RANN UTSAV
An amalgamation of nature’s marvel and cultural extravaganza
Rann Utsav celebrated in the Great Rann of Kutch region of Gujarat kick-started on November 12, 2020 and will end on February 28, 2021. The wholesome package of nature’s splendour, fun, entertainment, adventure, leisure, sightseeing, and the cultural connect is waiting to be explored.
The Great Rann of Kutch is known not only for its contrasting and awe-inspiring landscape but also for its four-month long desert festivity, the Rann Utsav. The festival glorifies the colourful culture and traditions, aesthetic art and crafts, and generous Kutchi hospitality of the region. Organised by Gujarat Tourism every year during winter, the desert plains of Rann of Kutch transforms into an oasis for domestic and foreign tourists. Rann Utsav, the carnival of music, dance and folklore, offers an excellent opportunity to tourists to indulge in leisure, pleasure, and merriment.
The Rann Utsav truly is a unique manifestation of the varied cultural ethos of the region which is known for the ethnic flavour and celebrative zest. The festival provides an exclusive opportunity to witness the creative ingenuity of the artisans and craftspeople, the assorted array of folk music and performances, mixed representation of culture and
communities, along a vast diversity in ecology. This Utsav under the tutelage of Vibrant Gujarat has been a unique opportunity for people around the world to visit Kutch and experience the true flavour of the region.
The expanse of the celebrations is grander than one can think. It begins in Bhuj, and the entire district goes gala during the celebrating months. The finale of the festival is put up at Rann Utsav tent city, a city made of more than 400 AC and non-AC tents. It is set up near a small village called Dhordo, easily accessible from the Bhuj Airport.
During the full moon night in the winters, amid the awe-inspiring and contrasting landscape, the three to four-day final festive extravaganza brims with hospitality, vigour, and traditional flavour of the area. This carnival organized at the various locales within Kutch takes one around the natural grandiose while introducing the visitor to the indigenous cultural and ethnic flavour of the people. The shimmering night landscape because of the moon gives the enchanting moments of this fest, which feels like ‘Heaven On Earth’ during these days.
Semi parched grasslands of the Banni hosts the most magnificent display of vernacular architecture as the exhibition platform for the varied range of arts and crafts of the region. While an array of folk music and dance performances organized in the shimmering moonlit landscape provides the most enchanting experience. The colourful fairs held near the beach or the banks of a lake swings one with the spirit of festivity, fervour and flamboyancy.
There are plenty of things to do during the Rann festival during the camp stay including participation in Golf Cart, ATV Ride, Camel Cart Excursion, Para-motoring, Meditation, Yoga and enjoying local Gujarati culture. One of the largest districts in India, Kutch offers a variety of attractions in addition to this famous festival. If a trip to Rann Utsav 2020-2021 is on the cards, there are plenty more to explore in Kutch. In fact, it’s a family holiday destination to explore fun moments and store
that in cameras for a lifetime.
Tourists can explore the Rann – the white serene desert expanse that lies along the India-Pak border. Considered to be the largest salt desert in the world, White Rann under the moonlight offers stunning creations of nature. The endless sea of salt shimmers like thousands of gems scattered on land when the moonlight merges into the white desert. The wonderful White Rann is a treat for all tourists looking to take a long walk during sunset hours and get mesmerised by the thousand hues of orange, or those who simply want to sit back to gaze at the neverending white stretch of salt desert embellished by the moonlit splendour.
Other than the moon, the rising and setting sun casting pale golden hues and making fiery shades of reds and oranges is an everyday view at Gujarat’s Rann of Kutch. This nature’s canvas is a wonder to witness. Birds abound at White Rann, lakes and grasslands, while endangered mammals like the wild ass, caracal, wolves and chinkara gazelle can be seen in the Rann and the Banni grasslands. In all, visiting the White Rann is an experience for the tourists to cherish for a lifetime.
From the Rann of Kutch, tourists can also visit nearby attractions like Kalo Dungar, Siyot Caves and Kutch Fossil Park. The palaces of Bhuj house incredible art treasures, and scores of fortified villages are worth-visiting for their heritage. There are also places like Mandvi, Narayan Sarovar, and Lakhpat to explore along with historical sites, Museums, Palaces, Forts and also the Little Rann of Kutch Wild Life Sanctuary (famous for Wild Ass). Around 290 km from Dhordo, is the archaeological site at Dholavira which offers an insight into the 5000-year old Indus Valley Civilisation.
The Tent City set up at Dhordo, will remain open for visitors till February 28. In this pandemic, the organisers have taken several measures to keep coronavirus infections at bay. New cleaning and disinfection procedures, with a higher focus on common spaces such as vehicles, reception area, dining hall, ‘haat’ area, adventure sports zone, among others have been taken care of. In view of the pandemic, the staff will have to wear face masks and protective gear and the authorities have made proper arrangements to ensure social distancing and regular sanitisation of the premises.
Rann Utsav is that one time of the year when natives of the region, domestic and international travellers along with Government administrative officers all together come along to celebrate the mystical magic of Kutch and its diversity. During the festival, Gujarat Tourism arranges various tours with transport, accommodations, food and guided sightseeing. Do not miss this chance of a lifetime to visit one of India’s most colourful regions.