Since our school days Lothal was often repeatedly mentioed in our history class. Presumbly a port city, it would have been a thriving place with traders, artisians and commoners. My interest in Indus Valley Civilization sites made Lothal a must in my to do list. It is some 100 km from Vadodara. It was a nice Sunday Morning when we decided to start our trip to Lothal. We got ready and left for Lothal at around 10 AM. We were a little late. But it was a good start. Weather was still pleasure. Road was superb. We travelled to Ahmedabad and then took turn to Lothal.

Personally i was super excited for this trip. These sites had always been my dream. To cover them all before i am too old to travel. Your mom was sharing my excitement. At 11:45.. we took tea and snacks break. We started our journey again and at around 12:50 we saw the first signboard mentioning Lothal. As you move on the road to Lothal, you keep wondering did someone roamed on these lands 4000 years before you. What would have been the landscapes then! Dense forest, lushgreen fields, or flodded rivers. How human inhabited these land in most civilized way, did business with thr lands thousands km away and then disappeared without leaving a trace feels like a science fiction movie theme but it happened here, right on this land.

Soon the fence put around the Lothal site by ASI was visible. I was excited like a kid, it was a special day for me. Soom there was a narrow turn for Lothal and you could visualise the ancient people roaming on this land. Soon the oblique put by ASI welcomes you to Lothal-

 

Lothal

for someone looking for adventure and fun, this place is a great disappointment, but someone who wants to explore the ancient roots of this land, and get a feel of journey humanity has taken to reach at the todays level, this place is a bliss. Intricate designs in stone, neatly laid brick roads, all make us rethink about our urban settlements today.

You were not much interested in all this, or may it was too much heat which was making you uncomfortable. We (me and your mom) decided to make send you back in the car and then continue with the exploration.

As you headed to the car with driver and maid, we kept on exploring few interesting places further. Dockyard, burnt-granary, houses, cemetery and discarded shards pottery. We kept on exploring till we completely exhausted and could no longer kept on.

Dockyard of Lothal

then we (you, me and your mom) headed for the Lothal Museum. Photography is not allowed inside the museum, so we don’t have inside pics. But it was also worth the time. After spending half an hour in museum, we were too tired. Although I didn’t want to leave but, all were tired and Also feeling hungry so we left for some decent place to have a meal and then headed for the Vadodara. it was a beautiful trip. For me it was like a long time dream come true. it was all because of your mom that this trip was possible.

I wish someday we again go to this place, when you, me and your mom all explore this place to the fullest.

-with love you Papa and Mom