Welcome to Rann Riders ann Riders is an ethnically designed eco-resort, set among agricultural fields and wetlands, near the village of Dasada. It is an ideal base to explore the Little Rann of Kutch Wildlife Sanctuary, picturesqueR villages and pastoral settlements, the handlooms and handicrafts of Surendranagar district, and architectural masterpieces like Modhera and Patan.
Rann Riders is owned and managed by the descendants of the former rulers of Dasada. The family is knowledgeable about the history, culture and wildlife of the area.
About the Resort ann Riders is an eco-friendly resort imaginatively designed using local materials to recreate the appearance of a village. The resort has cottages, resembling the kooba houses of the Bajania community ofR Dasada and the bhunga houses of the Rabaris of Kutch, decorated with mirrors, mud-plaster work and embroideries. Inside, the cottages are a superb hybrid of traditional decor and modern comforts. The furnishings are mostly embroidered linen and cushion covers from the nearby villages. Each of the cottages has an a/c twin-bedroom, with a comfortable cane bed, a dry dressing area and a tiled bathroom with western-style toilet fittings and hot-and-cold showers.
Rann Riders has an attractive dining hall, with bolsters, cushions, embroideries and other regional handicrafts. The ethnically-designed kitchen offers a range of cuisine including regional specialities, with large choices for both vegetarians and non-vegetarians, using mainly fresh local produce. Mammals ann Riders has a fleet of open vehicles for cross-country safaris in the Little Rann of Kutch, a 4950 sq km wildlife sanctuary comprising a huge expanse of saline desert wilderness interspersed with grass- and-scrublandsR and marshes.
The Little Rann of Kutch is well-known as the remaining habitat of the endangered Indian Wild Ass, a magnificent member of the horse family. The range of the Indian Wild Ass once extended from western India, through Sindh and Baluchistan, Afghanistan, and south-eastern Iran but now has its last refuge in and around the Little Rann of Kutch. It is reddish grey, fawn or pale chestnut, with white underparts, and has an erect, dark mane which runs from the back of the head and along the neck followed by a dark brown stripe running along the back, to the root of the tail. All guests of Rann Riders have got to see the Indian wild ass, often in large family herds. Nilgai (blue bull), the largest antelope in India, are easily sighted in and around Dasada, and during the safaris.
Many Rann Riders guests have seen Indian and White-footed Desert Foxes, Golden Jackal, Chinkara (Indian Gazelle), the endangered Indian Wolf, Desert, Jungle and Fishing Cats, and Striped Hyena. The Little Rann of Kutch is a good place to see small mammals like hares, hedgehogs, gerbil and field mice, and bats.
The Little Rann is inhabited by desert-dwelling reptiles including the Spiny- tailed Lizard.
Birds asada is ideally situated for birdwatchers. About 380 species of birds have been recorded in and around the Little Rann Sanctuary. Birdwatchers have seen more than 140 species of birds in a single dayD while staying at Dasada.
The Little Rann Sanctuary is declared an Important Bird Area by Birdlife International. Many characteristic birds of the Saharo-Sindian Desert region like Chestnut Belled, Spotted and Painted Sandgrouse, a dozen species of Lark, Desert and Variable Wheatears, and White-eared Bulbul. Among the key species that can be seen here are Macqueen’s Bustard, Stolizka’s Bushchat, Syke’s Lark, Crested Lark, Greater Hoopoe Lark and Sociable Lapwing.
The wetlands in and around Dasada are a paradise for wetland birds. Even those who are not birdwatchers will enjoy seeing the large flocks of Greater and Lesser Flamingos, Spoonbill, White Pelican and other magnificently coloured birds that can be seen at Tundi Tower wetlands, Nawa Talao, Vanod and other lakes. Huge flocks of ducks and geese can be seen at these wetlands in winter. Several thousand Demoiselle and Common Cranes visit the Little Rann during the winter months. Small and Collared Pratincole, Kentish Plover, Avocet, Black-tailed Godwit and other waders can be seen at the shallow wetlands of the Little Rann.
The Little Rann Sanctuary is also good for raptors including Aquila eagles, three species of harrier, buzzards and a variety of falcons. Crafts and Culture tour of Dasada and its surrounding villages offers an insight into a variety of cultures and handicrafts. The pastoral Kharapat and Vadiyara Rabaris are known for their exquisite embroidery with Aherringbone stitches interspersed with small mirrors, using occasional chain stitch for peacocks and other fabrics. The borders of their veil-like head coverings have large embroidered dots. Kharapat Rabaris live in thirty-five villages between Sankeshwar and Kharagodha and continue to herd cattle and live by dairy farming. According to their local lore, Dasada was founded by the Kharapat Rabaris. Both men and women also traditionally wore a boat shaped gold pendant called vankdi dodi.
The Bharwads are colourfully dressed pastoral people, usually shepherds and goatherds. Bharvad men are famed for their flamboyant style. They wear red turban, embroidered clothes, gold upper earrings, both tansiya (rings) and phul (umbrella-like studs), and silver kadu (bracelets) and kanduro (belt). Closely associated with the Bharvads are the Dangasia, traditional weavers.
Dasada falls in Surendranagar district, which is known for its weavers. A unique weaving technique here is called Tangalio. Woven on a narrow width pit loom, the Tangalio has a single warp but the weft has extra knots which is why the weave is called Tangalio (knots in Gujarati). Single ikat weaving also thrives in the area.
On the periphery of Dasada lives a community of 15 families of nomadic Mirs. Their dress is Rajasthani, their homes are temporary. They make artistic bangles.
Places to Visit Modhera Sun Temple (40 km) The 11th century Sun temple of Modhera is easily one of the finest examples of devotional architecture in western India. The exterior of temple is carved with traditional erotic scenes and images of many gods and goddesses, while inside are friezes from epics like the Mahabharata portrayed on the pillars.
Patan (70 km) The Rani-ki-Vav stepwell at Patan, built in the mid-11th century, is the oldest and perhaps the grandest among the 120 odd step wells in Gujarat. Its sculptures are impressive in quality and quantity. Patan is also a centre for double ikat weaving, a technique used by only a few families to produce valuable Patola fabrics, and Mashru weaving.
Jhinjhwada (19 km) Jhinjhwada has the remains of an old fort of the Solanki dynasty that ruled the area in the 11th and 12th centuries. The most impressive relic of the fort is a huge gateway separating the village from the Rann of Kutch with superb sandstone carvings.
Munsar Tank (30 km) This 12th century tank on the outskirts of the walled town of Viramgam is enclosed by scores of intricately carved temples. Balaram-Ambaji Sanctuary
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Gir National Park Navsari Purna Sanctuary Rann Riders Valsad Dasada 382750, District - Surendranagar, Vansada Gujarat, India National Park Cell: +91 9925236014 Telefax: +91 2757 280257/280457 Email: [email protected], [email protected] Website: www.rannriders.com, www.littlerannofkutch.com
Credits: Photographs: Text: Design: Dhritiman Mukherjee Anil Mulchandani Melwyn Patel Dinesh Shukla Melwyn Patel Culture and crafts Information: Printed: Yogendra Shah Judy Frater Patel Printing Press