Balasinor in Gujarat is home to the one of the largest dinosaur fossils sites in the world.
There's a fossilized dinosaur nesting ground and a prehistoric burial ground.
Paleontologists believe that at least seven species of dinosaur lived here and researchers have uncovered fossils of about 10,000 dinosaur eggs, making Raiyoli the third largest hatchery in the world.
In 2003 they also discovered a new species here, which belonged to the Tyrannosaurus Rex family. It was given the name Rajasaurus narmandensis, meaning princely reptile from the Narmada.
Aaliya Sultana Babi, the former princess of Balasinor, is an enthusiastic promoter and protector of the dinosaur legacy. Known as the Dinosaur Princess, she conducts tours to the site.
Sultana Babi is the only English-speaking guide around and has an expert's knowledge of all the fossils.
At the site you can see part of a limb embedded in a rock, supposed fossilized remains of skin and other bones, fossilized egg rings and even a real dinosaur egg fossil.
It is the only site in the world where tourists can actually touch the dinosaur remains, and hold a 65 million year old egg fossil in their hands.
Unfortunately, the state of Gujarat has not shown much interest in developing the site as a mega tourist attraction.
It has taken five years to build a museum next to the site, which has still not been completed.
The fossils were discovered two decades ago, yet they have not received due importance from state officials and most Indians do not even know of the existence of the site.
Where to stay
Balasinor is about one and a half hours drive from Ahmedabad.
While visiting, tourists can stay in the Garden Palace, a heritage hotel property run by the former rulers of Balasinor, the Babi family. In fact this is their royal family home.
The palace has eight rooms, each one done up in a different color scheme, furniture and decor.
If you feel like roughing it out, you can even stay in Camp Dinosaur tents.
Garden Palace, Palace Road, Balasinor, district Kheda, Gujarat. Garden Palace website; Rs 6,000-8,000 per room, per night
Camp Dinosaur tents, Palace road, Garden Palace compound, Balasinor, district Kheda, Gujarat; Rs 7,000-8,000 per night; Camp Dinosaur website or email web@campsofindia.com