A VISIT TO KHICHAN, RAJASTHAN
Khichan is a small village located in the district of Jodhpur, Rajasthan. Being a village in the arid landscape, it does not host the majestic sand dunes nor does it have any imperial ruins. All the village has are a few ‘feeding grounds’ and a whole lot of very dedicated folks! Feeding grounds for birds. Every morning from the end of November to March, the people of K hichan are woken up by the ‘ krok-krok ’ calls of the demoiselle cranes. The Demoiselle crane is a winter migrant to India. They migrate from the colder countries of Mongolia and Russia during their winters to enjoy the complacent winters of ours. In no time, the silent morning wanes off and all you can see are thousands of chirping birds in the sky. But why only this village? Furthermore, why, in the feeding grounds situated right in the centre of the village, do the birds come and eat? The answer is expressed by any villager proudly. It’s all because of them. The people of K h...