Travel Tips (Kutch)

Kutch is the largest district of Gujarat wherein as many as 18 varied tribes live harmoniously, inspite of their distinct language, culture and customs. This is what makes it a paradise for cultural tourist worldwide.

Kutch Mahotsav or the great Kutch festival is organized during December – January every year near the days when Shivratri is celebrated in Gujarat. It offers access to the interior and beautiful recesses of the dessert district. Colorfully attired dancers, music concerts, Sindhi Bhajan performances, Langa Desert Music and shops selling traditional Kutchi embroideries and jewelry are to be enjoyed.

The dessert like Rann Of Kutch occupies a big part of the region. Mostly marshy, the Rann runs into the horizon. During summer it is dry and has a white coating of salt. In India’s monsoon, the flat dessert of salty clay and mudflats, averaging 15 meters above sea level, fills with standing waters, interspersed with sandy islets of thorny scrub, breeding grounds for some of the largest flocks of greater and lesser flamingos. The Rann Of Kutch is home to a wide array of flora and fauna. Migratory birds deem it an abode during diverse weather conditions. The Rann is also famous for the Indian Wild Ass Sanctuary, the Little Rann of Kutch, where the last of three species of Asiatic wild ass (Equus hemionus khur or khar) still exists along with wolves, foxes, jackals, chinkara gazelles, nilgai antelope and blackbucks as well as 13 species of lark.

The Rann of Kutch is a seasonally marshy saline clay desert located in the state of Gujarat, India.

Kutch is famous for handicrafts, Hills, white deserts, beautiful virgin sea beaches, various forts and above all DHOLAVEERA, an 5000years old culture which is digging our from sands.

How to Reach Kutch

By train

• Kutch Express (Daily) and Sayaji Nagri Express (Daily) from Mumbai via Surat, Ahmedabad and Gandhidham to Bhuj.
• Ala Hazrat Express(Daily) from Delhi via Jaipur, Ajmer and Palanpur to Bhuj.

By bus

• State transport and private buses available from Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Rajkot, Bhavnagar, Jamnagar and Jodhpur.

By air

• There is a daily flight of Jet Airways for Bhuj Airport from Mumbai. A daily flight is started from Mumbai for Kandla Airport near Gandhidham town by Air Deccan.

Kutch’s Spectacular Spots

• Aina Mahal
• Greater Rann [The White Desert]
• White Desert
• Bird Sanctury
• Mandvi Beach
• Narayan Sarovar
• Hajipir
• Dholavira.
• Mata na Madh
• Rudramata Dam, (12 kms from Bhuj on the way to Khavda).

Buy

Kutch is also famous for exquisite crafts like embroidery, applique work bed sheets and cushion covers. The ever so popular Bandhani (tie and die) fabrics, enameled silverware and other handicrafts are also found here and are a thing of interest for tourists. Around the Wild Ass Wildlife Sanctuary, you may shop for Patola Silk Sarees, Bandhanis, Ghagra-cholis and marriage costumes. You will also find interesting wall hangings, embroidered quilts, cradle clothes, cloth toys, embroidered footwear, lacquer furniture and curios. Kutch is very much spread over west-south of ran & it is difficult to go without escorts.

Eat

Hotels & vegetarian food is available. Mostly of the eatables are made out of milk, bajara and wheat. Kutch’s staple diet does not include rice but pulses (dal) are available.

Drink

Alcoholic drinks are prohibited in Kutch. Tea is the most popular drink in this regions irrespective of gender or caste. Black tea is considered as a sign of mourning and is not given to guests. For personal use foreigners are allowed to bring one-two bottles of alcohol with them. Mineral water bottles are available at cheap rates.

Distance – Bhuj from Major Town