The White Desert of India, Great Rann of Kutch

Located in the Thar Desert in the Kutch District of Gujarat, The Great Rann of Kutch is the largest salt desert in the world. The name "Kutch" came from the Hindi word "Ran" which means "Desert". The name "Rann" came from the Hindi word Ran which means "Desert". The Rann of Kutch is divided into main two parts Great Rann of Kutch and Little Rann of Kutch. The Little Rann of Kutch is spreaded around 4,950 sq km and The Great Rann of Kutch is spreaded around 7,850 sq km. Because of the marshy salty flats, The Great Rann of Kutch gets the snowy look. This endless landscape of pure white land fills with water at the time of monsoons.

The Great Rann of Kutch

Your journey throughout India is incomplete if you have missed this white desert. The heavenly beauty of The Great Rann of Kutch under full moon is a place to feel. It is the main attraction of Gujrat tourism. People from all around the world come here to witness this beauty and be present at the Rann festival. The duration of this festival is for 3-4 months. From November to February. This festival hosts a plethora of activities and performances by local artists, renowned singers, folk singers and some beautiful Gujrati cultural carnivals. Colourful dance performance with local folk music organized under the moonlight provides the most ethnic experience.

Tent City Set Up for the Festival

The great festival at The Rann of Kutch happens in a small village in Bhuj, which lies in Kutch district of Gujarat state. "Dhordo", located at 1 km away from Bhuj is the place of the festival. In the past times, people in this city used to struggle to find enough work to live their life as the whole place drowns under the water during monsoon and the rest time it is covered under white salt. There is no scope of any agriculture or animal husbandry. But, this same ecosystem brings the tourism here and thanks to the Government of Gujarat. During the festival time, a Tent City is set up by the government near to the white Rann. Thousands of people gathers to witness the places of Kutch. "Rann Utsav" means a happening Tent City with 300+ tents along with attached wash rooms, luxury beds, fully functional dinning area, meditation room, spa, club and many more will make you wonder whether you are at Tent City or some Luxurious Metropolis.

Few Pictures from Rann Festival

Apart from witnessing the Rann festival, you must explore the beautiful places surrounding this area. Places like Kala Dungar, Bhuj, Beautiful sunset in the desert, Sanctuary and many more you can visit in a short period of time.

Kala Dungar

Located at the 462 mt, it is the highest point in Kutch, Gujrat. Kala Dungar/Kalo Dungar or Black Hill is the only place in Kutch, from where you can get a beautiful panoramic view of The Great Rann of Kutch. It is located very near to the Pakistan border. There is also a 400 years old Dattaatreya Temple at the Kala Dungar. As this place is very near to the Pakistan border, that's why there is a army post at the top of it but, no one is allowed there except army personnel.

Sunset point at Kala Dungar

View from the Top of Kala Dungar

Temple in Kala Dungar

Chhatedi of Bhuj

Chhatedi is one of the historical place in Bhuj, Kutch. It is known for its architectural excellence. Though major part of this place was destroyed in the 2001 massive earthquake.

Chhatedi of Bhuj

There are few more beautiful places in Bhuj, which attracts tourists globally. Places like Narayan Sarovar, Hamirsar Lake, Prag Mahal, Mata no Madh are also attractions of Bhuj.

Aina Mahal of Bhuj

Tour operators arrange camel safaris in the Rann as it is included in their tour package. These outings are as long as those on a jeep. And the best time for camel safari is winter.

Camel Safari in The Great Rann of Kutch

We all know the universal truth that the sun rises in the east and sets in the west. As per as the geographic structures, to get the best view of sunrise, you must go to the mountains and to get the beautiful view of sunset, you must go to sea or desert. Located at the west most part of the India, Kutch is a place to witness the heavenly beauty of sunset under the great white desert. You can spend your evening time looking at the horizon while blue sky turning pale tint of orange.

Sunset in the White Desert