Balasinor Dinosaur Fossil Park

Balasinor Dinosaur Fossil Park at Raiyoli in Mahisagar District, Gujarat, is one of the world's largest dinosaur fossil excavation sites. Located about 11 km from Balasinor town, the park preserves Late Cretaceous fossils dating back about 65 million years. It is noted for extensive fossilized dinosaur eggs, bones and skeletal remains, and includes an on-site museum with exhibits and life-size models.

Visitors can expect an open-air fossil excavation site spread over a rocky, undulating terrain with protected fossilized dinosaur eggs and bone fragments embedded in the ground, along with an indoor museum displaying fossil replicas, maps, photographs and life-size dinosaur models. The site includes marked trails, information boards and a visitor interpretation centre explaining the Cretaceous period and the Rajasaurus narmadensis species found here. The surroundings are semi-arid with sparse vegetation.

The Raiyoli site was discovered in 1981-1982 by geologists of the Geological Survey of India and is dated to the Late Cretaceous period, approximately 65 million years ago. Excavations have yielded numerous fossilized dinosaur eggs, bones, and remains of at least 13 species, including the Rajasaurus narmadensis. It is considered the third largest dinosaur fossil site in the world and provides important evidence of dinosaurs inhabiting the Narmada Valley.

The park is of significant educational and scientific importance as a paleontological heritage site, promoting awareness of natural history and geo-tourism in Gujarat. It is developed and promoted by Gujarat Tourism as a key attraction for students, researchers and tourists.