The beauty of Rann of Kutch is a colossal region located in the land of lions and legends. Known for its heavenly beauty and cultural festivals, the land promises to fetch you a dream of fulfilling your travel experiences and provide you with a rich selection of itineraries that fulfill every aspect of a traveler’s heart.
Whether you’re a nature lover, a cultural lover, or a wildlife lover, this place promises extravagant beauty in all dimensions. One bears the priceless sights of pink flamingos and wild asses seeking shelter in their cozy shrub homes and small water bodies amongst the white sands that cover most of the land. There are holy temples located at the scenic view of the Pushpavati river near Mehsana. This temple is known as the Modhera sun temple, embedding the legacy of the Solanki dynasty in its walls with its ancient, vintage carvings and sculptures. Let's dive into the vibrant Carnival of Kutch, Gujarat which takes place every year.
Every year during the winter Nov-Feb, the vast expanse of the glittering white salt desert comes to life in Kutch as the sea water recedes after the monsoons. It is then that this beautiful desert carnival is organized.
The festival celebrates the rich culture of Gujarat, folk music, dance performances, artisans, crafts, storytelling sessions, mouth-watering dishes, and walks through the desert.
Where to stay and how to reach?
The tent city is the primary venue of the joyous celebrations. The ideal accommodations are the modern, Non-Ac Swiss tents with ensuite washrooms, and the latest amenities are set up in the village of Dhorodo for travelers to stay in. Dhorodo village is 80 kms from Bhuj. One can easily reach Bhuj by train or flight or via road.
What activities to do?
The Rann of Kutch has a lot to offer to its tourists, and we aim to provide a regenerative approach towards tourism. There are so many spaces that are not yet explored to it’s entirety given how beautiful they are, we tend to aim to share about those places to help you know about the beauty of the massive expanse of land that is yet to be discovered. These spots of tourism have a sense of peace intertwined with beauty and stories that fulfill a traveler’s heart.
The Little Rann is located 200km east of the Rann and is home to an enormous Wildlife Sanctuary, it is home to the only remaining population of the chestnut-colored Indian wild ass (khur), as well as blue-bulls, blackbuck, and chinkara. It shelters home to a variety of local flora and fauna and a manifold of birdlife. The Little Rann also has sights to visit such as the Kutch Museum and the Vijay Villas Palace. Highlighting from a royal background, this palace holds the utmost historic significance and beauty. The great palace of Mandvi was built in 1929 by his highness Vijay Singhji, the Maharao of Kutch, as a summer retreat. This palace has an arched terrace that gives a scenic view of the oasis of water bodies. It’s interiors look like the royal headquarters in the palace where the king would attend to his work with his nobles.
Having such a rich history endowed upon with nature’s treasures, the Rann of Kutch is also famous for its Mandvi beach. The beach is covered with white sand and a spectacular look of the sea and trees. For most tourists who wish to relax, this is the perfect spot. It does not hold a lot of crowds and has a lot of picturesque beauty to offer to its tourists.
Following this, there are sightings of historic importance one cannot miss, such as the Shyamji Krishna Varma Memorial. Our history is indebted to so many fighters and brave hearts that have fought for our country and its freedom. The objective of this memorial is to teach the young generation that patriotism is an emotion that runs deep in our veins and we must not forget those who have shed blood for this country. History seeks to hold value for our valiant soldiers and Shyamji Krishna Varma was one of them. He was one of the most courageous freedom fighters in the history of the freedom movement in India and he did his best to fight and serve his country. This memorial holds his legacy and does its best to tell his story.
For those who are mountain lovers, the Kala Dungar also known as the Black Hill is the highest point in Kutch. A panoramic astonishing view of the Rann will be visible from this peak. One can enjoy a visit to the Handicraft Village also known as the ‘Gandhi Nu Gaam’ on its way. If you love ethnic and traditional design work, then you will definitely be charmed sure with the pieces of art that would be sold at Gandhi Nu Gam. You can buy colorful quilts with kaleidoscopic designs, Ghagra cholis, tote bags, purses, traditional clothes, skirts with exquisite embroidery and mirror work, ethnic jewelry, and so much more.
At EarthyHues we follow and encourage regenerative travel practices that help nature and local communities’ flourish. This is how you can make a difference:
Explore the unexplored, enjoy the beauty of the off-beaten tracks, carry your own metal water bottle, avoid single-use plastic, carry your own cutlery and reusable shopping bags, visit the local villages, mingle with the locals listen to their interesting stories over a cup of chai with them.
Buy from the locals and villagers because when you buy from them, it ensures your contribution towards the sustainable income of the village which in turn will help its development. As you bid farewell to the culture and talent that Gandhi Nu Gam expresses in its colourful vibrations, you feel a sense of joy and pride for all that the village has achieved and its beautiful products that proudly construe the rich heritage of India. The village is an inspiration to the, “Make In India,” campaign, and a silent ode for others to model themselves on.
Planning your travel to the vibrant state of Gujarat? Write to us at info@earthyhues.com and we will help organize a memorable hassle-free trip for you.