The White Desert: Rann Of Kutch

The Land of the White Salt Desert and exquisite art and craft, Kutch is a quiet haven though often overshadowed by neighboring Rajasthan.
For quite some, we debated whether its white sand or salt... The vast stretches of the 'White Desert' didn't fail to mesmerize us.
The Great Rann of Kutch is the world’s largest salt desert that measures about 16,000 sq km. This means 16,000 sq km of absolutely blinding whiteness!

Nowhere in this world will you find a counterpart to this amazing piece of geography that turns marshy during the monsoons and then back to its brilliant white glory during the winters and summers.

The best time to visit Kutch is between November to March, during the Kutch Festival. And more preferably, during the full moon night, when the White Desert seems to be covered with a silver veil.

From Ahmedabad, it takes around 6-7 hours to reach Bhuj, (350 km approx), and from Bhuj to Kutch, its another 2 hours. There are frequent buses throughout the day, and trust me, the Gujarat State Transport is good, indeed!

Since the area is under the BSF, an inner-line permit is needed. If you are going by the State Bus, then you need not worry about it because they will only provide it to you. 

The festival brings forth the rich heritage and culture of the place, showcasing the Kutchi way of life.
 It is ideal to witness the creativity of the artisans and craftsmen, a different and rare genre of folk music, amidst the diverse ecology.

If you want to do desert camping, the best option is to pre-book the cottages, online. Gujarat Tourism has a wide range of offers for the tourists. But if it seems to be too much of a pocket-pinch, then stay at Bhuj, where you'll have ample cheap stay options.

Apart from the White Desert and the Festival, Kutch has a sanctuary where various species reside. The Wild Ass is found only in the Kutch Sanctuary, and nowhere else in the world. Thousands of migratory birds can also be seen.

Bhuj, the most important city of the Kutch Region,  is a paradise for tourists who are interested in purchasing handicrafts especially embroidered textiles. The city is a maze of alleys. Fine examples of Gujarati architecture can be found in the form of houses and temples. The major attractions in Bhuj are the Aina Mahal, bell tower in Prag Mahal, Kshtrapa inscriptions in the Kutch museum, which is believed to be the oldest museum in the region, see the characters of Ramayana inscribed on the wall near the steps at Ramkund and visit the Hamirsar Lake.

And as Amitabh Bachchan says in the Gujarat Tourism ad, the place is worth visiting once, if you want to see a different side of the country.


Happy Travelling!

Posted in: Gujarat