See Giant Dinosaur Eggs at India’s First Dinosaur Museum in Gujarat
India gets its very own Dinosaur Museum and Informatics Centre in Raiyoli, Gujarat. Inaugurated by Gujarat chief minister Vijay Rupani on June 8, 2019, in Balasinor town of Mahisagar district, the Informatics Centre and museum add yet another feather in the cap of Gujarat Tourism.
In 1980s in the quaint village of Raiyoli near Balasinor, scientists from the Geological Survey of India (GSI) accidentally discovered the fossil remains of bones and eggs of dinosaurs while surveying the area for mineral deposits. Since then rigorous excavations have uncovered at least 13 species of dinosaurs that thrived in this region some 65 million years ago. Fossilised remains of Rajasaurus Narmandensis belonging to the carnivore family of Tyrannosaurus Rex, has been uncovered. The animal’s crested horn lent to his nomenclature of ‘Raja’. Narmandensis is derived from the proximity of the site to Narmada river. Visitors here can enjoy a life-sized statue of the majestic creature.
What makes the site more interesting is the discovery of a 3.5m long fossilized skeleton of a snake which fed on the eggs of Sauropods—large herbivorous dinosaur with long necks, tails and small heads. This sheds some light on the feeding behaviour of snakes in the dinosaur era. The snake remains has been put on display.
The park is also a storehouse of 65 million years old dinosaur eggs whose sizes differ wildly. 40 statues in the park educate visitors on the size, shape, habits and habitats of the dinosaurs. The museum is spread over an area of 25,000 square feet with 10 galleries equipped with a dedicated movie area where 3-D films are featured. It also houses an interactive space just for kids. Among others, the Informatics Centre is endowed with a Time Machine, 5-D Theatre and souvenir shops.
Travel to this place and let me know your awe-inspiring or not so awe-inspiring moments by commenting below!
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Tania Banerjee
Tania is a freelance writer based in India who tinkers with words here and there but mostly focused on travel, food, arts and crafts. She writes for several Indian dailies and magazines.
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