Rajasthan Travel Guide

Thar Desert – The Great Indian Desert

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Rajasthan is indeed known for its fascinating tours and its royal trips with numerous forts, palaces, havelis and mansions which are the epitome of splendid architecture that used to be the royal lifestyle of the Rajput’s. The entire state is settled on the golden sands of the Thar Desert which is also known as the Great Indian Desert because of its widespread area of more than about 320,000 km2 (120,000 sq mi), of which more than sixty percent which is the lion’s share comes under Rajasthan and also extends into the other states such as, Haryana, Punjab, and Gujarat in India and some areas of Pakistan.

Where is Thar Desert ?

The Thar desert is the largest desert of India and covers the various districts of Rajasthan that are Jodhpur, Bikaner and Barmer and Jaisalmer, which are having the sand under their feet and the tourists who visit there find the powdery sands of the Thar to experience the sands of the Majestic Thar. The normal topography comprises of sandy terrain, barren hilly ranges of the Aravalli, and the salty lakes are stretched to the Sambhar, Kuchaman, Didwana in Rajasthan and Kharaghoda in Gujarat and people can go for the exclusive desert safaris which will make them closer to the sands.

Thar Desert in Rajasthan

Photo Credit : Honza Soukup

Biodiversity

Plants in Thar Desert – Though it is complete desert area and the desert has some subtropical species of plants, shrubs, and trees. And among the common ones Acacia jacquemontii, Capparis decidua, Mimosa hamate, Balanitesroxburghii, and many others are seen. Some of the widespread floral species include Prosopis cineraria, Acacia nilotica, Tamarixaphylla, Cenchrusbiflorus are seen here that more often seems like thorns.

Thar Desert Animals – Thar Desert is having many biodiversity parks and ecological garden are there in Thar where the tourists can have a visit and all of them houses many beautiful animals and endangered species and that is why Thar has many protected areas that are spread both in India and Pakistan region.

Thar has some prime protected areas such as Nara Desert Wildlife Sanctuary and Rann of Kutch Wildlife Sanctuary which both are located in the district of Mirpurkhas and Badin in Sindh respectively. The place is apt for watching flamingos and many other water birds species such as shell duck, mallard, pochard, water owls,common teal, and pelican. People can also see the various other birds such ashoubara bustard and the peregrine peafowl, sarus cranes, falcon, and saker falcons.

Thar Desert Attractions & Activities

Thar Desert is known for Camel Safari, Desert Safari and Jeep Safari . There are a national park and wildlife sanctuary in the desert where you can explore the wildlife and vegetation of the desert. Camping in Thar Desert is another option to enjoy the desert of Rajasthan.

Sunset in Thar Desert

Photo Credit : bjvs

Desert National Park : In the Indian region there are three protected areas are there where the tourists can have a nice time watching the birds in the Desert National Park where they can watch out for many migratory and resident birds of Thar. Some of the common ones are eagles, harriers, buzzards, kestrel and vultures and falcons. Tourists can also watch out for many species of eagles such as Short-toed eagles, tawny eagles, spotted eagles, laggar falcons, and kestrels are the most commonly seen. Tourists can also see Sandgrouse swimming in the small ponds or lakes and exclusive tourist can watch out for the rare great Indian bustard. The Desert National Park is also having a great collection of fossils of animals and plants that are more than 180 million years old and they also have the fossils of dinosaurs that are of 6 million years old.

Tal Chappar Sanctuary : In the Indian area of protected areas tourists can visit the Tal Chhapar Sanctuary which is also a great place to watch some domestic animals and birds. The very rare black buck is found here along with some great bird watching opportunities and can be easily accessible from Jaipur and Bikaner through jeep safari.

The sanctuary is mostly known as a hub of migratory birds and the tourists can watch out for mostly harriers. The sanctuary is a home to loads of harriers,Skylarks, crested larks, ring doves, and brown doves little green bee-eaters, black ibis and demoiselle craneseastern imperial eagle, tawny eagle, short-toed eagle, sparrow, and can be enjoyed till autumn. Among the animals, the tourists can watch out for Desert fox and desert cat can also be dotted with roaming sand grouse. Among other various migratory birds the tourist can spot the Montagur’s, marsh harrier, pale harrier, ring drove, brown dove, blue jayimperial eagle, tawny eagle, sparrow hawk, skylark, short toed eagle, crested lark, green bee-eaters, black ibis and demoiselle cranes.

Safari in Thar Desert : The Tourists can also go for the various safaris through many modes of sand transport such as Jeep safaris and Camel safaris. The tourists will love the sand dunes and the flowing golden sands under their feet which will make them fall in love with the visuals.

The camel safaris can be arranged through many organizers in the various cities of Rajasthan such as Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, and Bikaner. And not only to see the sand dunes but there are many options for which the tourist can go for the safaris and among them the sunrise and the sunset which are a splendid view that surely not to be missed and the visitors can also look for the best views of the significant and royal states of the desert with the various Rajput palaces, and their courtyard mansions and complexly carved temples for which Rajasthan is known for.

Jodhpur is a city from which the beauty of Thar Desert can be seen and the tourists will love the view of the Umaid Bhawan Palace, Mehrangarh Fort, Moti Mahal, Saradar Market, Bishnoi villages and many other small villages to see the spectacular rural life of Rajasthan. Moreover the tourists can view the night life of the Thar Desert through safaris as the nights are here just made for high culture entertainment and festivals and there are many stately festivals are organized and among them the Desert Festival is one of them which is popular worldwide. Rajasthan is famous for it’s local dances and puppet shows and while being on the safaris one can enjoy them generously on the Thar Desert tour.

Thar Desert Photo Gallery

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