A 3-Minute Guide To Kutch Rann Utsav

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Many of us have seen Amitabh Bachhan featuring the Rann Utsav on behalf of Gujarat tourism. With the tag line of ‘Kutch Nehi Dekha To Kuch Nehi Dekha’, Rann Utsav is an annual cultural festival organised by the Gujarat tourism. Located at a distance of 80 km from Bhuj, Rann is a white salt marsh spread over the district of Kutch (Dhordo). Many people also refer it as White Desert of Rann as well. This post is directed towards peeping into the festival details of Rann Utsav along with its other whereabout.

Rann Utsav

The yearly festival begins in October end or November start and continues till mid or end of February.

The fiesta solely up brings the rich and varied culture and traditions of Gujarat. The festival ground is set near the white desert of Rann. Accommodation tents (both AC and non AC), performance stages, activity zones, restaurants, and other shops selling handicraft items are all set in the festival premises.

What to see/do in Rann of Kutch festival

You can enjoy a camel or a horse ride to the desert from the festival ground. Both individual mammals and carts are available to take you to the desert. Just at the centre of the sprawling white land, you will find a watching tower. Since Rann is a salt marsh; the steel erection is made resembling a scientific salt structure. As climbing up is prohibited, you can enjoy some magnificent views of Rann from the base of the tower.

Enjoying a sunset or a sunrise in Rann is one of the not-to-miss things to do in Rann of Kutch. You can also pamper yourself at Rann under a full moon night.

The festival ground hosts adventure activities like parasailing, ATV rides and skyzilla. It also has several gaming zones for kids. Magic shows and toy-train rides are few other activities for the children in the Rann of Kutch festival.

Apart from these, several podiums are built in the festival ground where cultural programs take place at various timings in the evening.

Nevertheless, there are numerous shops on the festival premises for the shopaholics. Handicraft items, leather bags, wallets, shoes, traditional dresses, jewellery, fancy decorative articles and home décor items are some of the best buys here.

Besides, numerous food stalls are also there in the ground. North Indian, South Indian, Italian and Chinese; all are available at these small souks. Common foot stuffs like Pav-Bhaji, Maggi, sandwich, hot and cold beverages, burgers, Gol-Gappa and rolls are also obtainable here.

Since the Indo-Pak border is only 70 km away from Rann, you will find a lot of Army personnel patrolling along the desert.

Food and Accommodation

The tent city at Rann (Dhordo) is an initiative by the Gujarat government. The tent city hosts more than 300 luxury AC and non AC tents. Apart from this, there are numerous resorts and hotels in Dhordo to provide you with accommodation.

As mentioned above, the festival ground hosts a lot of restaurants (apart from the food stalls). Gujarati Thali and other North Indian food are the best picks here. You can have your meals at any of these restaurants here.

How to reach

Bhuj is well connected by bus, train and flights with the majority of the metro cities. Once you arrive at Bhuj, you can book a cab to take you to Rann of Kutch.

Private bikes and scooters are also available from Bhuj to explore ran.

Rann of Kutch permit

Yes, you need to take a permit for your visit to Rann of Kutch. Both the vehicle and traveller need permission. One can avail the same online or upon arriving at Kutch as well.

My opinion

• The tent price in a tent city is too high. Therefore, it’s advisable to stay either in Bhuj or in any other resorts in Dhordo.
• The best time to visit Rann is in the afternoon. Thereby, you can both enjoy the setting sun and the rising moon.
• Though the day temperature at Rann is high and scorching, its chilly at night. Make sure you have both sunscreen and woollen while at Rann of Kutch.
• Wear comfortable shoes. Strolling across the desert involves a lot of legwork.
• Carry enough dry food packets and water bottles.
• Bargaining is the must thing to do here before buying any items from the shops.

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