreak

Loss of our loved ones

Loss of endearment

Loss of friends

Loss of friendship

Loss of belongings

Loss of time

Sometime, somewhere

The voice whispers from the heart

Diving deep into those memories

We just witness them from afar

Beholding the past us

Cherishing the view

It doesn’t matter

Whether we shared laughs or tears

Just the view...

Just those moments...

Like sipping adrakh tea

On mountain summit...

And suddenly

Mind awakens

Flooding with a gush of emotions

Gigantic waves of sorrow

With the tsunami of grief

But

All in a while

Beyond all this anguish

The loss teaches us

To be strong and stronger

Imbibing our every cell

With elixir of pain

As they say,

You can dive and drown in it

Or

You can float and swim

It’s the best teacher one can ask

Teaching to stand like a rocky cliff

To fight like an angry tigress

To fall like a shining meteor

With teary eyes

With placid smile

With pounding heart

With jittery hands

With shivering spine

We tell ourselves

Here I am

Rising again...

Again...

And again...

            - Kajal

So this is it...

Fun-filled weekend with family and friends.

SaSha

Blackbuck Park - https://goo.gl/maps/jWJA8e8zNLgTSpUJ6

Hathab beach - https://goo.gl/maps/hQYBEjAMeAsntbTt6

Nishkalank Mahadev temple - https://goo.gl/maps/KQFN3ekYtngKnMtj6

Site for tide timings near Bhavnagar - https://www.tide-forecast.com/locations/Bhavnagar-India/tides/latest

The contact number of the guide at the park - Jamaal Khan - 9925961305 - He was very helpful. you can contact him beforehand also.