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Gone are the days when the word 'desert' meant a barren dry landscape with hot sand dunes roasted under the scorching sunlight. But, Trust me! There is more to it. So let me tell you something about the deserts beyond the facts that were read in the textbooks. If you think that a desert is classified as a golden land, it would be better to give it a second thought. Mother Nature has painted deserts in two colors and the other color shimmers brightly in white. Another compelling fact about the same is that even the creatures of a white desert camouflage in the similar color. Isn't that fascinating?
Whether is the desolated acreage of Kutch or the valley of cold highlands of the Himachal, a desert is more than we all stereotype it with. Want more info on the famous deserts? Here, we have compiled a list of the most amazing deserts in the country for your next trip.
Well, India houses thirteen most picturesque and stunning deserts; one can fall in love with. Don't skip to visit at least one of these fantasy lands in your lifetime.
Also termed as the Golden City, this city is one of the most important parts of Rajasthan. It has an enchanting and humongous bed of sand close to the Indo-Pakistan border and rests in the heart of the Thar Desert. During the India-Pakistan war in 1965 and 1971, the Indian government recognized the significance of Jaisalmer's strategic position near the border. The major tourist attraction here is the Jaisalmer Fort and Desert Camel Safari.
India's Wild West, Kutch is known as a district of the Gujarat state. This great geographic phenomenon boasts the primeval temples, captivating palaces, rugged citadels, enchanting flamingos, and much more. It is majorly covered by a shallow marshland with the swampy salt flats that seems like an infinite area of snow. Gujarat is famed for the Great Rann Of Kutch that holds a magnificent natural history. Desert Safaris in the vast drylands are the major attractions for the adventure aficionados.
Being a prominent Hindu pilgrimage town, the Pushkar is one of the ancient existing cities of India, well described as a muddle of religious and tourist scenes. The town coils around a holy lake that is said to have emerged when Lord Brahma dropped a lotus flower. With 52 holy ghats and 400 milky-blue shrines, the town hums with theperiodic soundtrack of chantings, drums, gongs and religious songs. Famed for fairs like Pushkar Camel Fair, Nagaur Fair, Pushkar Fair, Blue Lotus Festival (February) and Tejaji fair, the town fetches droves of tourists throughout the year. Separated by the craggy Nag Pahar, Pushkar is just 11km away from the Ajmer city. So, you can include that too in your itinerary.
A renowned city in the northwest of the state of Rajasthan, Bikaner is also known as the 'camel country'. It is famed for its scrumptious desserts and snacks eaten on a broad scale. Moreover, its vivacious cultural lifestyle also has another aspect of the desolated barren landscapes. The main attractions of this Indian Desert are the Desert Safari and stunning Sand Dunes. The renowned International Camel festival draws the wayfarers in plentitude here. And yes, do not skip visiting the shrine of Karni Mata. It is a surprise waiting for you all.
Jodhpur, an ancient city, has a lot of surprises in store for every adventure enthusiast. The great landscapes with massive sand dunes are apt for a desert safari. The excitement doubles with the camel treks, which are the best for exploring the wilds. Spot and ensnare the blackbucks, foxes, and blue bulls in your cameras as you sojourn through your journey.Watching the rose-colored sun melting between the dunes will mesmerize you for sure.
Located in the southern part of the Rajasthan state, the quintessence of Rajput pride, passion, and essence- Chittorgarh resonates with the saga of valor, tenacity, and sacrifice, which is apparent as it is sung with great pride by the Bards of Rajasthan. The desert land lay in solitude that echoes the legends of heroism and sacrifice made by the Great Rajput rulers, who sacrificed their lives combating a superior enemy instead of relinquishing their honor to them. Along with the desert safaris and camel treks, a must-see is The Fort of Chittorgarh that is a treasure trove of history.
A prominent example of defensive fortification in Rajsamand district of Rajasthan and one of the famous tourist destinations, Kumbhalgarh houses famous bastion, shrines, and a wildlife reserve. Experience the amazing view of the sandy Marwar desert along with the harsh and wild scenery of the Aravalis while standing high on the famous Kumbhalgarh Fort, positioned on a rocky hill. Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary boasts some of the famous species of fauna. And remember! Do visit the ancient Jain temples known for their antique architectural structure.
Established by Raja Ajaypal Chauhan in the 7th century AD, Ajmer is nestled in the Aravalis of Jaipur. This city embraces the renowned Dargah Sharif that houses the Tomb of Garib Nawaz, also famed as Moinuddin Chisti (the founder of the Chisti order of Sufism). An equal sacred place for Hindus and Muslims, Ajmer is the center of history, culture, and beauty.
A former princely town with slender streets of Brahmin-blue houses, lochs, hills, marketplaces, and a shrine at every turn, Bundi is subjugated by a fantastical palace of worn parchment vaults. The view of the palace rising from the hillside above the town is utterly ethereal. Bundi lies in the Hadoti district of the royal state of Rajasthan. With numerous resonating waterfalls, Bundi is patterned with rivers and lakes and consecrated with a plethora of flora and fauna.
Hovering on the edge of the great Thar Desert, is a small village Khimsar. It is a part of the Nagaur District, hemmed midway between Jodhpur and Bikaner, in the middle of rural India. The architectural splendor of the renowned Fort of Khimsar propels a great heterogeneity. Hosting the famous Nagaur Cattle Fair, Khimsar fetches throngs of tourists every year.
Untouched from urbanization, Ladakh is an authentic land of ancestral customs. At an awesome altitude ranging from9000 feet to 25170 feet, Ladakh has a mesmerizing natural beauty and fascinating landscapes. Being in a complete rain-shadow region, it is a cold high-altitude desert with whimsical, sometimes quirky, landscapes. Also known as 'the land of high passes', Ladakh is a famous destination for the adventure bike tours. Since it houses numerous monasteries, it is swarmed by monks extensively.
Another chunk ofTibetan exquisiteness in India, Spiti isa trans-Himalayan region that acquires the speckled villages in this notched desert that arrives like the whitewashed mud-brick houses clustered amidst the green barley fields below the hermitages hovering on crags a thousand feet above. This high altitude desert, flourished with a pristine nature is known as 'Mini Ladakh' attracts many bikers for adventure tours.
Beyond the relaxing and reclusive side of Ladakh, there are magnificent silver sand dunes of Hunder in the Nubra Valley. Elevated at an altitude of 4,000 meters, the desert is slashed by a placid stream and the picturesque countryside. The Hunder Sand Dune appears like a fairy world with stunning sceneries and the backdrop of the snow-clad mountains. A Bactrian camel safari will definitely take you back to the time when the trade was pretty blatant in Hunder.
The heterogeneity of this intriguing nation lies in all four directions. All you need to do is choose one to have a rendezvous with these tantalizing sands for an elating experience.
