top of page
Writer's picturedevanandpaul

Rocky Landscape of Lyari Riverbed



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.



978 views8 comments

Recent Posts

See All

8件のコメント


sunita gupta
sunita gupta
10月08日

Superb narration sir.

I had been to Bhuj but couldn't get chance to view this marvelous creation of mother nature 🙏

いいね!
devanandpaul
devanandpaul
10月08日
返信先

Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed the narration. Hopefully, you’ll get a chance to experience this marvel of nature on your next visit!

いいね!

Geeta Bhadauria
Geeta Bhadauria
10月08日

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 .

編集済み
いいね!
devanandpaul
devanandpaul
10月08日
返信先

Thank you! I agree—nature's beauty is irreplaceable, and it's vital for the government to preserve these treasures for future generations.

いいね!

Krishnakumar Venkateswaran
Krishnakumar Venkateswaran
10月08日

Reading your blog brought the landscape alive thousands of miles away 👏👏👏

いいね!
devanandpaul
devanandpaul
10月08日
返信先

Thank you! I’m glad my blog helped bring the landscape to life for you!

いいね!

Hariharasudhan Sivarajan
Hariharasudhan Sivarajan
10月08日

Nice poem Paul


As usual awesome

いいね!
devanandpaul
devanandpaul
10月08日
返信先

Thanks so much! I really appreciate your kind words!

いいね!
bottom of page