The Magnificent Rann Festival: How To Go, Where To Stay, What To Do, and More

Synonymous with Kutch, this salt desert is a natural wonder that never ceases to amaze. A visit to Kutch is incomplete without a visit to the Rann. An enormous stretch packed with white salt, it glows in the changing light of the sun at dusk and dawn, and sunrises and sunsets at Rann are unlike anywhere else. The amber hues light up the sky and paint the land like a canvas. However, visiting Rann festival during a full moon can enhance your experience manifold. The entire desert transforms into an eerie land with moonlight reflecting off the surface of the white desert. It really is an unmatched experience.

Gandhi Nu Gam

There is more to Kutch than the Rann, though, and if you are here for the festival, you cannot go back without buying a few handicrafts from here. Gandhi Nu Gam is a village nearby that you can visit to look at the traditional arts and crafts of the area. From mirrored walls to copper utensils, from wooden crafts and intricately embroidered clothes, everything is available here. The interesting thing about Gandhi Nu Gam is that it was destroyed completely in the 2001 Bhuj earthquake, and has been rebuilt from scratch.

Kalo Dungar is the highest point in Kutch, at 462m. It is here where the horizon seems to come together with the white desert in the distance. It is one of the few non-coastal locations where you feel like you are at the edge of the earth, on the brink of incomprehensible vastness that fades off towards infinity. On a clear day, from the top most viewing point, you can see as far as Pakistan. For Rs. 10, there are people offering binoculars and showing you the India-Pakistan border post. Early morning or late afternoon visits are recommended.

Around 80km and an hour and a half away from the Rann of Kutch is the town of Bhuj. Bhuj came into the headlines after the 2001 earthquake, when almost the entire city was flattened to the ground. There are some buildings that survived the earthquake, such as Aina Mahl and Prag Mahal, which are must visits. Apart from these, you can visit Bhujodi, a modernised village with decorated huts – each of them housing a different handicraft from Kutch and other areas of Gujarat. This is a great place for some authentic handicraft shopping.

The sun-kissed sand and cool and breezy waters make Mandvi Beach a great destination. Watch the windmills and birds, take a short camel ride along the beach or simply walk on the soft sand with cool sea water brushing up against your feet.

Vijay Vilas Palace is an epitome of graceful curves built in the fusion architectural style of local Kutch, Rajasthan and Bengal. The palace is nestled in 450 acres of lush greenery, with a 2-km stretch of private beach. It was made with red sandstone in the Rajput style, with a main central dome and coloured glass windows. You could probably recognise the palace as it has been featured in a number of Bollywood films such as Lagaan and Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam.

Cuisine on offer

Though the cuisine of Gujarat's western region is similar to the entire state, there are still some distinct differences. However, at the Rann festival, you will get vegetarian spreads only, as the community and the area is predominantly vegetarian. Expect to eat local Gujarati delicacies such as dhokla, thepla, gathia, sev and many others. There are also some international options available such as pasta and baked vegetables.

The most popular choice is the Tent City that is erected every year from November to February. It has more than 350 tents and the accommodation comes with a fixed package that includes all meals, and sightseeing at popular spots such as Kalo Dungar, Aina Mahal and Bhujodi. There are three types of packages – one night, two days; two nights, three days and three nights, four days packages. There are three types of tents available in the tent city – Premium Tents, Deluxe AC Swiss Cottages and Non-AC Swiss Cottages. All come with en-suite bathrooms. Prices are different for November and February, and for December and January. You can check them out here. The prices include sightseeing around the tent city as well as visit to the salt desert.