I stood by the Guda Bishnoi Lake completely charmed. As far as eyes could see it was full of Demoiselle Cranes, only at that point people told me they were Siberian Cranes. I had my doubts but a lake full of cranes by any name is a delightful thing!
Guda Bishnoi is about 25 kilometers from Jodhpur. It is as of now not so frequented by tourists. That also means you have to find a transport of your own to reach there. When I was visited, we were about 20 people by the lakeside, out of which many were locals!
Guda Bishnoi has a fascinating history. Bishnoi Sect was started by Guru Jambheshwar. He was born in 1451. His gave 29 principles but his main teaching was to protect the wildlife and trees, which Bishnois practice ardently even today. It is said that the guru was reincarnated as a black buck, hence the reverence of the animal within the community.
Bishnois are also known for the Khejarli Massacre which took place in 1730. 363 Bishnois died while trying to protect the trees which the King’s troops had orders to chop off! Even to this date Bishnois bury their dead as cutting trees is completely banned! To know more about the fascinating story of the Bishnois, do watch the two part documentary made by B.V.P. Rao.
Back in the present there is an elevated platform near the lake from where tourists can watch the birds. There are two rooms as well but my driver for the day, Gyan Singh ji told me they were with the forest department. I turned my back to the world and got engrossed in watching the birds.
Various parts of the lake were claimed by different different flocks as their own. However, it was not a rigid division. The birds happily kept visiting each-other. Demoiselle Cranes would rise like clouds and go settle at another bank! They loudly cawed all the time and yet it was pleasant to the ears!
Gyan Singh ji got me a pair of binoculars to see the black bucks drinking water at the far side of the lake! From the binoculars I switched to the telephoto lens but the binoculars were more powerful!
After being engrossed for a long time with my camera I turned back to see Gyan Singh ji grinning at me. He probably didn’t anticipate my happiness at seeing the birds. I asked him if it was possible to have our lunch there? The hotel kindly had given us packed lunches. Gyan Singh ji and I enjoyed our kathi rolls, fruits and juice under a tree in the compound.
I went back to stand by the lake after lunch. The birds now decided to walk in a line along the closest bank of the lake! I am sure the antics would go on but for me it was time to back to the hotel as I wanted to go to the Mehrangarh Fort in the evening.
On a more practical note there is a washroom for ladies in the premises but when I used it there was no water to flush. The wash basin outside had water. What to do, practical notes are almost always jarring!
But then for a nature lover Guda Bishnoi Lake is a birder’s paradise. It is also in the ‘not so discovered’ category as of now.
This is one fascinating place.. never seen so many of Demoiselle cranes together in one place
Me too Prasad, I hope I will go back one day!
Stunning photographs !! Awesome….
Cheers
Thank you Shrikant.
Wow, so many Demoiselle cranes. Great captures. Honestly, I have never heard of this place Guda Bishnoi too.
I too heard of it from Anil sir’s blog. He went there a few years back! 😀
Wow! The Demoiselle cranes look wonderful together.
Beautifully captured 🙂
Thank you Purba.
So many of them. Nice pics.
Thank you Arun.
Seems so much like Khichaan.
I love to see such places.
Read of Khichaan but let us see when I go there.
The pictures are stunning and so are the cranes 🙂
Thank you Archana.
Whoa! So many cranes together!
Bishnois seem to be quite interesting.
Yes Arun, the Bishnoi philosophy impressed me too!
Have been to many Bird sanctuaries but never saw so many cranes together.
A first for me too Mahesh for Cranes but I have seen a cloud of Black tailed Godwits at Mangala Jodi!
Lovely pictures, Mridula! The cranes look magnificent..
We need more communities like the Bishnois..I salute them!
I agree Amit, watching the videos left in awe of the Bishnoi community.
Beautiful! Such gorgeous birds! Particularly the last picture. Love the Bishnoi tribe philosophy.
Thank you Chaitali. I am also in awe of the Bishnoi philosophy!
How magnificent they look and must be thrilling for bird watchers.
Yes Chatali thy kept me enthralled for many hours!
Very delight sight. Great captures, Mridula 🙂
Thank you so much Ravish!
Amazing, Beautiful photos.
Thank you so much Rupam.
wow……..what a place
Thank you Harshita!
Lovely pics…missed this on my visit to Jodhpur. Must do this the next time on
Yes Ami, Guda Bishnoi is a beautiful place! You will like it.
Thank’s Mridula for sharing your amazing pics and journey with us. This is high time actually when one can see these migratory birds in Rajasthan. As a local to Alwar city, I want to tell you that Alwar is also witnessing some rare migratory bird species in Sariska National Park and in Siliserh Lake. When World Wetlands Day Celebrated in Alwar as Alwar Bird Fair 2016 at Siliserh Lake, people and birds specialists saw some rare migratory birds species in Alwar. And for the first time in alwar, European Griffon Vulture was also seen in Sariska Tiger Reserve & National Park, reported by park authority.
We have visited Sariska numerous times, it is our favorite weekend getaway! 😀
I came to know of this unique place where animal and human coexist in such a harmony. Would love to visit there sometime. Extraordinary pictures.
I am sure you will like it a lot when you go! And thank you for your kind words about my pictures!