Insight into Rann Utsav at Great Rann of Kutch

When it comes to counting colors, moods, moments & occasions, no alternative place in India, if not the globe, is additional versatile than Gujarat. Blessed with rare geographical diversity & rich flora & fauna, Gujarat additionally attracts tourists for its ethnic, colourful folks.

There are some things in life as colourful because the desert- hidden in this barren land may be a riot of colors, reflecting in the folks who live there. A highlight to the present is the tribal community of the hauntingly stunning Rann of Kutch, that is still committed to tradition, rituals, and customs & after all, Festivals. Here is my attempt at familiarizing the intrepid traveler with one of Gujarat's Biggest & most standard honest-festival: The Rann Utsav. This festive extravaganza is the best tribute to the sweetness & spirit of this glorious region that's known for enveloping the state in a frenzy that may put the most effective vocabulary to shame.

A unique geographical feature of Kutch is the Great Rann of Kutch, an expanse of concerning 30,00zero sq km of salt desert & seasonal marshland that lies between the Gulf of Kutch & the Indus River. The area was once the shallows of the Arabian Ocean before geological uplift closed off the association of the sea, let alone an enormous lake which turns into a desert. 

The Rann Utsav, an annual competition, offers an unimaginable chance to explore the Great Rann of Kutch & the Banni grassland to the north of Bhuj. In December-January, an enormous tented village near Dhorodo village is founded by the Gujarat tourist authorities to accommodate tourists for the festival. Because the evening shadows lengthen, camel carts are readied to take tourists into the salt flats & marshes of the Great Rann of Kutch. You'll be able to witness the sensible sunset from the camel carts. After disembarking, trudge on the salt flats to relish a excellent read of the white desert shimmering in the moonlight. The atmosphere is especially breathtaking on a full moon night. Food is served within the desert wilderness & musicians sing folk songs of the region, known for its Sindhi 'bhajans' & Sufi music.

Another distinctive expertise of the Rann Utsav is that the trip to Kala Dungar, literally Black Hills, of Kutch. The drive lands up the hill to the Dattatray Temple which incorporates a singularly lovely view of the vast expanses of the salt desert of the Great Rann of Kutch stretching towards the India-Pakistanborder. The surrounding scrub vegetation trills with the decision of birds. When the priests of the temple decision, 'Lo-Aang', packs of jackals come back out from the scrubland to feast on the temple offerings laid out for them.

Dhorodo lies in the heart of the Banni grassland where pastoral villages turn out some of india's finest hand-embroidery with a selection of styles that differ from one community to another. You'll be able to tour the gamut of villages that dot the grasslands like Sumrasar Sheikh, Bhirendiaro, Hodka, Gorewali, Dhorodo, Ludia, etc. to observe women doing embroidery. You'll be able to keep at Shaam-e-Sarhad, an endogenous tourism resort in Hodka designed using local craft skills.

Northwest of Bhuj, the villages of Zura & Nirona are home to several lesser known craft skills. At both these places, it is doable to observe 'luhar' (blacksmiths) hand-casting melodic bells. These villages are also known for his or her lacquered woodcrafts. The people art that's currently restricted to only one family is 'rogan', which involves an intricate method of creating colours by mixing pigments with castor oils. Southwest from Bhuj, Mundra is that the centre for 'namada', the art of felting.  Dhamadka may be a traditional centre for 'ajrakh' block-printing. For daring embroidery of the Ahir community, visit the villages of Dhaneti & Padhhar.

In conjunction with craft villages & the distinctive salt desert landscape of the Great Rann of Kutch, the Rann & its adjacent Banni grasslands are pleasant for bird watching. Flocks of flamingos & storks mingle concerning the pristine fresh-water lakes & salt marshes, together with a sensible number of larks, eagles, falcons & alternative raptors.

A visit to Bhuj is an expertise of its types. Though the 2001 earthquake devastated Bhuj & destroyed its grand palaces, it's still one amongst the simplest places to get an introduction to Kutch with fine monuments, museums & markets.

Tera at Kutch could be a heritage village with a scattering of mosques, temples, stepwells, havellis & a medieval fort with Ramayan-themed frescoes within. A notable feature of Tera's havelis is the gateway- carved wooden doors framed by ornate stonework that includes Indian & western motifs.

The north western tip of Kutch, with its fortified villages, was once an necessary centre for sea trade & the villages here grew prosperous from the maritime activities.

The pageant additionally features folk performances, competitions & handicraft demonstrations. Choose from excursions organised to varied sites, from the archaeological website at Dholavira to the holy lake of Narayan Sarovar.