The Rann of Kutch, Gujarat’s unique region, is one of the world’s largest salt deserts. This remarkable place with its surreal landscapes is the delight of a photographer and has become popular as an offbeat travel destination in recent years. Read on to learn why you should visit the Rann during the Rann Utsav, the great Rann Festival held annually if you want to know the best time to visit the Rann of Kutch.
The Rann Utsav
In Gujarat, the Rann Utsav, one of the most unique cultural festivals in India is celebrated every winter. The Rann Festival proudly presents the various arts and crafts of Gujarat, its folk songs and dance, and the natural beauty of Rann. From October to the third week of February every year the Rann Festival takes place.
The Rann of Kutch is also known for its amazing natural beauty, as far as the eye can see, with miles of white salt flats. A full moon night is the month’s best time to take in the region’s splendors. A visit to nearby Dhordo or Hodka villages is also a must to get a glimpse of rural life. You can also travel over to the nearby Indo-Pak border. Various temples and museums are also worth a visit in the vicinity.
Reasons to visit Kutch during the Utsav Rann
1. Weather
During the winter months, from October to February, the Rann Utsav takes place. This is really the best time to visit Kutch when the weather is good and great for sightseeing.
2. Accommodation
During the Rann Utsav, if you visit the Rann of Kutch, you will have access to the best stay options very close to the White Salt Desert. These include locations such as the luxurious White Rann Hotel, offering air-conditioned tents and mud bhungas with all the required modern conveniences set up for the Rann Utsav in particular. The Rann Utsav is certainly the best time to visit the Rann of Kutch if you want greater comfort in your choice of accommodation!
3. Shopping
The Rann of Kutch is known for its colorful crafts and intricate work of art, and the Rann Festival is a celebration of all Kutchi’s works. It is therefore not surprising that Rann Utsav tourists have many possibilities to explore local handicraftsmen and artisans ‘ stalls and take the beautiful artwork as souvenirs.
4. Sightseeing
Rann Utsav packages come with many included and optional sightseeing tours to nearby places like Bhuj, Dhordo, Mandavi Beach, and Dholavira, etc. This makes it possible for the interested traveler to experience other places in Gujarat in the same trip apart from the Rann of Kutch.
5. Full Moon dates
During the Full Moon night, the White Rann looks particularly ethereal. During the Full Moon period, the best way to get a glimpse of the Rann is to plan your stay in the Rann Utsav during these days. Imagine looking out over a clear sea of sparkling white sand, under an entire moon bright as the sun! Some of the things in life are worth seeing in person.
6. Adventure
The Rann of Kutch remains largely unvisited for the rest of the year and is renowned for its animal and birdlife. But you can do a variety of specially organized activities during the Rann Utsav, including Paramotoring, parasailing, rides by the Segway, ATV riding, camel carts, etc.
How to reach The Great Rann of Kutch
The cheapest way to get to The Great Ran of Kutch from Ahmedabad is to take a train to Bhuj. Then there was a shared minibus from Bhuj to Hodka and from there a shared auto to Dhordo. Dhordo is about 86 km from Bhuj. And the Gujarat government is establishing it as a gateway to the Rann. Dhordo is on the salt desert’s edge Staying there or nearby Hodka (17 km from Dhordo) is more convenient. You can opt for a taxi from Bhuj to have a trouble-free visit to the Great Rann of Kutch.
Bhuj is the nearest airport and railway station to reach Rann of Kutch
Permits Require
Due to its proximity to the Pakistani border, the Rann of Kutch, Gujarat is a sensitive area. So you need a permit to visit there. You can get the same on the way to Bhirandiyara village checkpoint, which is about 50 kilometers from Bhuj. The cost per person is 100 rupees and 50 rupees per vehicle. You will have to submit your ID photocopy and show the originals. Also, you can also get the permit from the DSP office of Gujarat Police in Bhuj near Jubilee Ground (it’s closed on Sundays and every second and fourth Saturday). You will have to display the permit to access the salt desert at the BSF check post.
The best time to visit Rann is during the Utsav. But a visit to Kutch in November or March is a better option for those who want to skip the crowds. A few other’ not-to-miss’ spectacles at Rann are the sunset and the rise of the moon or a new moon night that brings different shades of color to the white sand to the beauty of the white desert. For anyone visiting Gujarat, the Rann of Kutch is definitely a must-visit place.
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