The Great White Dessert festival- Rann Of Kutch
The largest district in India is the beautiful Gujarati town called Kutch. It’s a vast salt desert. It has diverse communities with a rich culture. One most unique and special places one can encounter is the Rann of Kutch. It used to be part of the Arabian Sea. It dries up, leaving behind the salt, which has very scientifically formed the Rann of Kutch. The Luni stays and doesn’t flow back into the Arabian Sea, making it a beautiful marshy landscape. It’s the most scenic site one can see. It has attracted millions of people year after year from across the globe.
It’s also known as the White Desert, as it’s a natural phenomenon of evaporation of these salt pans. Shri Narendra Modi envisaged this while he was hailed as the Chief Minister to start the The Great Rann Utsav of Kutch in 2006. He aimed to showcase the cultural heritage and natural beauty of this phenomenal place and bring it to the limelight in front of the world.Earlier, it began as a three-day festival and now has evolved into an annual 3 month long festival. It is also an amazing tent city at Dhordo.
The main attraction is the white desert under the full moonlight. This festival is an initiative to conserve the decade-old traditions of Kutch. The famous Kutchi music, food, dance, art forms and historic roots from the Indus civilisation. The festival supports local artists and communities, which gives them an opportunity to showcase their crafts, boost tourism and raise the local economy.
Things to do at Rann Utsav!
A makeshift tent city is built every year, curated with artisans portraying rich traditional art and culture. It has luxurious tents and traditional mud huts called the Bhungas. As the sunsets, you will get a chance to sleep on the Rann of Kutch and watch the stars with a full moon is yet another experience. Sunrises are the best in the desert as you see the entire pasture glow in the early hours.
There are many adventure activities you can explore in the salt desert. Camel rides are personal favourites. An ATV ride with the panoramic view is supercool. Paramotoring, zip-lining or hot air balloon rides are an absolute thrill. You can clap and twirl along the traditional Garba and Bhavai circle, and sing along with local artists at the cultural performances.
Shop for some unique Kutchi handicrafts. Some decades-old traditional jewellery (silver and beaded too), leather goods, clothes, bags, wall decor, rogan art, metal crafts, embroidered textiles, Bandhani tie-dye materials. Ajrakh bedsheets, sarees and bags are a great pick. You can also enjoy and rejuvenate with a massage, spa and pool. Play some games too, along with your family, in your leisure time.
The Italian Gothic-style Kutch Museum is a great piece of work. It was founded in 1877 by Maharao Khegarji has stone inscriptions from the Shatrapa dynasty. It is located the the Hamirsar Lake and displays Kutch’s rich heritage. You should definitely trek up to Kalo Dungar or Black Hill. Well, that’s the point where you can see the astonishing view of the Great Rann of Kutch. It’s the highest point in Kutch. A 400-year-old Dattatreya temple is just near Khadva village. Its road uphill is enchanting. You can also respect and salute the army on the way up.
You should definitely trek up to Kala Dungar or Black Hill. Well, that’s the point where you can see the astonishing view of the Great Rann of Kutch. It’s the highest point in Kutch. A 400-year-old Dattatreya temple is just near Khadva village. Its road uphill is enchanting. You can also respect and salute the army on the way up.
Bhuj has some lovely places to explore, like the Prag Mahal, Aina Mahal, the coastal town of Mandvi, Vijay Vilas palace and the scenic Mandvi beach. Dholavira, Narayan Sarovar and the Shyamji Krishna memorial.
Some villages are loaded with local art, and one such village you can visit is Nirona for their Metal bell work. Local crafts villages: Tour nearby villages to see artisans at work, such as the metal bell makers in Nirona. You can explore some Lippan kaam, a Kutchi art form with mud and mirror work often found as murals or home decor items.
You can miss some authentic Kutchi and Gujrati meal that includes bajra Rotla with ghee, kadhi and khichdi. Some tasty snacks like dabeli, fafda, jalebi, gathiya and pakwan. Some more include Lilva kachori, Khajuri, Khaman dhokla, and thepla.You can get some great accommodation options with Super premium, premium and deluxe tents. Different packages are made available, but well you can also spend an overnight here
Where is it and how to reach!
To visit the full moon night it’s recommended to visit on full moon nights. This road to heaven is 30 30-kilometre-long road, with an impressive scenic route in Kutch, Gujarat, that leads to Dholavira (Unesco World Heritage site). The impressive highway through the Rann of Kutch is a long stretch for a good walk or a horse ride.
The Rann Ustav and the tent city is just 80kms from Bhuj. You can come from your city to Bhuj airport or Kandla airport or hop to a train as the rail routes are good . You can also drive up in a car or hop on to a bus to Bhuj.
