Ekal nu Rann : Ekant (Solitude) in Emptiness…
Hello all,
There is a quote by Roman philosopher Emile M Cioran,” Is it possible that existence is our exile and nothingness our home?”.
Even Lord Buddha has said,” When you go into the space of nothingness, everything becomes known.”
Last full moon, we went to such a place. Isn’t it the greatness of a place where the nothingness is so enormous that it is imprinted in your psyche like nothing can? As it is said, there is everything in this nothingness. There is an ending, and there is a beginning—the ending of inner turmoil and the beginning of peace. Peace of mind, which is endless, like the universe. Isn’t it the mediation all about? Merging into this nothingness? Finding immense peace, losing yourself in this vastness, and just dissolving…
Places like this evoke certain emotions that soothe your jitters. Here there is nothingness which gives you stillness, and in this stillness, you find solitude. In the pursuit of everything, we have lost the essence of emptiness. Here in this plain white Rann, you can get a glimpse of that emptiness and maybe, maybe, you can sharpen your senses at the minuscule level and differentiate between immaterial illusions and pure placidness.
The Rann is like plain khichdi. It is just a bare white land, and you still feel the divinity. It is like a simple chiffon saree, so plain yet so impactful. Plain white starched, properly ironed shirt. Plain soft white cloth, we wrap around a newborn. Blank notebook just before school starts. No colors, no drama, no chaos. Just plain endless white land and infinite blue sky.
But. But. Let the dawn or dusk come. Now, the sky can’t wait any longer, and suddenly, it becomes a giant canvas, ready to create mesmerizing paintings, and our beloved land also joins it. The colors of the sky during sunset and its effect on white sand are beyond the scope of the description.
I find immense calm here, just like the mountains. I think I am becoming a hoarder of these feelings and emotions I get from visiting such places. I gently store all of them in the crevices of my heart. So even in the chaos of the city or quotidian life, all I have to do is just close my eyes, open that part, and just breathe…
Rann of Kutch:
In a true sense, this is a salt desert of around 26,000 kilometers. This includes both Great Rann and Little Rann of Kutch. Some part of this desert is also there in the Sindh region of Pakistan. The landscape of both Great Rann and Little Rann are totally different.
The Rann was initially a part of the Arabian Sea, but after the shift of tectonic plates, the connection with the sea was lost, and it was converted into marshy land. In winter months, the area is covered in flat salt-covered land, and in summer and monsoon, it is a salty wetland.
Ekal nu Rann is just a part of the Great White Rann of Kutch, near Dhordo. We didn’t go to Dhordo. The reason was the crowd. When you want to see the true essence of any place, you want solitude. Then only you can feel the soul of that place. And we wanted that regard, so we chose this Ekal nu Rann near village Chobari, thanks to Mr. Ramaji bhai Meriya. He is a passionate Rann lover. He has seen Rann in all forms and from all places. He is a photographer, a homestay owner, a guide, an author, and a philosopher.
How to reach:
The Ekal nu Rann is located just beyond Ekal Mata Nu Mandir, near the village of Chobari. The roads are good, and you can easily go by taxi or car.
Where to stay?
In Chobari, Mr Ramjibhai has a campsite with few rooms. It is like a homestay with rustic feel. His property is near the lake, from where you can see a magnificent sunrise. You will feel the quietness, contrasting to the tent city.
Things to do:
– Rann visit
– Ekal Mata nu Mandir – There is one Ashram at the premises of the Mandir with rooms available for stay
– Stargazing – the sky is so clear in Rann. So, if you are an astronomy lover, then this is the place for you.
– Visit on the full moon or a day before or after the full moon, and you will be amazed at the beauty of the place. We just waited for the moon to rise for nearly an hour. And when the moon appeared from the horizon, yes, literally like the sun, we just stood there holding our breaths. Every fiber of our being merged with our surroundings. The darkness of the sky and the lights from the moon, which was just looking like a newly born offspring of the sun.
This is the most spectacular moonrise we have witnessed till date..
– Sunset – You can’t miss the sunset when you are in Rann.
You won’t find any commercial touristy things here like traditional dress photography, folk music, paramotoring, camel riding, etc.. so if you genuinely want to enjoy Rann, then only you should come here. Otherwise, you can definitely visit The Great Rann, where you can see the true colors of the culture of Rann! Those are also great in themselves. Even in Great Rann, you can find such calmness; it’s just that you have to walk a considerable distance for that.
Points to consider:
The afternoon sun can be harsh even in winter.
Take proper water with you.
Only go a little ahead with a guide because it is very easy to get lost in this vastness.
So this Larger-than-life heavenly realm of Rann should be there on your bucket list. Just come here, try to find the meaning of known unknowns, and connect with the universe, which is as essential for our existence as the salt beneath your feet in Rann…ગુજરાતીમાં કહું તો બસ જઈએ શૂન્યતાના અવકાશમાં…
Location:
From Bhachau : 45 km, 60 minutes
From Bhuj : 115 km , 2 hours 20 minutes
Contact number of Ramjibhai Meriya: 9825968216
Location of : Meriya Nature Zone
That’s it.
Dont forget to share this post with your friends and families…
Thank you.
On my way to this heaven
We hope you enjoy it as much as we did! Let us know about your experience…
White Rann of the Kutch
this seems different ?
It is just a small part of Great White Rann.. but more isolated…
All good things are Free !
You just need Eyes to realise it , Ears to hear it and Patience to feel it
Thank you… so true!
Kutch nahi dekha to kucch nahi dekha !
after reading this this looks so true
Sache!
Dr U have penned down a mastepiece
The wonders of nature are awe-inspiring; they make us believe that only a supreme power could have created such a masterpiece. It is sometimes hard to find how such geographical features were formed, with all the scientific discoveries and technologies. The Ran of Kutch is onesuch mystic beauty that draws many towards Gujarat.
Am based in Palanpur and have been often going to kutch
Kirit
Thank you so much for appreciating…yes we are lucky to have such a gem in our state..
Sheel ! I belong to bachau but have not been there since long
After reading this is looks worth giving a home visit !
Oh, that’s great!
Ekalyu rann !
heard it for the first time . where exactly dis u end up here and how in this world despite so much popularity and publicity u keep on ending with unique places !
Thank you..🙏🏼
We wanted to avoid Dhordo and found this one on Googgle maps while searching for homestays
Rann , Lets run off to this great place
🙂🙂
Awesome
Thank you..