India's Very Own Jurassic Park Should Be On Everyone's Bucket List

In Gandhinagar, the capital of the western Indian state of Gujarat lies the Indroda Dinosaur and Fossil Park. This park is home to the one of the world’s largest dinosaur fossil remains dating back some 66 million years. Here’s everything you need to know about India’s Jurassic Park, a treasure trove of dinosaur remains.

Established by the Geological Survey of India and managed by the Gujarat Ecological and Research Foundation (GEER), the Indroda Dinosaur and Fossil Park is home to the fossilised dinosaur remains found in Raiyoli, a tiny village in the Balasinor town of Gujarat, which is in fact, the world’s second largest hatchery and third largest dinosaur excavation site.

Dinosaur Model at Indroda Dinosaur and Fossil Park

Stretching 428 hectares (1057.6 acres), this park has dinosaur fossils from the Cretaceous era, which ended almost 66 million years ago. The park has three major sections – Dinosaur and Fossil Section, the Zoo and the Botanical Garden. However, there are other sections too, visitors can see and find out more about avifauna, Planet Earth, mammals, plants, reptiles and marine life

Dinosaur and Fossil section

Life-size dinosaur model at Indroda Park

Some of the eggs on display come from the village of Raiyoli, which is approx 113 kilometres (70.2 miles) from the park. Raiyoli was the site where the fossilized dinosaur eggs and other remains came to palaeontologists’ attention in early 1980s, while they were conducting a routine mineral survey of the area. The geologists have excavated the area and discovered around 10,000 dinosaur eggs, belonging to thirteen different species of dinosaurs, thus making the Raiyoli excavation site the second largest dinosaur hatchery in the world. The Geological Survey of India brought some of the finds from this site to the Indodra Dinosaur and Fossil Park for the visitors to marvel at these fascinating species.

The richest find at the village of Rayoli was Rajasaurus Narmadensis (princely lizard from the Narmada Valley), a dinosaur unique to India. It is a 30-foot (9.1 meter) long carnivore with a crested horn and heavy body, and is said to be over 65 million years old. Today, the site holds a six meter tall replica of Rajasaurus Narmadensis, made of mud, cement and metal, with a brass exterior. Tourists come from all over to see the statue. Remnants of non-dinosaurs were also found at the site in the form of a fossilised snake called Sanajeh.

Zoo

Home to a wide range of animal and bird species. Nearly 180 species of birds can be found at the park. Visitors can catch a glimpse of mammals like the four-horned antelope, leopard, sambar, blackbuck and jackal. There is also a section dedicated to different species of snakes and another for sea mammals featuring juvenile and adult blue whale skeletons. It’s a perfect spot for bird lovers and wildlife enthusiasts.

Botanical Garden

With over 300 species of trees from different agro-climatic regions of Gujarat, 250 medicinal herbs, 200 cacti species and a green house, this tranquil botanical garden within the park is a great place for you to reconnect with nature.

How to get there

The nearest airport is the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, which is approx. 17 kilometres (10.5 miles) away from the Indroda Dinosaur and Fossil Park. The nearest railway station is the Ahmedabad Railway Station, which is approx. 23 kilometres (14.2 miles) from the park. From the airport/railway station, visitors can take a cab/taxi the rest of the way.

The best time to visit the park is from October until March and it is open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 8 am until 6pm.

Entry fee: Free for children under five; INR 20 for Adults

Indroda Dinosaur and Fossil Park, Nature Park Walk, Indroda, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India. +91 079 2397 7313

The village of Raiyoli is approx 97 kilometres (60.2 miles) west of Ahmedabad and can be reached by road. There is a homestay option in Raiyoli – the Garden Palace Heritage Homestay. Tours of the Raiyoli site are available on request by Aaliya Sultana Babi, who is also called as the ‘Dinosaur Princess’.

Garden Palace Heritage Homestay, Palace road, Mahisagar, Balasinor, Gujarat, India. +91 073591 46071

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.