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Weekend Trip to Kotishwar


Bharathi R works with Essar Steel, Surat. She travels, treks, rides horses, bicycles, and enjoys mountaineering and skiing.


I started travelling on a shoestring as a student when three square meals and a decent roof over the head was difficult to manage - so money for photos was out of the question. Since I take photography very seriously, I could never settle for Hot Shot type cameras! And thus got used to the habit of not carrying a camera on small trips.

I was lucky to have done my schooling from Madras (that's where my folks are), B.E.from BIT, Mesra Ranchi, MBA from FMS Delhi and spent four years in Bombay with Essar - so that did give me a chance to check out a lot of places, for someone my age. Ours is a great country... incredible variety and warm people!

More on Gujarat
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• Bombay Local Rat


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On a recent weekend trip to Kotishwar/Narayan Sarovar in Gujarat, for some strange reason, I was so moved that I would like to share the experience. At long last, I stood, arguably (but not quite, says my atlas) at the westernmost point in the country - and felt like that guy Amundsen probably did when he stood at the South Pole. At Kotishwar, near the small BSF checkpost, is an old temple, overlooking the sea. Looking out to the Kori creek, I was fascinated by one of the most beautiful expanses of sea I have ever seen. The fabulous sunset was an exotic treat.

I got accommodation at Narayan Sarovar at a guest house which gave me two free, basic but good meals (ghee smeared rotis, et al) and a clean basic room with bed, fan etc., all for an `astronomical' Rs.7.50 per day - viva la Jain philanthrophy. There I met a fine old gentleman from Hyderabad, and we ended up discussing Bertrand Russell - whoever said solo travel is boring?

 

At Kotishwar, near the small BSF checkpost, is an old temple, overlooking the sea. Looking out to the Kori creek, I was fascinated by one of the most beautiful expanses of sea I have ever seen.
I returned via Mandvi on the coast, and Bhuj - this weekend was exceptional for the range of landscapes I got to see from the fertile southern coastal strip to the desolate wastelands further north and west. At Bhuj, there is a great palace - though the indifferent maintenance and cartloads of pigeon droppings break one's heart. The views from its Clock Tower are amazing. Don't miss the palace museum. This place also sells some very informative literature on the Kutch region - it's people and arts, though one would do well to forgive and forget the standard of English. There is an interesting Kutch museum at Bhuj, 0.5 km away (closed Sat. and for lunch 12-3 pm). It is also an eye-opener to observe how some of the older people here relate to the Karachi of pre-partition days better than they do to faraway Ahmedabad or Bombay!

The best part about the trip is the amazing contrast between the desolate landscape and the mindblowing colours sported by the locals - I am still dazed - how can these people make so much out of their lives when Mother Nature gave them so little? I guess the truth is that when we have very little, there is much better optimisation of resources.... an earlier trip to Ladakh taught me that!

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There is a lot to be seen in the Kutch belt though it does not figure in the popular tourist circuit. All the better for it ! This is a much recommended trip for those interested in people and landscapes. (Pilgrims and temple enthusiasts will be better off in Saurashtra, though).

The best way to get there is via Gandhidham, in the overnight Kutch Express from Bombay. There is a convenient connecting local bus (really colourful crowd) which will take five hours to get you to Narayan Sarovar in time to catch the much needed 2 p.m. lunch at the Guest House. However, the lake is better described as a pond.

Happy Kutching!


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