A gorgeous 32-kilometre stretch through the Rann of Kutch, dubbed ‘Road To Heaven’ is no ordinary road. It’s a sensory experience. And it recently caught the eye of industrialist Anand Mahindra, who shared a stirring reflection on X (formerly Twitter). “They call this the ‘road to heaven.’ Looking at that horizon, I can see why,” he wrote. “I haven’t been there yet, but I can already feel the silence.” It is that specific silence—the kind that facilitates an internal journey—that has turned this utility project into a viral pilgrimage.
On both sides, you have the endless expanse of Rann of Kutch, contrasted with the blue of the water touching the asphalt. And you’re in the middle, looking at cowherds in the distance, trudging along their daily
route.
Road To Heaven: From Khavda To Dholavira
Till a few years ago, the distance from Bhuj, the capital of Kutch, to Dholavira, was around 240 km. To reduce this, in 2019, a road connecting Khavda to Dholavira was commissioned, cutting across the Rann. This stretch of 30kms was started in 2024, right in time for the G20 Summit. The road now takes travellers from Khavda to Dholavira, the largest relic of Harappan Civilisation in India and a UNESCO World Heritage Site which offers tourists an insight into this once flourishing city.
The road is part of a 278 km-long national highway from Ghaduli to Santalpur, with a stretch passing through the White Desert. Here, you’ll see the sky reflected in the waters; if you have a drone, there is probably no better place in India to use it. The Rann was once a shallow part of the Arabian Sea, until a geological shift closed off the connection with the sea. Today, during monsoon, the Rann gets filled up with water, creating a white salty land; the rest of the year, it is an endless expanse of salt desert. The road cuts through this landscape, with water on both sides of the single-lane highway. As of right now, you can park your car/bike, get off the gravel and dip your feet in the water.
They call this the ‘road to heaven.’
Looking at that horizon, I can see why.
I haven’t been there yet, but I can already feel the silence.
A reminder that while we are blessed with friends and family to cheer us on, the most important journeys are the ones we take within… pic.twitter.com/PhlZ2o2l0O
— anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) May 3, 2026
While the ecological impact of the road’s construction in such a pristine landscape is questionable, there is no doubt that it’ll encourage more travellers to head to Dholavira. As one user commented, “Very true sir the most important journeys are the ones we take within.We come across lots of destinations where we feel “पृथ्वी वर कुठे स्वर्ग कुठे असेल तर इथेच”It’s the moment,the surroundings our mood and our loved ones, it’s summation of all & स्वर्ग can’t be felt in isolation.”
Beautifully said, Anand Mahindra ji,
Some journeys truly happen within. My recent trip with family by #Mahindra #XUV300🥰 #SundayWanderer pic.twitter.com/QD9n1aQQmt— Mihir Shah (@Mihir_p_Shah) May 5, 2026
Another added, “Will go on my Gurkha soon have memories of traveling on this path on Tata Nexon.”
More users shared their own experience of driving down the road. “We drove on it before it was famous & access was controlled by Military. We were returning from Dholavira to Bhuj & the local guide suggested it. It was a mesmerizing journey & gave us goosebumps. It was truly a road to heaven as It did not even exist on google maps…😅,” wrote another user. And one more commentator opined, “The road is definitely ‘Heaven,’ sir, but the real question is: Is it even a journey to heaven if you aren’t doing it in a Thar? #MahindraLife””


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