{"id":4642,"date":"2016-12-12T09:12:23","date_gmt":"2016-12-12T09:12:23","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/asoulwindow.com\/?p=4642"},"modified":"2016-12-12T09:12:23","modified_gmt":"2016-12-12T09:12:23","slug":"rann-utsav-all-you-wanted-to-know-about-rann-of-kutch-plus-a-bonus-itinerary-and-excursion-ideas","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/asoulwindow.com\/rann-utsav-all-you-wanted-to-know-about-rann-of-kutch-plus-a-bonus-itinerary-and-excursion-ideas\/","title":{"rendered":"RANN UTSAV: ALL YOU WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT RANN OF KUTCH PLUS A BONUS ITINERARY AND EXCURSION IDEAS"},"content":{"rendered":"

Think unforgettable food, exceptional sunsets, unique geography, traditional handicraft, soulful music of the soil! Kutch has this and much more to offer. What\u2019s not to love! Plan a trip to this wonderland this Rann Utsav, a 3 month long extravaganza which celebrates all things Kutch!<\/em><\/p>\n

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My Friend Rohit Rai, sunset, Greater Rann Of Kutch<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Myriad geographies dot the landscape of India. One of the most outstanding locations is the White Rann of Kutch<\/strong> or GROK<\/strong> (Greater Rann Of Kutch). Those travelers who are bored of repeating the same beaches and hills on their vacations will appreciate this unique change of Indian geography. Come any time between December to February<\/strong> and treat your eyes with endless vast expanse of white giving a great backdrop for the annual Uttarayan aka kite festival<\/strong>. Many enthusiasts from across the globe flock here every year to flirt with the sky with their kites which are often dramatic, larger than life and quite colorful.<\/p>\n

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Have you ever walked on your food? Salt, that is!
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I boarded a 16 hour long train called Kutch express<\/strong> from Mumbai to Bhuj alongwith my office friends Vipul Sinha and Rohit Rai. What made the journey memorable were the people and the food I encountered en route. As soon as the train halted at Surat, I hopped off at the platform and retuned with pile of khaman dhoklas, fritters and theplas<\/strong> almost falling off my hand. I had little idea more food was waiting for me. An elderly man sitting opposite us fed us a sumptuous buffet of Gujarati food.<\/p>\n

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These touristy rides are popular. I raise my eyebrow, up my nose, grimace and chose to walk instead.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Before we got our first glimpse of Rann, we made a detour to Kalu Dunger<\/strong>. It is the highest point<\/strong> (approx 1515 feet\/462 metres) in Kutch. We waited patiently for a quirky ceremony<\/strong> conducted by the priests of 400 years old Dattatreya temple. On a round platform, away from human presence, the priests keep a mound of Prasad (holy food) which consists of cooked rice sweetened with jaggery. This 400 year old ceremony takes place every morning at 11 a.m. and just before dusk. In older days, the calls of \u2018Le Ang, Le Ang\u201d<\/strong> (Take my body) beckoned the jackals. These days, ringing of bells tell them about the food lying on the platform.<\/p>\n

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Food for jackals served by temple<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As per the folklore, Guru Dattatreya aka Pir of Pachchmai<\/strong> made a stop here as he walked the Earth. As he came across starving jackals, he offered his body for them to eat. Miraculously, his body parts regenerated as the jackals feasted.<\/p>\n

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Just inches away from Indira Bridge. Photography of Indira Bridge is not allowed.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Ignoring the touristy traps of camel riders, we headed impatiently to relish the view of the vast sea and Rann from the top, trying hard to ascertain the border of India and Pakistan.<\/strong> The multi hued (blue, brown, pink, white) landscape mesmerised us with its beauty and grandeur. The landscapes changes color on the whims of moving clouds and as the light above it changes.<\/p>\n

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Me soaking in the view from Kalu Dunger (Pic: Vipul Sinha)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

A border town junkie, I was fast losing my patience to reach one of the most unique India-Pakistan border<\/strong> and experience it up, close and personal. Indira Bridge<\/strong>, a mere dot when seen from Kalu Dunger, is a deserted land peopled only by army personnel. I was heartbroken when I was told that one needs permission from DM\u2019s office in Bhuj if one wants to view the Pakistan side. A flock of pigeons flew past me nonchalantly, seemingly, mocking my predicament. <\/strong><\/p>\n

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View from Kalu Dunger is breathtaking. I dare you to spot the India-Pakistan border!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

We took the baby bottom smooth road to Rann from here. The drive was pleasant thanks to the crisp February weather and an empty road. Large swathes of arid land, brown and barren, sandwiched the road. During monsoon, the landscape displays multiple personality disorder as the rain water floods the either sides of road. You are at the unique Banni grasslands!<\/strong><\/p>\n

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View from Kalu Dunger!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Just before the sun decided to commit suicide,<\/strong> I took baby steps on the overwhelming expanse of Rann, observing it minutely, trying to make a sense of the spectacle before my eyes. It is difficult to explain the feeling of walking on tons of tiny salt balls, crushing softly under my shoes. The unruly breeze carried the quintessential taste and smell of salt. In a distance, I noticed tourists who had strayed far in the white desert, dwarfed by the grandeur of the Rann. The air reverberated with the rustic music which the local folk artists made. Have you seen a more atmospheric venue in India for an al fresco concert? I have not!<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Sunset as seen from Greater Rann Of Kutch. It is great for photo ops. Tripods are an advantage here.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In no time, the glorious orange sun drowned beyond the Rann in a hurry. I dropped everything and gave all my attention to the grand show. The setting sun, casting an orange glow to the desert, gently swallowed by the desert, left me stoned.<\/p>\n

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Men dwarfed by the grandeur of GROK. Have you seen so much salt before?<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

We patiently waited as it was supposed to be a full moon night. After sometimes, it appeared poetically, changing its position and colors. We stood there, agape mouthed, watching a yellow moon turn into an ethereal white ball<\/strong>. The Rann was still white, now reflecting in the glory of borrowed moonlight.<\/p>\n

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Sun set as seen from GROK<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The scenes of a bunch of locals losing themselves as they perform an impromptu garba jig, seduced by the rustic music of folk singers on the erstwhile quite Rann (bathed in orange glow of a sun set) is something which I will not forget in a lifetime. <\/strong><\/p>\n

WHAT TO EAT: <\/strong><\/p>\n

As we left Bhuj for Rann of Kutch, our cab driver took us to a roadside cart where we filled our faces with sumptuous Gujarati breakfast. We binged on the \u2018Can-I-Have-One-More fafda<\/strong>\u2019, freshly fried with raw papaya chutney and crackling jalebis. We couldn\u2019t help but pack some more from the roadside cart.<\/p>\n

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Gujarati Food at Gateway to Rann Resort. I loved the white kadhi and daal khichdi.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Annapurna Guest House<\/strong> in Bhuj serves the best Gujrati Thali (their claim) in town. I was impressed when I sampled one. Make sure you go with an empty stomach; the portions are big. Ask for Undhiyo<\/strong>, a winter special.<\/p>\n

WHAT TO SHOP:<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Local handicrafts!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Many shops sell local handicrafts<\/strong>, embellished with rich embroidery<\/strong>, beads and mirror work. Also look out for wall hangings, keychains, dolls, decorative mirrors, bedsheets, toran, footwear, pathan suits, bandhni saree, jackets, the works!<\/p>\n

WHERE TO STAY: <\/strong><\/p>\n

Gateway to Rann Resort: <\/strong>Dhordho, the last Indian village.<\/p>\n

The resort is indeed a gateway to Rann Of Kutch<\/strong>. At a convenient distance of 4 kilometers from the White Rann Of Kutch and walking distance from Rann Utsav<\/strong>, it\u2019s the ideal resort to stay in Kutch during Rann Utsav. The urban traveler can experience living in a \u2018Bhunga\u2019<\/strong>, the traditional Kutchi mud houses, without compromising on comfort. The resort is equipped with all the modern facilities minus the unnecessary frills of a 5 star property.<\/p>\n