Raiyoli Fossil Park

Raiyoli Dinosaur Fossil Park is a paleontological site located near Balasinor in the Mahisagar district of Gujarat, India. It preserves extensive Late Cretaceous dinosaur remains—including egg clutches, skeletal elements, and trackways—and is regarded as one of the world’s largest dinosaur hatcheries.^[1][2][3]

Location and discovery

Raiyoli (also spelled Raiholi) lies north of Balasinor in eastern Gujarat. In 1981, during a routine geological survey of this mineral-rich area, palaeontologists from the Geological Survey of India uncovered dinosaur bones and fossils. Their excavations revealed dinosaur egg hatcheries and remains of at least thirteen species of dinosaur. The most notable discovery was a carnivorous abelisaurid theropod later named Rajasaurus narmadensis, a previously unknown predator estimated to be 7.5–9 meters (25–30 ft) long—approximately two-thirds the size of Tyrannosaurus rex.^[4] It lived during the Late Cretaceous period.^[5]

Paleontological significance

Subsequent excavations at Raiyoli produced a trove of dinosaur remains—eggs, bones, and a partial skeleton now housed in a Kolkata museum—drawing scientists and tourists alike to the region.^[5] Researchers working in Raiyoli have determined that Gujarat contains one of the largest known clutches of dinosaur hatcheries in the world. At least thirteen dinosaur species nested there for more than 100 million years until their extinction around 65 million years ago. The soft, fine‐grained soil facilitated hatching and protection of eggs, leading many palaeontologists to consider Raiyoli’s fossilised eggs second only to those found in Aix-en-Provence (France) for their preservation.^[5]

The village of Dholi Dungri—bordering Balasinor taluka, and part of the broader Raiyoli-Balasinor fossil province—yielded the discovery of Sanajeh indicus, a primitive madtsoiid snake preserved swallowing a sauropod dinosaur egg. This find indicates predation on hatchling dinosaurs.^[6][7]

Local response and conservation

The initial news of dinosaur-egg finds was greeted with enthusiasm by neighbouring villagers, many of whom collected fossilized eggs and worshipped them as sacred relics. To protect the scientific value of the site, authorities now prohibit unauthorized removal of fossils. Excavations at Raiyoli continue under supervision, and local outreach efforts emphasize both heritage preservation and community involvement.^[8][9]

Dinosaur tourism and Princess Aaliya

Following the excavations, tourism officials of Gujarat branded the area "Dinosaur Tourism". Aaliya Sultana Babi—popularly known as the "Dinosaur Princess"—conducts guided tours of the Raiyoli Dinosaur Fossil Park, blending paleontological interpretation with local folklore. The tours have further increased visitor interest, drawing scientists, students, and tourists from across India and abroad.^[6][10][11]