Kutch offers many more delights apart from the exhilarating Rann Utsav. You can head out in any direction and end up in a historically and culturally rich region. Here are five places you can head to from the Rann Utsav.
Mandvi Beach, 58 kilometres
For a day of fun on the beach, head to Mandvi, which offers numerous water sports and joyrides on the water. Situated at the estuary of river Rukmavati in the Gulf of Kutch, Mandvi was founded by the Jadeja dynasty of Kutch to settle the Kharva community, who were experts in crafting wood ships.
Bhuj, 85 kilometres
Situated between the Great Rann of Kutch, and the Gulf of Kutch, Bhuj is famous for the Smritivan Earthquake Memorial and Museum and the 18th-century Aina Mahal Palace Museum. The main city is a commercial centre for wheat, barley, cattle, cotton, and salt trading. The region is also the site for India&rsquos first large-scale experiment with solar pond technology.
Lakhpat Fort, 90 kilometres
About 33 kilometres north of Narayan Sarovar, at the mouth of the Kori creek of the Arabian Sea, is situated the more than 200-year-old Lakhpat fort. It is named after Rao Lakha, who ruled over Sindh in the 13th century. The town itself was an important trade port in the 18th century. The fort has a glorious past and has a 16th-century gurdwara, where it is believed that Guru Nanak stopped over twice during his second (1506&ndash1513), and fourth (1519&ndash1521) missionary journies. Inside the gurudwara are the wooden footwear, palanquin, manuscripts and other markings of two important heads of the Udasi sect.
Naryana Sarovar, 110 kilometres
It is believed that the Narayan Sarovar is a lake which has existed since the Puranic ages and that the god Vishnu created it in response to the prayers sent forth by people of this drought-affected region. It is considered to be one of the holy lakes in Hinduism. The adjoining temple was commissioned by the wife of the Jadeja dynasty Maharao Desalji, of Kutch.
Dholavira, 297 kilometres
The ancient ruins of Dholavira, from the Indus Valley Civilization/Harappa, and dates back 4,500 years became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2021. This increased Gujarat&rsquos tally of UNESCO sites to four. Dholavira, locally known as kotada or large fort, is spread across more than 100 hectares in the northwest corner of the island of Khadir. This is one of the islands in the Great Rann of Kutch that remains dry when the plains are flooded during monsoon. On your way here, through the Rann, you will see wildlife such as the chinkara gazelle, nilgai, and even flamingos.
The Information
All distances given above are approximations.
How to get to the Rann Utsav The Kutch region is well connected to the rest of the country by air, rail, and road transport.
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