When we arrived in Bhuj (a city in Gujarat State, India), a light drizzle welcomed us. After settling into our homestay, our guide, Vikramsinh Sodha, came to us with a suggestion, excitement in his eyes: ‘How about checking out a unique landscape that looks like a mini Grand Canyon?’ It wasn’t part of our original plan, but it definitely caught our interest.
He told us about the Lyari riverbed, where the ancient river Lyari had over millennia shaped the riverbed into amazing rock and sand formations—a geological landscape of beautiful colours and textures formed by weathering and erosion. Captivated by his description, we agreed to go.
We travelled from Bhuj to the Lyari riverbed, close to Banni Grasslands and Dhinodhar Hill. Although usually dry, the river fills with water during the rainy season. Surprisingly, after a week of heavy rains, only a handful of small puddles were left. The banks are lined with scrub forests, which are relatively unaffected by development. However, the surrounding areas are already under pressure—plans are on the anvil for solar panel parks, windmills, and mining, threatening this geoheritage site. As Vikram parked the vehicle, a light shower began to fall, and we were greeted by cool air and an expansive view of the Lyari riverbed.
The recent rains had brought to life the colours and textures of these prehistoric rock formations. And the jagged cliffs and smooth undulations (serpentine rock formations) seemed to glow in the soft light, presenting a stunning scene. We walked cautiously along the riverbed, capturing its beauty. Each click froze the riverbed’s time-worn patterns and shifting textures.
Please click to watch the video
After we spent more than two hours on the riverbed, the rain intensified, forcing us to head back to Bhuj. Enchanted by the intricate patterns of the Lyari landscape, I found myself reaching for my pen to craft a poem:
Nature’s Masterpiece
Upon the canvas of the Lyari bed,
Nature, the artist, with strokes so divine,
In hues of ochre, gold, and crimson spread,
Crafts shifting landscapes, a wondrous design.
With wind as her brush, she sweeps the stone,
While water dances, a gentle caress,
Each wave a whisper, a soft undertone,
In this gallery of beauty, I’m left to confess.
As centuries pass, her art evolves anew,
Jagged cliffs and smooth curves tell stories untold,
In every grain of sand, a vision shines through,
A testament to time, both fleeting and bold.
As a mere mortal, I stand in awe,
Of nature’s masterpiece, without a flaw.
Superb narration sir.
I had been to Bhuj but couldn't get chance to view this marvelous creation of mother nature 🙏
Wonderfully penned sir, indeed it is a treasure of mother nature, a sight which will require millions of years to be seen again if once disturbed. Govt. should take initiative to preserve such a beauty of nature .
Reading your blog brought the landscape alive thousands of miles away 👏👏👏
Nice poem Paul
As usual awesome