India is a land of versatile natural beauty. While on one hand it has beautiful beaches and lagoons to explore, on the other, it offers the tranquillity of the serene hills and mountains. The plains and the valleys have great historical importance and stand a witness to the changing times and evolution of culture and civilization. On the flip side, India is also the house to deserts which have a unique way of mesmerising the travellers and are definitely worth exploring. The exquisite Rann of Kutch is one such place which one should not miss out on. Rann, which is the home of India’s largest salt marsh is worth its while and not just because of the unique beauty of the vast salt desert. The region is divided into 2 parts, the Great Rann, known for its landscapes and the Little Rann which is the hub of wildlife and salt farming.
The Great Rann is an experience in itself. Spread across 7500 square kilometres, this place not only allures you with its vastness but is also very inviting to see the way the salt shimmers under the broad daylight. The surface seems to become a rainbow of colours as the sun shifts and sets and turns into a true visual treat under the full moon. The Little Rann offers a travel through time as you visit the ancient ruins, the temples and landscapes. However, these are not the only things that have helped Rann of Kutch make its way to the list of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites of India. Rann of Kutch has a plethora of experiences which will leave your senses delighted, especially during the Rann Festival. The Rann festival or Rann Utsav, as it is commonly known is the celebration of the cultural heritage of the region which takes place between October and February/March.
Here are 5 Reasons why you should visit the Rann of Kutch during the Rann Utsav:
AccommodationDuring the Rann Utsav, you will have access to the best options for stays really close to the White Salt Desert. One of the main attractions of the event is an opportunity to stay in the ‘Tent City’. Dhordo – The tent city,offers stay in luxury tents with the vast desert in the background. This is the major setting for the Rann Utsav.
WeatherThe Rann Utsav stretches from October to mid-February. This is the perfect time to visit the Rann of Kutch, when the weather is pleasant for sightseeing. Kutch means intermittently wet and dry, you get to experience the dry and arid desert of the winters which are safer than the marshland.
SightseeingYou can go sightseeing to enjoy the vast landscapes or visit other interesting places nearby such as Bhuj, Dhordo, Mandavi Beach, and Dholavira etc. This gives you ample opportunity to experience other places in Gujarat apart from the Rann of Kutch, in the same trip. If you plan your trip to accommodate the full moon days, you can experience the ethereal beauty of the White Rann under the full moon.
Shopping The Rann of Kutch is known for its colourful crafts and intricate artwork, and the Rann Festival is a celebration of all things Kutchi.You can explore the stalls set up by local craftsmen and artisans and take back beautiful artwork as souvenirs.
Cultural EventsYou get to take a sneak peek into the cultural heritage of the region through the daily cultural and musical performances held at the Rann Utsav. Given the throngs of tourists who flock the region during the Kutch Utsav, the additional benefit of visiting Kutch during this time is the variety of specially organized adventure activities here, such as Para motoring, parasailing, Segway rides, ATV rides, camel cart rides, etc.