This district of Gujarat brings to mind a unique landscape with salty marshlands and no vegetation. Situated on the Gulf of Kutch, leading to the Arabian Sea, it is also known as the Rann of Kutch. The word Kutch or Kachchh, means tortoise in Sanskrit, and interestingly the shape of the region is rather like a tortoise. The word also means something that becomes alternately wet and dry, and it is true that the Rann of Kutch becomes submerged under water during the rains. Kutch is the second-largest district in India after Leh. The headquarters of the district are at Bhuj town.

Tourism activities here involve desert safaris by jeep, camel rides, shopping for the unique local handicrafts, and sighting the rare wild ass found in the Little Rann of Kutch sanctuary. The people of Kutch comprise of nomadic, semi-nomadic and artisan tribes who contribute to the rich folk art and culture of the region.

The embroidered garments with mirror-work and the camel wool shawls from here are extremely famous; as is the chunky silver jewellery and carved woodcraft. You could visit the villages around Bhuj as each of them makes a different type of handicraft. To visit some you may need permission from the Bhuj District Collector. Some of the villages are Dhamarka (block printing), Padhar and Dhaneti (embroidery work), Anjar (tie-and-dye and block print), and Dumaro (mirror-work).

The ancient Indus Valley Civilization flourished here at Dholavira, until it was abandoned due to climatic and geographical reasons. An excursion to the Dholavira ruins is an interesting outing for history lovers. In the medieval ages Kutch was ruled by the Jadeja Rajputs, and it later became a princely state under the protection of the British. After Independence it became part of Maharashtra and then Gujarat, once the latter state was carved out. The Indian government set up a large port at Kandla, to compensate for the loss of Karachi port which became part of neighboring Pakistan. Kutch suffered major losses during the earthquake of 2001.

Tourism Info:

Toran Rann Resort,

Mirzapur, Bhuj

Phone: 02832-224910