The Great Rann of Kutch
The Great Rann of Kutch is the greatest attraction that you mustn’t miss while traveling to Gujarat, the westernmost state of India. Among all the varieties that you are going to taste in Gujarat, coming to the Rann will be the most exotic and awe-inspiring for the picturesque panoramic view and the unique culture. The Hindi word Rann means ‘desert’ and per sources from the epics Mah?bh?rata and Rig Veda, the Hindi word originated from Sanskrit ‘Irina’.
Location
Today, the word Rann is understood to be a widening salt marsh. This panoramic Rann of Kutch is located in the Kutch District of Gujarat, India as well as bordering the Sindh province that is now in Pakistan. Per estimation, the white salt marshy land stretches for 7,505.22 square kilometers at a direction of 24.0864° N, 70.6378° E. This is measured to be the largest salt desert in the world.
The local Kutchi people are the original inhabitants of the Rann.
Best Time to Visit
Winter is the ideal season to visit the Great Rann of Kutch in India. People opt for their Gujarat tour from late November to early March. After that, it becomes difficult to bear the sun and the extreme heat in the desert.
Explore the Great Rann of Kutch
Rann Utsav
Recently, the Gujarat Tourism has initiated the most special festival in the Rann popularly known as the Rann Utsav. In the months of December and January every year this festival is organized. Thousands of tourists from India and abroad visit the Great Rann of Kutch during this festival to witness the flamboyant culture of Gujarat. The best among the rest are catered to the tourists during this auspicious event so that the tourists can enshrine the wonderful memories of exploring the Kutch in their hearts.
Here they enjoy the popular dance, music, and theater staged by the local artists along with great home stay and eco-resort accommodation. The guests are offered with the quintessential cuisine of the Rann in a perfect “Atithi Devo Bhava” concept. Some of the recipes are century-old that were served to the zamindars and the maharajas of the area during their times per history.
Besides being entertained with the holistic music and dance of the region, the travelers from the far off lands can get a chance to explore the vast array of the handicraft artwork exhibited by the locals. From designed kites to masks and from exquisite home décor items to the flagship Rann drapes, linens and tribal jewelry- they can serve the most colorful stuff to the visitors. Thus, collecting souvenirs for the loved one back home cannot be a troublesome episode. The travelers have many options to explore and shop their chosen handicrafts from the Rann of Kutch.
Beach of Mandvi
Tourists can spend a quality day time by the Mandvi Beach. They can opt for the camel ride towards the Vijay Bilas Palace and enjoy the ride on the camel hump. The weather remains cool and comfortable by the beach because of the sea breeze the place experiences throughout the year. Still, winter is the ideal gateway season for the state of Gujarat and particularly the Rann.
Dholavira
This is the most recent sites added within the sightseeing list of Gujarat so as Kutch for the historical remains of the Indus Valley Civilization that have been excavated out by the archeological department. Located at Khadir Bet- an island on the Great Rann of Kutch, the city plan of the 5,000-year-old civilization has been excavated out from this area. Hence, tourists visiting the Rann of Kutch should travel to Dholavira to catch a glimpse of the ancient civilization that was buried for thousand years under the white salt marshes.
Kala Dungar
Known as the highest point of the Kutch, the Kala Dungar is a must-visit to get the stupendous glimpse of the vast and endless (as it looks) Kutch from this pinnacle. Tourists usually plan a combined tour of the Kala Dungar along with the India Bridge that situated adjacent to the Pakistan border. Tourists can take out some time to visit the handicraft villages on the way to the sightseeing.
Narayan Sarovar, Koteshwar, & Fossil Park
The Koteshwar is located nearby the Narayan Sarovar. The place reminds of Kanya Kumari located in the extreme South India. The place that is mainly surrounded by the Indian Navy attracts romantic travelers and those who want to spend some time in the blissfulness of the quaint place.
The Fossil Park nearby Bhuj in Nakhtarana is a must-see for those who have a deep interest to explore the archeological sites and Kutch is well-known for the many fossils unearthed till date.
Wild Ass Sanctuary at the Little Rann of Kutch
Tourists usually never miss the Little Rann of Kutch when they are traveling in the Great Rann of Kutch. The place is mostly dominated by the Wild Ass Sanctuary. The 5,000 sq.km of the area is sparsely green and sandy that is the ideal zone of many wild Asses. Besides, the sanctuary houses many migrated birds and animals.
How to reach?
By Air:
Bhuj is the nearest Airport that connects with all the major cities in India.
By Railway:
At a distance of around 25 kilometers the Dhangadhra railway station is situated. Travelers can avail train for this station for major Indian stations.
By Road:
Both private and public mode of conveyances are available to reach the Great Rann of Kutch.