Kutch Tourism

Kutch literally means something which intermittently becomes wet and dry. A large part of this district is known as the Rann of Kutch, which is a shallow wetland which submerges in water during the rainy season and becomes dry during other seasons. The world Kutch is also used for a tortoise in Sanskrit.

Tourist Attractions of Kutch

Headquarters of the district and the most important place in the area is the walled town of Bhuj, picturesquely placed between two streams. Bhuj was built by Rao Khengar I (1548-85). The city wall 10.5 mtrs high and forming a polygon, has 5 major gates and one small gate known as Chathi bari. Not much remains of the wall. Bhuj, set against the Palace of Mirrors, the Aina Mahal was built in 1761, under Maharao Lakhpatji, a great patron of art and culture. He deputed his protégé Ramsung Malam, a sailor turned master craftsman, to Holland to master the skills and commissioned him to construct the Aina Mahal, among many other splendid works. Decorated with resplendent chandeliers, fountains and doors inlaid with ivory and gold. The palace cost 8 million koris to built Entry fee is Rs 20. Location : Darbargadh, Bhuj.
BHUJ
Located within the precincts of the Aina Mahal, the impressive Prag Mahal was commissioned by Maharao Pragmalji II in 1865. On the 1st floor of this Italian Gothic masterpiece is the large Darbar hall ornate with carved columns and statues. The palace`s 45 meters tower stands tall over the Bhuj skyline and is an architectural marvel. Entry fee is Rs 20. Location : Situated next to the Aina Mahal, Bhuj.
Prag Mahal
Located behind the Ram Dhun temple, Ramkund is a square tank. The walls of the tank have intricately carved miniature, idols, depecting the ten incarnations of Vishnu, along with other deities of the Hindu pantheon. Location : Near the Kutch Museum, behind Ram Dhun Temple.
Ramkund
To the south of Hamirsar lake are the Chhatardis or cenotaphs of the Royal family. A memorial stone commemorates the spot where the body is cremated with a pavilion built around it. The Chhatardis of Lakpatji, Rayadhanji and Desarji are partially intact. The quiet and cool location of these monuments attracts a lot of people and is an excellent spot to enjoy sunrise and sunset.
Rao Lakhpats Chhatardi
The temple is one of the 6 temples built during the time of Swami Sahajanand, the founder of the Swaminarayan sect. intricate wooden carvings coated with vibrant colours characterize this temple. Location: Opposite City Police Station, Tirth Dham.
Swaninarayan Temple
The oldest museum of Gujarat founded by Maharao Khengarji II, it has the largest existing collection of Kshatrapa inscriptions dating back to the 1st century AD as well as examples of extinct Kutch script, and a collection of coins (koris-Kutchi currence). The museum exhibits also comprise of traditional textiles, metal, artifacts, pottery, woodwork, sculptures, archaeological objects and a variety of other embroideries, paintings, etc.
Kutch Museum
A passionate Forest Officer, Ramsinhji Rathod during his official sojourns to the remotes regions of Kutch collected Kutchi folk art & handicrarfts and an array of artifacts. The collection has grown into an institution and is dedicated to promotion and preservation of local crafts and culture. Entry fee for Indians is Rs 10 and Rs 50 for foreigners. Location: South along the College Raod at Old Umed Nagar.
Bharatiya Sanskriti Dardshan Museum
Bhujodi is the artisans cooperative settlement comprising approx 1200 inhabitants versed in traditional weaving. You can see live demonstrations and buy hand woven products such as woolen and cotton stoles, shawls, blankets, bed and table linen directly from the weavers. A number of self help groups, NGOs and Crafts Park have come up to facilitate the craftsmen to market their products nationally and internationally and fetch them good prices. Location: 8 km Southeast of Bhuj.
Bhujodi
Sharad Baug Palace remained the King`s residence until Madansingh, the last ruler of Kutch died in 1991. Upon his demise the palace became a museum. Surrounded by gardens of flowering and medicinal plants, it gives a glimpse into the past grandeur of Kutch. Entry fee is Rs10/-. Location: Opposite Khengarji Park, Bhuj.
Sharad Baug Palace
This place houses the Shiva Temple that dates to the era of the Solanki rulers. The inner sanctum as well as the main spire is the major attraction. It has some classic sculptures and simple but elegant stone grills. Also, the Fort of Kapilot is next to the temple. Location: 22 km south of Bhuj, on the road to Mandra.
Kera

Places to see around Kutch

Dholavira

Dholavira is an ancient site locally known as ‘Kotda Timba’. The site contains ruins of an ancient Indus Valley Civilisation/Harappan city, Situated in the northwest corner of Khadir is a large island surrounding on all sides by the Great Rann of Kutch. Dholavira in one of the two largest known Indus settlements in India. The site of Dholavira was discovered as recently as 1967. In its fully developed state the settlements had 3 pronounced parts, the Citadel, Middle town and Lower town. All these were interlinked with an elaborate system of fortifications. The site is spread over 250 acres. As a result of extensive excavations. Dholavira has emerged as a major Harappan city remarkable for its exquisite town planning, aesthetic architectures. Large number of antiquities such as seals, beads, gold, silver and terracotta ornaments, pottery and bronze vessels have been found. The site has a unique distinction of yielding an inscription often large-sized signs of Harappan script, indeed the oldest signboard of the world. The site also has a Dholavira Museum where you can peruse pictures and artifacts found from the excavations. Location: 250 km from Bhuj. Dholavira Museum Timimngs: 08.00 am to 07.00 pm, every day. Harappan Site Timings: 08.00 am to 07.00 pm in summers and 08.00 am to 06.00 pm in winters.

Mata No Madh

This shrine is of Ashapura Mata, the family diety – Kuldevi of Yaduvansh. She is also the family diety of the former Kutch rulers. The temple is steeped in antiquity as far as its origin is concerned. This temple was built by one Devchand Shah who was ordered In his dream to construct a temple and keep the temple doors closed for 6 months. At the end of 5 months, Devchand Shan heard some music from within the closed temple and in his curiosity opened the doors of the temple. The image of the diety was not complete, the legs were missing, however the Goddess was pleased with the devotion and blessed him.

Chari Dhand

The Chari Dhand wetland located on the edge of arid Banni grasslands and the marshy salt flats of the Rann of Kutch is legally protected or Reserve Forest. Chari means salt affected and Dhand means shallow wetland. It is spread over an area of 80 sq km, southwest of the city of Bhuj. It is home to nearly two lakh birds with migratory and endangered species of birds flocking into the area in thousands during the monsoon and in winter. Besides Flamingoes who descend here in thousands, common cranes, painted storks and spoonbills are among others that can be spotted here. Location: Around 80 km Northwest to Bhuj. Visiting hours: 07.00am to 06.30 pm every day.

Khavda-Kalo-Dundar

Khavda town is the handicrafts hub of Kutch where one can see excellent pottery, leather crafts. Akrakh block printing, embroidered handmade dolls and other amazing textile products. It has a mixed population of Meghwals (Hindus) and Muslims from Sindh. Khavda is also the departure point to visit the largest flamingo colony. Kalo Dungar or black hill is the highest point in Kutch at 462 meters and is 25 km from Khavda, the nearest town. Kalo Dundar is famous for the 400 year old Lord Dattatreya temple. A unique phenomenon at this temple is that Prasad is offered to the jackals who emerge from the rocky terrain in the afternoon and evening during aarti at the temple. This is probably the only place in Kutch from where the panoramic view of the Great Rann of Kutch is possible. On a clear day one can also see the India Bridge which is on the Indo-Pak border. Location: Khavda, 70 km from Bhuj, Kalo Dungar 97 km from Bhuj.

Lakhpat

Lakhpat literally means a place which earns revenue in lakhs. At one time, a very fertile land and a major port, it was totally destroyed during the earthquake of 1819, when the river Indus-Sindhu changed its course, but left a mineral wealth by way of Panandro mines. The fort walls form an irregular polygon. Of interest here is an octagonal black stone tomb of Ghouse Muhannad, half Hindu and half Muslim, in his customs, who was believed to have supernatural powers. Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, is believed to have camped in Lakhpat on his way to Mecca. Location: 140 km from Bhuj.

Koteshwar

Koteshwar is the ancient Shiva temple located at the western most tip of India, on the shores of the Arabian Sea and a tributary of the Sindhu river. This is one of the rare temples facing the west. It is said that you can hear a crow crowing in Karachi and at night see the lights in Karachi. Mention of Koteshwar is found in the Puranas and also in the Ramayana. Hiuen Tsang, the Chinese traveler has mentioned this temple. There was a port and a settlement of 5000 Buddhist monks as per his travelogues. Location: 145 km from Bhuj.

Mandvi

Mandvi was once a major port town of the region and a seafarer`s destination from ancient times. Mandvi attracted ships from as far as East Africa and Southeast Asia for trading precious stones and fine textiles. The city has a 400 year old ship building industry that still builds small ships. The town on the right bank of Rukmavati river and overlooking the Arabian sea, is being developed as a seaside resirt. The Vijay Vilas Palace on the Mandvi beach was the Summer retreat of Vijayrajji. Location: 60 km from Bhuj. Visiting hours: Across the day, every day.

Narayan Sarovar

A sacred place of Hindus, this is one to the five holy lakes of India viz, Mansarovar, Pushkar Sarovar, Bindu Sarovar and Pampa Sarovar. According to Hindu mythology, these lakes were formed due to the falling of droplets from the pot containing nectar (amrit) during the samudra manthan i.e. churning of the sea. Location: 145 km from Bhuj and 50 km from Lakhpat.

Kutch nahin dekha toh kuch nahin dekha

Among other numerous places the handicrafts pockets of Banni region, like Hodko, Dhordo, Ludiya, Dhamadka, Sumrasar, etc are worth exploring. Many NGOs like Shrujan and Kalaraksha have set up their base in these villages. Bhirandiyara on the way to Khavda is a town famous for the fresh mavoo or sweetened milk reduced to fudge like consistency and eaten fresh. Kutch has faced many natural disasters, the most destructive being the earthquake of 2001, which devastated lives and properties which were enveloped by the earth. While the impact of this tragedy was heart wrecking the Kutch spirit remains indomitable. Besides the places listed above, the following places would be of interest Gandhidham, Anhar, Mujdra, Kera Shiva temple. Bhadreshwar Jain Tirth, Fossil Park, Kandla Port which is the biggest free trade zone, Pingleshwar beach, the Wild Ass sanctuary in the little Rann of Kutch, etc. The Rann Utsav from December to February is a great draw and has put Kutch on the world tourist map. It is rightly said, Kutch nahin dekha toh kuch nahin dekha.