Imagine a ribbon of black silk draped across an endless sea of white. As you turn onto the Khavda-Dholavira Highway, famously known as the Road to Heaven in Kutch, the world dissolves into a surreal horizon where the salt crust meets the sky. This 30 km engineering marvel slices through the Great Rann of Kutch, offering a complete panorama of shimmering brine and turquoise waters. The Dholavira Road to Heaven isn't just a route, but a portal! So, whether you are chasing the golden hour or driving toward the ancient whispers of the Harappan civilization, this is where the journey truly becomes the destination.
Why is the Khavda-Dholavira Highway called the Road to Heaven?
The name Road to Heaven Dholavira isn't just marketing, but a visceral reaction to the landscape. As you drive, the land on either side vanishes into a blinding, ethereal white that reflects the sky so perfectly that you begin to feel as if you are floating through the clouds. With no buildings, trees, or power lines to break the gaze, the horizon blurs until the earth and heaven become one. It is a rare, meditative stretch of nothingness that feels less like a highway and more like a celestial bridge that leads you away from the noise of the world, and towards the infinite.
What makes the Road to Heaven Dholavira Highway iconic?
The Dholavira Road to Heaven is iconic because there are very few places on Earth where modern engineering, ancient history, and surreal nature collide in a single 30 kn stretch.
The floating illusion- Unlike standard desert roads, the Road to Heaven Dholavira Highway is built on a raised causeway that slices directly though the Great Rann of Kutch. During the post-monsoon or winter months, seasonal waters surround the road, creating a mirror effect that makes it look like a thin black ribbon floating between the sky and the salt.
A shortcut through time- Before this road opened in 2023, reaching the Harappan ruins of Dholavira from Bhuj was a tedious 240 km detour. This highway slashed that distance by nearly 100 km, turning the difficult trek into a scenic pilgrimage to one of the world’s oldest urban civilizations.
The flamingo phenomenon- The Road to Heaven in Kutch serves as a front row seat to the Flamingo City. During the winter months, the wetlands flanking the road become a pink-hued sanctuary for thousands of migratory Greater Flamingoes, offering a wildlife spectacle that is rarely seen from a national highway.
Practical travel guide to plan your pilgrimage
1. Best time to visit
Timing is everything when it comes to visiting the Dholavira Road to Heaven. To see the landscapes at their most celestial, here’s when you can plan your trip.
Winter (November to February)- This is the gold standard for Kutch. The scorching heat retreats, which gets replaced by crisp air and clear blue skies. It is during these months that the water recedes, leaving behind a thick and blindingly white crust of salt that creates the iconic heavenly reflection. This time also collides with the Rann Utsav, giving you a chance to experience the Kutch culture at its peak.
The golden hours- Regardless of the month, aim to be on the road during sunrise or sunset. The salt acts as a giant mirror, reflecting the pink, orange, and violet hues of the sky, turning your drive into a moving painting.
Monsoon (July to September)- A hidden gem season. While you won't see the dry white salt, the Rann fills with water, making the road look like a bridge across the ocean.
2. How to reach
The Road to Heaven is a 30 km stretch of the Khavda-Dholavira Highway. Here’s how you can get there-
By air- The nearest airport is Bhuj (BHU), which is about 130 km from the start of the road. You can catch a flight from Mumbai or Ahmedabad and then hire a private taxi.
By rail- The Bhuj Railway Station is well connected to major Indian cities. From the station, most travellers rent a self drive car or hire a local cab for the 4-hour journey to Dholavira.
Drive from Bhuj- This route takes you from Bhuj to Khavda. Thereafter, from Khavda, the landscape begins to open up, and you enter the official Road to Heaven stretch leading directly to the island of Khadir Bet, where Dholavira is located.
Beyond the road- Sites to see
Beyond the road itself, the destination, which is the island of Khadir Bet, is a treasure trove of history and geology. Here are some must visit places to see in Kutch as a part of your journey.
1. Dholavira
A UNESCO World Heritage Site and the famous Harappan metropolis, visiting Dholavira feels like stepping into one of the world’s first smart cities. A city portraying a masterclass in ancient urban planning that dates back over 4500 years, you can wander through the world’s oldest stadium while here. Touch the remnants of a sophisticated water harvesting system, and see the famous Signboard, which is an assembly of ten large stone symbols that remain one of history’s most tantalising unsolved mysteries.
2. The Dholavira Wood Fossil Park
Located at a short drive from the ruins, the Dholavira Wood Fossil Park takes you back not centuries, but millions of years. Here, you will find the petrified tree trunks from the Jurassic period. These are not just rocks, but ancient giants turned to stone, standing as a stark reminder that this arid salad desert was once a lush, tropical forest. This place to see in Kutch is a hauntingly beautiful spot for reflection.
3. Chippar Point
If you want to feel like you are standing at the edge of the world, this is the place to be! Located on a cliff-like overhand, Chippar Point offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the Rann. The ground below looks like a crystal floor made of pure salt. It is a popular spot for a tractor ride across the slushy desert terrain, which is a bumpy, authentic, and high energy adventure for those seeking a thrill.
4. Sunset point
This makes for the ultimate finale to your Kutch road trip. As the sun dips, the white salt acts as a canvas, catching every shade of violet, crimson, and gold. The blue hour here is particularly magical, when the horizon disappears entirely, leaving you standing in a glowing, indigo void.