Great Rann of Kutch - White Magic

  

            The Rann of Kutch is a vast region of salt marshland that crosses the border between Pakistan and India. It is mainly located in Gujarat (mainly Kutch district), India and parts of Sindh, Pakistan.

            The vast expanse is located in the Thar Desert and is made up of salt marshes. Sunsets at the Great Rann of Kutch are a reward for the eyes after exploring the area.

               The region is divided into two parts, the Great Rann of Kutch and the Little Rann of Kutch, and consists of vast salt deposits in the desert. These reserves are known to create a mirage, and many pilgrims tell stories about seeing optical illusions that seem as good as true.

               The name, Great Rann of Kutch, came from the term "Rann" means desert in Hindi and the district (Kutch) in which it is found. It is known to be one of the largest salt deserts in the world.

Geographical Position Of Rann

            The majestic Rann of Kutch is a wide grassland region in India and has desert on one side and the Arabian Sea on the other that makes the biodiversity survive in the extreme climate of Kutch.

            The salt marshland of the Great Ran of Kutch is found in the Thar Desert of the Kutch district of Gujarat. One Part of this Rann is in India and another part of Rann is in the Sindh province of Pakistan. It covers a large area of over 7,510 square km in India making it one of the largest salt deserts in the world. The Rann is divided into two parts, the Great and Little Rann of Kutch, and the Banni Grasslands to the south.

        It exists between the Gulf of Kutch and the Indus River in Pakistan and consists of flat lands of salted clay about 15 meters above sea level. These plains were once part of the Arabian Seabed, but due to the constant geological upsurge of the area, the land was detached from the sea, leaving a large lake. The rivers Luni and West Banas flow from the north-east into the Thar Desert, while the river Rupen flows from the east. The wildlife sanctuary on this sandy island of the region is home to numerous birds such as Flamingos, Common Teal, Pelicans, Ducks and Sarus Cranes.

Rann's Festival

            Rann Utsav is a colourful festival of the life and colors of the rich and vibrant culture of Kutch and Gujarat. The festival is organised in the heart of the alluring Rann of Kutch with folk songs, dance and finger-licking good Gujarati delicacies. It's a 3-months event and a lot of family holidays are planned during the time to explore and celebrate the lively Kutch festivals.

          Overnight stay is highly advised as the visuals of the Kutch Rann, particularly during full moon nights, cannot be found in any other part of the world.

Rann during the full-moon night

            The first traveler to the Kutch Rann Utsav (November to February) is always surprised by the beauty of Dhordo, the last village in Bhuj, on the road to the festival. Each year from October to February, migrating birds from the farthest corners of the globe, including Siberia, Central Asia and Europe, flourish and are the greatest birdwatcher's refuge, combined with the perfect white sands of the desert. Also, a location for car lovers to test their drives, Dhordo sees a lot of activity from locals and tourists alike. AC and non-AC tents available during the festival.

            The Kalo Dungar is the highest point in the Kutch region and the best place to see the entire Rann with a spectacular view. The Dungar is also famous because of the renowned Dattatreya Temple, which is of tremendous importance because of the folklore connected to it.

Bhuj - Doorway to Kutch Festival        

            Bhuj is your starting point, on way to the Kutch Rann Utsav. Bhuj is the headquarter of the Kutch district and the antithesis of the man-made marvel of giving life to the stereotypical dead desert air, with colorfully adorned natives, & during the festival season, full of ethnic jewelry and beautiful localities. Popular for the fine craftsmanship of bandhni – native tie and dye method and leatherwork, and for its traditional dishes such as dabelies and the famous buffet of Gujarati thali, Bhuj is the best place to kick-start your Rann Utsav trip. On your way, don't forget to visit the Aina Mahal Museum & the Sri Swaminarayan Mandir, the 2 most famous tourist attractions in Bhuj.

How to Reach

            The nearest railway station is Bhachau Railway Station in the city of Bhachau, which is about 85 km from the breathtaking expanse of Rann Kutch. The nearest airport is Kandla Airport in Kutch, which is about 110 km far from the salt desert.

            Visitors can hire tourist taxis to enter the Great Rann of Kutch by highway from the airport or the railway station. There are frequent direct busses running from Bhuj to Rann of Kutch, which travelers can take.

Best Time to Visit

        The great season to visit the Great Rann of Kutch is between November and February, as the climate is good to explore the outdoors & also for enjoying the festival.