Bhuj

Bhuj is a city situated in the Kachchh district of Gujarat. It is a municipality town as well as the district headquarters of Kachchh. The city is famous for its Hindu temples, palaces and wooden pavilions. The houses of Bhuj are decorated with mud and mirrors on both the interiors and exteriors.

Bhuj is also home to the oldest museum of Gujarat. It is also distinguished for its handicraft and embroidery. The bandhani and batik textiles along with silk embroidery on leather are the specialities of the place. It is also known for its enamel work done on gold and silver jewellery, seashell toys, lacquered wood and metal bells.

The name of the city is derived from the name of the Bhujia Fortress, which is present at a nearby hill and provides a complete view of the city. The history of Bhuj belongs to the period of Naga Chieftain. Its history has experienced the social upcoming of the Indus Valley Civilization along with the exile period of Pandavas and political invasion of Alexander the Great.

A local ruler Maharoa Hamir founded this city in 1510. It was declared the capital in 1549 during the rule of Rao Khengarji I. During the British rule, the city was an independent part of the Princely States and after independence, it became a part of India.

The Kachchh Festival held in Bhuj depicts the cultural heritage of the city and is a major tourist attraction. The festival is celebrated from 29th February to 5th March every year. This festival is held during Shivaratri in honour of Lord Shiva. It includes a display of lyrical ballads to the accompaniment of full-throated music with songs of the desert.

The land of Bhuj also has many historic monuments and structures like the Aina Mahal, Kachchh Museum, Bhartiya Sanskruti Darshan, Prag Mahal, Kakkad Bhit Yaksha, and Swaminarayan Temple.

The Aina Mahal is the hall of mirrors and was built in the 18th century. The wall of this mahal is made of white marble, which are decorated with mirrors and gilded ornaments and the whole area is surrounded by a series of fountains. The Kachchh Museum, initially called the Fergusson Museum after Sir James Fergusson, its founder, is the oldest museum of Gujarat and was established in 1877.