Rotary Saurashtra Car Rally
🚗 Pune → Saurashtra → Pune
17 Feb – 24 Feb
Roads Travelled… Relationships Strengthened… Reflections Deepened.
Some journeys are driven by engines.
Some journeys are driven by purpose.
From 17 February to 24 February, we Rotarians from Pune embarked on the Rotary Saurashtra Car Rally. What began as a travel plan slowly unfolded into a spiritual, cultural, natural, and cooperative learning experience.
This is not just a travel summary.
This is a journey of insights.
📍 17 Feb – Pune to Bharuch
🏨 Hotel Regenta Orchid
The first ignition always carries excitement. Cars aligned, flags waving, conversations flowing — and the rally began.
There is something special about the first day.
Not because of the distance covered —
but because of the mindset shift.
We leave routine behind and enter journey mode.
🎥 Watch Day 1 here:
https://youtube.com/shorts/MYVhmaZIKeE?si=W8i0HoZzKTIHy9oc
By the time we reached Bharuch, it was not just a halt — it was the beginning of bonding.
📍 18 Feb – Bharuch to Mount Abu
🏨 Hotel Hilltone
Mount Abu slows you down. Hills have a calming effect on human speed — both physical and mental.
Driving upward feels symbolic. As altitude increases, ego reduces.
Fellowship deepened. Conversations moved from surface topics to meaningful reflections.
🎥 Watch Day 2 here:
https://youtu.be/MB5NGcOTCsk?si=IEFQTadKkaomPhvW
Sometimes travel is less about destination and more about shared silence.
📍 19 Feb – Mount Abu to Dholavira via Rani Ki Vav
🏨 Evoke Tent City Dholavira
This day was about history and civilization.
Rani Ki Vav reminded us of India’s architectural brilliance.
Dholavira reminded us of human systems thousands of years ago.
Civilizations survive on structure, discipline, and collective intelligence.
Rotary also survives on the same pillars.
🎥 Watch Day 3 here:
https://youtube.com/shorts/Oi80v4t95dM?si=yCYJdpx-UdZ0vS1i
Standing in ancient ruins makes you humble.
We are temporary. Systems are lasting.
📍 20 Feb – Dholavira to Jamnagar
🏨 Sayaji Jamnagar
The rally rhythm had now matured.
Driving long stretches creates a meditative state.
Road becomes teacher. Patience becomes companion.
We were no longer just drivers — we were travellers.
🎥 Watch Day 4 here:
https://www.instagram.com/reel/DVB2CgOD1uA/?igsh=MWt5b2NkY2Rkb2lpcg==
https://youtube.com/shorts/-PoNArHiEbk?si=tiQC13Kwsbs179VR
Every kilometer added laughter, tea breaks, and shared moments.
📍 21 Feb – Jamnagar to Divine Darshan
Dwarka → Nageshwar → Somnath
🏨 Sagar Darshan Somnath
This was the spiritual heart of the journey.
Dwarka — Krishna’s wisdom.
Nageshwar — Mahadev’s silence.
Somnath — resilience beyond destruction.
Somnath teaches something profound —
You can destroy structure, but not faith.
🎥 Watch Day 5 here:
https://youtube.com/shorts/CldwVeI8XWk?feature=share
Spiritual travel does not make you religious.
It makes you centered.
📍 22 Feb – Somnath to Rajkot via Gir Safari
🏨 Sarovar Rajkot
Nature became teacher this day.
Seeing a majestic lion pair in Gir forest creates instant humility.
Power exists without announcement.
The jungle operates on balance — not ego.
🎥 Watch Day 6 here:
https://youtube.com/shorts/V7R9M_6q5_k?feature=share
When you return from the jungle, you speak softer.
📍 23 Feb – Rajkot to Surat via Amul Factory Visit
🏨 La Casa Resort Surat
The Amul Dairy visit at Anand was deeply inspiring.
Millions of farmers. One cooperative system.
Small contributions — massive national impact.
This is what organized collective action can achieve.
Rotary functions on the same principle.
🎥 Watch Day 7 here:
https://youtu.be/dbFegcrgrAE
Evening Rotary Foundation celebration reminded us —
Service is serious work, but fellowship makes it joyful.
📍 24 Feb – Return to Pune
Every journey ends geographically.
But not emotionally.
Driving back home felt different.
Silence was deeper. Gratitude stronger.
🎥 Watch Day 8 here:
https://youtube.com/shorts/zfVHJbmTcU4?feature=share
Thank you very much Rotary club of Pimpri for concluding party at Pimpri it a was a great gesture.
We returned with:
• Stronger bonds
• Calmer minds
• Richer memories
• Renewed Rotary spirit
What This Rally Truly Meant
This was not just:
🚗 A car rally
🛣️ A road trip
📸 A photo opportunity
It was:
🤝 Fellowship in motion
🕉️ Spiritual grounding
🦁 Nature’s reminder
🥛 Cooperative inspiration
❤️ Shared laughter
Life itself is a rally.
Roads change. Weather changes. Speed changes.
But what matters most is:
Who travels with you.
Gratitude
Grateful for divine blessings, safe travels, fellow Rotarians, and the land of Saurashtra for giving experiences beyond expectation.
Rotary Saurashtra Car Rally
17 Feb – 24 Feb
Not just kilometers covered…
But hearts connected.
✍️ Sanjeev Chaudhary
www.sanjeevchaudhary.com
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