The words “thar” and “parkar” together make up the phrase “tharparkar.”The word “thar” is derived from the words “thul,” which denotes sand ridges, and “parker,” which means “crossing over.” As a result, “Tharparkar” refers to crossing sand.

Geographical Location

The districts of Tharparkar, Umerkot, and Mirpurkhas are home to the Thar Desert. Traveling to Tharparkar from the geographic center of Karachi takes six to eight hours.

The Great Indian Desert also referred to as the Thar Desert, is situated in the northwest of the Indian subcontinent. It mostly resides in the Indian states of Rajasthan and Gujarat and covers an area of about 200,000 square kilometers. Additionally, the desert borders southeast Pakistan.

Weather

It is known for its arid and extreme climatic conditions. Here are some characteristics of the weather in the Thar Desert:

Hot Summers: Summers in the Thar Desert are extremely hot, with regular highs of above 40 degrees Celsius. The severe weather of the desert gets worse by the intense heat and lack of vegetation.

Cold Winters: The Thar Desert’s winters can get rather chilly. Temperatures can drop dramatically at night, and brisk winds can make it feel even colder.

Limited Rainfall: Due to its unusually low rainfall, the Thar Desert is considered to be a desert. The average yearly rainfall is under 250 millimeters. During the monsoon season, which lasts from July through September, the majority of the rain falls. The rest of the year is mostly dry and arid in the desert region.

Sandstorms: Sandstorms frequently occur in the Thar Desert, especially in the summer. Dust storms, which may be fairly violent and decrease visibility, are caused when strong winds carry sand particles into the air. Sandstorms are more frequent in the afternoon and might be difficult to travel through.

Wild Life

While the Thar Desert may seem harsh and inhospitable, it is home to a surprising array of wildlife that has adapted to the challenging conditions. Here are some notable examples of wildlife found in the Thar Desert:

• Indian Gazelle
• Desert Fox
• Indian Wild Ass
• Desert Cat
• Desert Monitor Lizard
• Indian Pangolin
• Spiny-tailed Lizard
• Great Indian Bustard

The Thar Desert is home to a wide variety of creatures, of which these are just a few examples. Numerous bird species, reptiles, insects, and plant life that have adapted to live in the desert’s harsh environment can also be found there.

Source of income

Thari people have diverse sources of income that help them sustain their livelihoods. Here are some significant sources of income for the Thar Desert people:

• Agriculture
• Animal Husbandry
• Handicrafts and Artisanal Work
• Tourism
• Trading and Small Businesses
• Government Jobs
• Migration and Remittances

It’s significant to note that numerous communities, including Rajputs, Meghwals, Bishnois, Jats, and others, reside in the Thar Desert. Each community may have particular jobs and sources of revenue that are unique to their cultural customs and practices.

Culture

The Thar Desert is famous for its distinct culture and friendliness. The residents are exceedingly warm and inviting, and their culture is rich in tradition and history. Numerous holidays are observed throughout the year, and the majority of them are related to Hinduism and agricultural seasons.

 

The camel events during the Desert Festival serve as confirmation that camels are an essential component of desert life. For entry into the spectacular competition for the best-dressed camel, more attention is put into clothing the animal.

The biggest dance and music performances take place in the evenings. Each night, the audience grows larger and endures till late at night. On the full moon night, the grand finale is held among glimmering sand dunes.

Things to remember

You should be ready for the Thar Desert’s desolate and sparsely populated nature before traveling there. You should also make sure that you have plenty of water with you because there aren’t many water sources nearby and there can be a big fluctuation in temperature between day and night. Additionally, the area gets very little rainfall.

If you are a nature lover you must visit Arang Kel Kashmir.