Ruchi Acharya
Dear State of Gujarat,
તમે કેમ છો?
It didn’t even cross my mind that Gujarat could be my ultimate soul-caressing state after drowning in city chaos. Like any uptown girl worth her stilettos, I had this sassy little notion—what’s the point of a place if it doesn’t have wine shops or non-veg platters on your fingertips? But little did I know how much the metro’s hustle and bustle was consuming my soul, and I needed this solo trip to Gujarat.
The land of bird paradise and enduring sunsets was my ultimate valentine at Lakhota Lake—also known as Talaw Ni Paar in the local language—located in the heart of a small town called Jamnagar. I couldn’t have asked for a better starting point to reset my polluted mind. The experience of melting into the quietude of a serene birdwatcher’s eden was surreal. The shimmering lake is home to numerous winged creatures, making your heart skip a beat! The wavy Ghagra floats into the freshly cut summer garden filled with Marigolds of yellow and orange hues, with resting places such as pavilions and bastions surrounding the lake.
I’ve traveled to more than a dozen countries and uncountable cities, and let me tell you this—the sunset here is the ultimatum. Gujarat’s sunset comes to you as a settled heart to the horizon. The sands of time pass slowly here as your divine core comes to steady resonance with the good universal energy. You can practically feel the buzz of chirping birds blending with sultry summer vibes, served up with a side of Lakhota Fort’s majestic silhouette right in the middle of Talaw Ni Paar’s big island.
Ah, those days when I practically lived in hotels, hustling away in pin-drop silence and making black-coffee runs. There’s something magical about small coffee shops—they make even the tiniest victories feel grand, especially when you’re sipping coffee from kulhar cups, the petrichor of earthenware weaving into your senses like a warm, earthy hug.
Blessed by the Kuldevi matas, I found myself at the dinner table of the kindest Gujju family, where nostalgia hit me like a warm hug. As I dug into the feast, memories flooded back—those good old days when life was simple, and we clung to our parents like little shadows. Funny how adulthood slowly drags that closeness away, huh?
The small katories filled with vivid multi-cuisines will knock you off your chair with their finger-licking taste. The whiff of aromatic Gujarati cuisine will make you feel like you’re ten again. I was lucky to be blessed by a mother figure and offered delectable Pooris and delicate Dhoklas. Every bite was lip-smacking indeed.
As the evening grew, the discussion at the dinner table grew stronger as well. I got to know that the Gujarati community is like a secret society of millionaires in disguise—you’ll spot shopkeepers lounging in Hawaiian chappals and comfy pyjamas, looking as unassuming as ever while quietly running empires from their storefronts! On the other hand, a large animal rescue center called Vantara has been opened up as a new initiative by Reliance Industries in the area—a must-visit place.
The best time to visit Gujarat is during the winter months from November to February, when your body is not being baked under the hot sun and the weather is cool and pleasant. I was also presented with a return gift—a drawing of me and my future husband along with a baby girl by my side by the youngest member of the family, which I cherish to date.
I was advised to take a road trip to cover two nearby areas: firstly, Junagadh’s Darbar Hall Museum, which was highly recommended to me by a government official I met at Lakhota Fort Museum. Post that, a safari at the Gir National Park to see the Asiatic lions in their wilderness. I hit the jackpot indeed. Within a couple of days, I hit the road with broken Gujarati and Khakhra at my disposal. Beware to stay hydrated by gulping coconut water—you can’t trust the sun, as the hot flashes can give you heatstroke anytime.
Nature makes art in more hues than our brain and heart can hold. The countryside beckoned. The Windmills at Samana I Wind Farm were breathtaking and gave me utopian vibes. The giant fans perfectly fit the picturesque scenery, with cotton fields laid down as a white sheet forefront.
There was a hiccup when I derailed from the highway HN 927D and ended up on katcha roads (unpaved roads) of Gujarat—and by Katcha, there’s no way I’m referring to the Rann of Kutch. My favorite moment was relieving myself in the middle of a sunflower field with a gigantic windmill above. I can’t even express in words—the surreal experience.
In a minute, just like a movie, my car was surrounded by a herd of cattle. They say if you can drive on Indian roads, you can drive anywhere in the world. I can vouch for that. Neither words nor photographs can capture what I experienced.
Walking further into my Gujarat adventure, I arrived at Junagadh, another landmark at the foot ofGirnar Hills. Uparkot Fort, perched like a royal sentinel since 300 BC, doesn’t just stand—it reigns over the city with jaw-dropping views from its mighty ramparts. Inside, it’s like stepping into a time capsule where stone-cut stepwells (Adi Kadi Vav and Navghan Kuwo) whisper ancient secrets, and Buddhist caves sit in meditative silence.
At a local diner, I discovered Gujarat is a dry state, and by the word “dry”, I am not talking about the climate. Beef is forbidden here. So, don’t you dare to wipe that Gujarati smile by asking about red meat hub-spots.
After a night of glorious bedrest that resurrected my fossilized bones back to life, I was officially road-ready for my next adventure—Gir National Park. If my bones were any more thrilled, they’d be doing a little jig! I was wild spirited this morning unknowing what Gir has in store for me. I kicked off my solo jungle safari with a trusty duo—a tour guide and a driver—my personal wild adventure squad! Bouncing around in the safari jeep like a human popcorn, the hot fume winds slapped my face with all the grace of a sunburned cactus. But did I care? Absolutely not. Because Gir was working its magic—wild, rugged, and unapologetically untamed.
My tour guide begins, “On the map today? The one and only Gir National Park—the kingdom of the Asiatic lion and the only place on Earth where these majestic beasts still roam free. Sprawling over 1,412 square kilometers. We’ve entered into their home so henceforth, we have to be respectful and keep this place clean without leaving any human trash behind. You’l see Gir is a wild wonderland—a crazy mix of dry deciduous forests, scrub jungles, grassy patches, and rocky hills. It’s not just the lions strutting their stuff here—expect to run into leopards, sambar deer, chital, wild boar, striped hyenas, and a feathered army of over 300 bird species.”
And then—there he was. The king of the jungle, lounging like he owned the place. One look at that majestic mane and those heavy paws hitting the ground as he ponders in the hot afternoon made my heart did a somersault. It was like the universe hit pause—just me and the lion, locked in a silent, primal understanding.
Letting my inner child roam free, I decided to soak it all in while sipping coffee at the food court of Devalia Safari Park nearby. Despite the loud chatter and curious stares around me, I remained equanimous, calmly holding my coffee cup with unwavering composure. My journal—my trusty travel companion—was right there with me, ready to catch any soul-touching moment. I couldn’t help but jot down a few verses:
“You’re a natural player in this world,
Where music flows through every frequency,
Waiting for you to sync in and rise—
Above the weight of detrimental values.
Speak up for your heart cannot speak,
Hold on to beliefs and run to set you free.”
Somnath Temple sprang into my head, just like my tour guide suggested—couldn’t leave without wishing upon some ancient energy! A quick map check, a glance at the clock, and voila—it’s totally doable!
A few minutes later.
Standing in queue with a basket full of flowers at the majestic temple, the sea breeze tangled with incense, and I felt centuries of whispered prayers around me.
The temple’s golden spire gleamed under the sun, soaking up every bit of cosmic energy, while waves crashed rhythmically against the temple’s base—like nature itself was bowing in devotion. As I walked through the grand halls with tall pillars on both sides, goosebumps prickled my skin. The air was thick with stories, as if the ancient walls had absorbed centuries of devotion.
Watching the evening aarti with hundreds of Hindus chanting in unison was an otherworldly experience. It was less of a prayer and more of a soul-stirring symphony. Somnath didn’t just steal my heart—it practically etched itself into my spirit.
Overall, the trip to Gujarat was the missing piece of the puzzle that my soul didn’t know it needed. It’s a state that doesn’t just welcome you—it transforms you. The memories I collected will forever be etched in the story of my life.
Ruchi Acharya is the Founder & CEO of Wingless Dreamer Publisher, a global literary platform. An Oxford graduate in English Literature, she will have her poetry book, Off the Cliff, available on Amazon in Nov 2026. Featured in 150 journals like Borderless Journal and The Washington Review, she champions literature and culture. Based in Mumbai, she explores history and nurtures writers.
Website: www.ruchiacharya.com
IG: @single_independent_lady
Reading this piece was an adventure on its own. Beautifully articulated!