Rann of Kutch Festival – The Winter Carnival of Gujarat

Rann of Kutch Festival or Rann Festival is the best way to experience the beauty of Gujarat, the westernmost state of India. Also known as Rann Utsav or the Gujarat Festival, the event is a great opportunity to witness the culture and heritage of the region. Visitors have an opportunity to witness the folk dance and music of the area, and also watch the artisans as they work to create some impressive artifacts and souvenirs that travelers can take back home.

The festival is also a great opportunity for sightseeing as the Rann of Kutch is one of the most colorful regions of India. Different parts of the region are especially adorned with attractive decorations for the visitors, and it stays like this for the most part of the duration of the festival. Rann Utsav 2019 will be held from 28^th October 2019 to 23^rd February 2020. During this time, visitors from all over the world will flock to the region and indulge in different activities ranging from sightseeing and adventure tours to experience the cultural heritage of the place.

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The Rann of Kutch – India’s Pride

A large area comprising almost solely of salt marshland, Rann of Kutch is located in Gujarat’s Kutch. This huge chunk of land is situated in the Thar Desert, and the salt marshes play their part in attracting tourists from all over the world due to their captivating views. Witnessing a sunset is absolutely awe-inspiring in the Rann of Kutch, and watching the full moon feels like a whole new experience when your surroundings are beautiful.

Rann of Kutch is divided broadly into 2 parts – the Great Rann of Kutch and the Little Rann of Kutch. The terrain is such that mirages are often formed here, and visitors in the region have shared stories about how they saw an illusion that was as real as could be. The Rann of Kutch is bordered by desert on one side, while on the other side there is the Arabian Sea. The Rann of Kutch is definitely scenic in a very unique way that makes it very exciting for travelers.

The Rann of Kutch is not entirely in India, and some part of it is also located in Pakistan. Rann occupies an area of approximately 7500 square kilometers in India, and thus it is one of the largest salt deserts across the world. The Rann of Kutch lies between India’s Gulf of Kutch and Pakistan’s Indus River with flatlands of salty clay at an elevation of about 15 m above sea level stretching between the two countries. Once a part of the Arabian Sea, the flatlands are disconnected from the sea now due to geological shifting and thus a huge lake has formed.

Luni and West Banas are 2 rivers that flow into the Thar Desert from the North east, while the River Rupen approaches from the east. There is a wildlife sanctuary on its sandy islets, which houses numerous birds such as Flamingos, Common Teal, Ducks, Sarus Cranes and Pelicans. Sounds beautiful, right? There is more that you can witness in this beautiful region. It is absolutely stunning on a full moon night, and perhaps one of the best places in the world to spend such a night.

Things to Do at Rann Utsav

There are several activities that one can try during the Gujarat Festival. No matter how many days you’re here for, you will definitely not get bored of the natural beauty of the place. Here are some things that you must dedicate some time to.

A Romantic Sojourn with the Moon:

Serene white sand shining under the light of the moon and a clear blue sky are exactly what you want when you think of spending time with nature. Thankfully, this is what you get to experience when you’re at the Rann of Kutch Festival. You can spend hours watching the moon and still not get bored.

Experience the Culture

Folk artists arrive from all corners of Gujarat and put together an event you cannot even imagine. The performers are everywhere and you only need to only sit sit back and soak in the art they have to offer. You can actually set up a bonfire in the desert while the local singers and musicians are playing folk songs for hours on end.

Sightseeing and Adventure

Of course, the stay can never be complete without indulging in some adventure. The desert has endless adventures and activities that you can try out. There are safe and easy adventure activities for kids and moderate to difficult ones for adults. Desert safari is one such activity that you must not miss during your time at the Rann Utsav.

Hot Air Balloon Ride

The hot air balloon ride is one of the most exhilarating experiences in the region. The vibrant hues of the salt sand visible from the balloon is captivating and one cant stop thinking about the view from the top even days and months after getting back from the Rann Utsav.

Spending Beach Time in Mandvi

Since it is very close to the Arabian sea, there are beaches by the nearby lakes as well as the sea itself. One can entertainment themselves on the shore or inside the water.

Handicrafts

You can visit the nearby villages of Bhirandiyra, Khavda, and Gandhi-Nugam and take part in some amazing handicraft workshops. Remember that these things are only available in abundance during the Rann Utsav. At other times, it is hard to find such workshops. Thus, you should remember the date of Rann Utsav 2019.

Shopping:

No trip to any fair or festival in India is complete without some shopping from the local markets of the area, and Kutch Festival is no different. From exotic handcrafted Gujarati articles and leather articles to beautiful silverware, intricate Kutchi embroidery, and beautifully crafted ornaments, it is all available here. During the festive time, it is suggested to keep a budget aside for these things as it gets difficult to resist these gorgeous items!

The Food at Rann Utsav:

Any conversation about Rann Utsav is incomplete without talking about the variety of food that one gets to relish here. The organizers give their complete attention to every small detail of the food, and all sorts of local cuisine can be tried during the festival. There are stalls, small shops, and restaurants where people can try out different foods, and also support local small businesses.

Location and How to Reach

Accessing Rann of Kutch is not a difficult task, and one can easily reach here. However, rail and air routes do not directly take you to the Rann Festival, and you will have to hire a taxi or take a bus to the festival.

By Air: The nearest airport to Kutch is in Bhuj, which is located at a distance of approximately 70 km, and can be reached in a little less than 1.5 hours. The nearest international airport is Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad, which has flights to and from all big cities in India as well as cities outside the country.

By Rail: Bhuj has the nearest railway station, which is at a distance of 70km. from Kutch. The railway station has direct or connecting trains to all major Indian cities like Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Jaipur, etc.

By Bus: There are several state transport buses that will take you to the location of Rann Utsav from Bhuj and other nearby cities. The journey is relaxed and there are numerous options to choose from including AC, semi-deluxe, and sleeper buses.

Drive: The drive to Kutch is a pleasurable one. The view from you window will be very impressive and it is a good option to drive to the festival because you get to take many stops to appreciate the beauty of nature.

Hired Taxis: Travel agents in nearby cities, including Ahmedabad, Vadodara, Rajkot, and Surat, operate Taxis. The tariff to reach the Rann of Kutch is not too high.

Distance from Major Cities

Rann of Kutch to Bhuj: 70 km (approx. 1.5 hours)

Rann of Kutch to Ahmedabad: 334 km (approx. 7 hours)

Rann of Kutch to Vadodara: 511 km (approx. 9 hours)

Rann of Kutch to Rajkot: 300 km (approx. 6 hours)

The Rann of Kutch Festival or Rann Utsav is one of the most popular festivals in the country. Even though the location is far for people traveling from across the country or the world, the festival attracts a great number of tourists during the Rann Utsav. This, in turn, helps in supporting approximately 25 villages in the region. The festival is held for a duration of close to 4 months and is a brilliant mix of local artisans and tourists from all over the world. It captures the  Gujarat culture in all its glory. Gujarat has a great heritage of welcoming guests with open arms and the Rann Utsav is a yearly testament to this fact.