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The area of Little Rann of Kutch is being considered to be declared as one of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites.
Internationally, the area is recognized for its natural and geomorphological value and has high biodiversity conservation significance.
The main sources of salt in India are :
Sea Brine, Lake Brine, Inland (Sub-Soil) Brine and Rock Salt Deposits
Here, the sub-soil brine (salty ground water) is pumped out by the diesel/solar power pumps and then the salt is manufactured by using the age-old solar evaporation method.
Gujarat produces over 70% of the salt produced in India and The LRoK produces about 30% of the salt produced in Gujarat.
The LRoK is well-known as the remaining habitat of the endangered Indian Wild Ass (Equus hemionus khur), a magnificent member of the horse family. Easily spotted in big groups in the vast span of desert throughout the year, this population of wild ass is the only gene pool of Indian Wild Ass in the entire world and one of the six geographical varieties or sub-species surviving on the earth.
Nearly 30 mammal species are found here which also includes Blue Bull, Desert Fox, Indian Grey Wolf, Desert Cat, Indian Hare, Wild Boar and Striped Hyena.
The Little Rann sanctuary is declared an Important Bird Area (IBA) by BirdLife International as the sanctuary provides an important feeding, breeding and roosting habitat for a large number of birds due to its strategic location on bird migration route and its connection with the Gulf of Kutch.
Over 300 species of birds have been recorded in and around The LRoK. The birdwatchers have seen more than 50 species of birds in a single day.
The wetlands in and around Jhinjhuvada are a paradise for wetland birds.
There are many Science Wonders which can be experienced at this unique landscape.
Clear Sky Gazing
The LRoK is the best place in the night for Sky Gazers as there are no artificial lights for miles and miles. If you go out on a dark moonless night, You will see the Milky Way, stretching its jagged course across the heavens, is quite a sight to behold.
Tropic of Cancer (ToC)
The Tropic of Cancer (Karkvrut), also referred to as the Northern Tropic, is the circle of latitude on the Earth that marks the most northerly position at which the Sun may appear directly overhead at its zenith. ToC passes through the middle of The LRoK.
Mirage
Mirage (Mrig Jal) is not an illusion, it’s a real optical phenomenon of atmospheric optics, caused by strong ray-bending in layers with steep thermal gradients.
When you see it from a distance, the different air masses colliding with each other act like a mirror. The desert ahead seems to have become a lake but it is actually a reflection of the sky above.
Grand Gates
The heritage village has four Grand Gates in four cardinal directions : Nagvada Gate in the East, Madapol in the West, Dhama Gate in the North and Rakshashpol in the South.
The Grand Gates of Jhinjhuvada belong to the pre-islamic era and are the best Hindu Gates standing on the Indian sub-continent.
Stepwells
Jhinjhuvada has several stepwells, out of which one, namely, Samar stepwell (vav) is still in-use. Perhaps, the only in-use stepwell in the Indian sub-continent.
Reservoirs
Jhinjhuvada has many reservoirs, out of which one, namely, Sinhsar is built by using sand stones with side walls that have images of the ten incarnations (dashavatara) of God Vishnu and symbolic representations of the nine planets (navagraha) as deities.
Ancient Port
The Little Rann of Kutch was still navigable during the Solanki period and the port of Jhinjhuvada had trade relations with gulf countries and east africa. The goods traded included Arabian Horses among other things.
Birth of an Emperor
According to a folklore, The Greatest Emperor of Gujarat, Gurjar Samrat Siddhraj Jaysinh Solanki was born in Jhinjhuvada in the 11th century by the blessings of a Siddh-Purush (an enlightened man) from a nearby place.
Making of a Sage
Around 1634 AD, a prince of Jhinjhuvada, namely, Kunvar Samantsinhji Jhala hunted a deer near the ashram of Yogiji Yadavdasji Maharaj. When Yogiji saw this, he became compassionate and sprinkled holy water on the dead deer and it sprang back to life.
Upon seeing this, the prince became disciple of Yadavdasji Maharaj and became a sadhu (sage). Thereafter, he established his ashram at Dudhrej near Surendranagar and is since then revered as Pujya Vadwala Bapu (Shathpragna Swamiji Maharaj a.k.a. Shathaa Bapu).
Language
As the area falls at the junction of North Gujarat, Kutch & Saurashtra regions, the language of Jhinjhuvada has a mix of dialects from all the above three regions.
Traditions
Festive events like Navaratri, Dussehra, Diwali, Gujarati New Year, Holi, Gaadi Sthapna Divas, Janmashtami, Fairs etc. are still being celebrated with its original pomp and show.
Naleshwar Mahadev Temple (5 km)
It is a very ancient (pre-solanki era) temple of God Shiva and was built by the mythical King Nal Raja. It is associated with the meeting of Nal and Damayanti. A fair is held on Maha Shivratri every year.
Vachhada Dada Temple (23 km in the LRoK)
An young prince of Kalri was martyred while saving cows of the villagers from the looters. This prince, born in 1061 AD, was Veer Vachchharaj Solanki, locally called as Vachhada Dada. A temple was built on that spot in his honour. A fair is held on the first 15 days of Hindu calendar month of chaitra every year.
Shakti Mataji Temple (5 km)
Kulmata of Jhala Rajputs and Kuldevi of the people of Jhalavad, Goddess Shaktidevi took samadhi here in 1105 AD. She is an embodiment of Faith-Devotion and Motherhood. A fair is held on 28th day (vad teras) of Hindu calendar month of chaitra ever year.
Rajeshwari Mataji Temple (S-W corner of the Fort)
In the year 1408 AD, Sumra Muslims had slaughtered the sacred cow near the temple. Upon this Goddess Rajeshwari Mataji was angered, She asked Raj Shri Vanvirsinhji Jhala of Patdi in a dream to attack Jhinjhuvada and hence he founded the chovisi of Jhinjhuvada with the blessings of the Goddess.
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