Sand Dunes of Thar Desert
Without a doubt, Rajasthan is well-known for its magnificent landmarks, fortresses, castles, and diverse culture and customs. However, it is also recognised for stunning sand dunes across vast expanses of the Great Indian Desert known as the Thar Desert.
The Thar Desert, also known as the Great Indian Desert, is a huge arid region in the northwestern section of the Indian subcontinent that spans 200,000 km2 (77,000 sq mi) and serves as a natural border between India and Pakistan. It is the world’s ninth largest subtropical desert and the 18th-largest desert overall. Sand ridges are among the most distinctive features of Rajasthan travel and excursions.
Explorers from all over the world come Rajasthan to appreciate the beauty of the undulating sand hills. Rajasthan excursions are incomplete unless and until you see the sand hills of Rajasthan by an energising camel safari or jeep safari. Camel safari and Jeep safari are two useful techniques to investigating the state’s sand rises.
Sandhills in Thar Desert are the accumulation of sands carried up by the desert’s fierce winds. You will have an amazing opportunity to observe the beautiful view of undulating sand hills rising against the blue sky of the Thar Desert. At nightfall, the sand hills appear emotional and are especially popular with honeymooning couples. Camel rides are one of the best ways to learn about the appeal of Thar Desert’s sand rises.
The Thar Desert stretches from the Aravalli Hills in the northeast to the Great Rann of Kutch along the coast and the alluvial plains of the Indus River in the west and northwest. The majority of the desert is covered by massive moving sand dunes that acquire sediments from the alluvial plains and coast.
The sand is particularly mobile due to the strong winds that blow across the open expanse at the start of the monsoon. The Luni is the only river that has been blended into the desert. Rainfall is sparse, ranging from 100 to 500 mm per year, relieving the sand’s thirst between July and September.
The Serai, a Relais & Chateaux deluxe tented camp, is located on a 100-acre private estate of indigenous desert scrub. The Serai is inspired by Rajputana’s royal caravan camps, combining the dash and vivacity of the Land of Kings.
There is no better site to experience the mysterious environs of Jaisalmer, including its famed golden citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Thar sands. Evenings are spent beneath the wide expanse of the desert sky, accentuated by the stars and the old melodies of Manganiyar folk singers, whose songs have haunted these dunes for centuries.
The sand dunes move like living beings, which is absolutely fascinating. In the desert, sand piles up into hills and ridges known as’sand dune’ or ‘huge ripple’ due to wind. During a big desert storm, the dunes might move up to ten meters! To move a sand grain, the air must be flowing at least 17 mph. While sand accumulates, it forms a steep slope. A pile of such loose sand can support a slope of around 34 degrees. When the slope exceeds 34 degrees, gravity takes over. Gravity drags the pile of loose sand down. Small avalanches form, and the sand dune rushes ahead across the countryside like a tank tread!
India accounts for approximately 85% of the Thar Desert, which is known as one of the most hostile areas in the world. Yet, fascinatingly, around 40% of Rajasthan’s population lives in this desert, making it an extraordinary culture to discover.
Explorers might start their desert expedition in Jaisalmer, a famous city situated in the plain centre of Rajasthan’s desert. Other well-known destinations for starting the desert project are Barmer, Jodhpur, and Bikaner.
The primary locations for sand ridges are Sam Village, Khuri Village, Ludharwa, Kanoi, and Kuldhara. Sam and Khuri towns are the most common locations for the sand hills. Sam town is approximately 42 km from Jaisalmer, one of India’s magnificent cities. From Jaisalmer, one can embark on an energising camel safari to the Sam Sand Dunes. Khuri town is located approximately 80 kilometres from Jaisalmer. Khuri is most renowned for his camel safari trips in Rajasthan, India.
Hillocks and sandy and gravel plains punctuate the desert’s sand expanses. In comparison to other deserts throughout the world, the vegetation, human culture, and animal life in this arid region are extremely diverse. There are around 23 lizard species and 25 snake species present here, with several being indigenous to the region.
The Thar Desert is one of the world’s most densely populated deserts, with the majority of its residents working in agriculture and animal husbandry. Agriculture is not a reliable source of income in this region because at least one-third of crops fail following the rains. Animal husbandry, trees, and grasses intercropped with crops or fruit trees are the most effective models for arid, drought-prone areas. The region experiences frequent droughts. Overgrazing caused by large animal populations, wind and river erosion, mining, and other businesses have all contributed to significant soil degradation.
Camel excursions in the desert near Jaisalmer are becoming increasingly popular. Domestic and foreign tourists flock to the desert for camel rides that can last anywhere from a day to several days. This ecotourism industry varies from low-cost backpacker hikes to luxurious Arabian night-style campsites complete with feasts and cultural shows. During the treks, guests can see the Thar Desert’s endangered and magnificent nature. Many operators and camel owners in Jaisalmer benefit from this type of tourism, which also employs many camel trekkers in adjacent desert communities. People from all over the world come to view the Pushkar ka Mela (Pushkar Fair) and oasis.
