The year was 1290 . A crowd had gathered around a clearing, where broken down pillars marked the presence of an ancient temple, now long gone. A young boy, just 14 years old, leaned against one of those pillars, deep in thought. Then, he began speaking, and the crowd fell silent, listening to his every word. He spoke without any notes, translating the Bhagavat Gita, from Sanskrit, which only the pundits knew, to the language everyone in the village knew and spoke – a variety of Prakrit which developed into the Marathi language. Even as he spoke, one of the men in the audience realized how momentous this event was, and how important this composition would be. He began writing down the words the young boy spoke, and this composition was named by its author and composer, the Bhavartha Deepika – the enlightening meaning (of the Bhagavat Gita). Now, the ancient, holy text, was no longer restricted to the pundits, but accessible to all, understood easily by them, composed as it was, in their...
Black Bucks ran across the road, peacocks danced as we watched, birds flew into the air, and insects and reptiles scuttled into their safe havens at our approach. Our recent trip to Jaisalmer was full of such 'wild' encounters!
It all began with this tiny insect I saw on the ground. Its camouflage was what attracted me the most.... I think its some variety of cricket.
Then, as we stopped to look at a string of camels, we spotted a surprisingly large number of lizards disappearing into their holes. At first, this is all we could see...
Then, I was lucky to get a closer shot of the lizard... it looks like a Desert Monitor, but can someone help with the name please?
P.S. Thanks to Sumer Singh Rathore and Adesh Shivkar, for identifying this as the Indian Spiny Tailed Lizard or Saara Hardwickii, called 'Saand' in the local language. They are common in the arid regions of Gujarat and Rajasthan and are prey food for several species of raptors. Also, they are prey to humans, who extract oil from them for medicinal and other purposes.
P.S. Thanks to Sumer Singh Rathore and Adesh Shivkar, for identifying this as the Indian Spiny Tailed Lizard or Saara Hardwickii, called 'Saand' in the local language. They are common in the arid regions of Gujarat and Rajasthan and are prey food for several species of raptors. Also, they are prey to humans, who extract oil from them for medicinal and other purposes.
While looking for the lizards, this is what we saw... A complete contrast to the first camouflage, right? This bug couldnt stand out more if it tried!!! It is the Red Velvet Mite, or Rain Bug, and interestingly, is called Beer Bahuti, in India, and is used for a variety of local medicines!! Want to know more, head to the Wikipedia page, which has some gory details...
Later, we surprised a herd of Nilgais at a watering hole.
But the most memorable were the number of peacocks we saw at the Khaba Fort!!
I haven't even begun to talk of the birds we saw, simply because to stop for them would have meant missing some other interesting aspects of the desert. They will have to wait for another trip!!
I was in Jaisalmer on an invite from Suryagarh, Jaisalmer, for a Travel Bloggers and Writers meet, and this trip showed me a completely different side of Jaisalmer... one which made me want to go back, at leisure! The wildlife is just one aspect of it, and there is lots more coming up soon!
Beautiful captures,the peacock looks as if it is posing for you.LOL.Great work :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Avneet!! There were so many peacocks that it was easy to click them! all we had to do was wait for the right pose!!
DeleteWhen did you click all these Anu!!! Awesome ones :)
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sid! I clicked the insect at the temple while you were busy with clicking Ankita and the others on the ground.. the bug before we realised we had left you behind, and the lizard when we brought you back!!! you saw the nilgai as well didnt you, at the watering place?
DeleteThe lizard is a Spiny-tailed Lizard (Saara hardwickii, syn. Uromastyx hardwickii) ..... they are common in the arid regions Rajasthan and Gujarat and a prey food for several species of raptors (Eagles, Falcons etc)
ReplyDeletehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saara_hardwickii
-Adesh Shivkar
Thank you so much, Adesh!!
DeleteLovely shots.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Niranjan!
DeleteAnu, glad to know that you are having a good time traveling with family. Do you have any plans to visit Karnataka? Do let me know. Also, did you opt for package tour or you traveled on your own. What I mean is, did you plan your own itinerary? Do share tips and suggestions for first-time travelers to Jaisalmer.
ReplyDeleteThank you Rajesh! I visited Jaisalmer as part of a bloggers group. We did not plan our itinerary.
DeleteRajasthan is colorful and "wild"ful as well !
ReplyDeleteLoved the pictures! Specially the red valvet mite.
ReplyDelete