Bizarre Sunrise Chase at the Gulf of Khambat

A Date with Disappearing Seas @ Gulf of Khambat

So, 'a day trip’ was brewing for a while — ever since we checked Somnath Mahadev, Shri Ranchhodrai Maharaj Dakor, and Mani Laxmi Tirth Manej off our ‘temple run’ list with my parents. So I and my husband decided to experience a sunrise at the Gulf of Khambat or called as Cambay.

We started from Vidiyanagar, Anand (Gujarat) by 4:30AM and reached Khambat by 5:45 AM. There were many mosques spotted on the way. After reaching Khambat, we continued following Google maps that was guiding us through very well so far.

After riding further on our motorbike which we fondly address as 'Garuda', divine bird god in Santana (Hindu) dharma. Following maps, we were passing from broken and damaged roads, actually pathways.  It was a kacchi basti appearing on all way along, that actually scared me as I'm skeptical about such habitants, that to during wee hours (early morning hours).

Luckily only living creatures that were visible were cows and few stray dogs, who barked a few times.  By this time we had come a long way from Khambat city. Sitting as pillion behind my husband, I was wandering that how I was planning to take my parents to this place for site seeing. As the conveyance must not be easy to get to reach this lonely land piece.

Looking in the Google map we suddenly released that according to maps we were riding in the sea! But in reality there were no water body to be seen around but properly constructed roads, definitely for commercial purposes. We were dramatically wondering that how come a big sea is not visible at all!

Riding some farther, we happen to see a water line from far, it must be sea. My husband told me that this might be one of those places in Gujarat where sea goes far back, well, this was a new thing for me to know.

Well, after riding for two long hours by now, and majorly after having to wake up by 3:30 AM, my enthusiasm was just slipping into the back seat as the sight of sea was just not there! I was recalling Indian maps on which I was exploring Gulf of Khambat and places to see around, making itinerary  for the early morning picnic!

Anyways, we rode till the road was over and parked our Garuda. To our right, was a police Chaunki and left was an open air mandir (temple). We saw a shivling and a kalash hanging above it for jal dripping on the lingam. A nandi (cow) was also place in the front of lingam with a tortoise. This reminded me of our Somnath Mahadev visit. In Somnath also, mandir is constructed on the bank of sea only, but here it was gulf.

I was asking myself as, why did I not enquire about this place before planning to come here all the way long from Vidiyanagar. My husband was trying to search out some possible thing to see or visit around so that we could have some good time as we drove for too long after scarifying our sweet morning sleep of a holiday. But all in vain, as nothing was near.

My whole idea of having fun on the beach was jeopardized! Then only we saw two policemen waking up on the terrace of the police chaunki. They washed their face with water and spotted us with wondering eyes as who on the earth are these stupid who have come here to see nothing (as the place was not for tourism or recreation).

I, with hopes not died yet, went forward and asked them, if we can go further, as the way was blocked with barricades. But there was enough space for individual to move. After listening me, they warned us politely that there is sharp depth on the banks, if you move further to the waters you will fall in the sea. They further said you may go but stay away from the banks.

So, with their permission, we parked our Garuda, locked it and went walking to the banks. It was 5AM and the place seemed to belong to us! As there were only two humans on that part of land, ever excited me and who channels my excitement - my husband.

The earth was humid and the weather was pleasant as it was super early morning to visit for a no man’s land - place! It actually gave us happy privacy to be ourselves, chilled out because of morning winds from sea and partly romantic because of nature around with absence of civilization!

The land was grassy with no heavy or big bushes, only grass. It was wet near the banks as waves  keep kissing banks.  The banks were in steps, one to two steps. And ahead of that chocolate milk water flowing with full swing.  It was completely unlike the sea banks, where we steps few steps in and have our feet  wet with water gushing over and over. We fearlessly, have fun even kids too. Sea is so safe to play around. But the sight alone of the gulf is not so romantic. It wasn’t fearful either. But, maybe I had a third kind of feeling!

Just then, sun stared coming up and we witnessed a serene sunrise with just us! And by this I mean no third human! For some time we had our time till the morning sun was soothing. Soon after few minutes sun stared shining bright, giving us some sun kissed shots. As the sun was turning slightly hot, we decided to wrap up our Gulf of Khambat picnic here itself and walked to our Garuda.

On the way back to our stay we realized that this wasn’t a failed trip as it was appearing at first sight. It was an unexpected flavour. Perhaps we should give time to time too so as to have flavors. After coming home and revisiting few write-ups on Gulf of Khambat, I got to know that tides here are tallest as 30 feet! The place is just not recommended for picnics, perhaps a reason why near to nothing is available on net to know about it.