The kutch region of Gujarat is sometime describe as "wild West". This immense stretch of largely barren and harsh desert landscape apparently spans more than 40,000 square kilometers, and is one of the country's largest district. It's name kutch (or kachChh ) refers to the fact that it alternates between wet (submerged during the monsoon session and dry)
The great rann located in the far north, borders Pakistan and, occupies part of thar desert which also extends into Rajasthan. Kutch was ruled by the jadeja dynasty of rajput, one of the oldest Hindu dynasties, for hundred of years until India become republic.
••About kutch
Such mixed migration led to the establishment of many different religious in the kutch region. Today Jainism is most promin one. However, what's interesting to note is that kutch remains surprisingly harmonious with its inhabitants coexisting peacefully, respecting each other's belief and often and often even participating in each other's events.
The impact of Earthquake
When migration came to kutch centuries years ago, the Indus river flowed through the region making the land fertile for farming and livestock. Tremendous earthquake in 1819 altered it's course though (and the region was again hit by devastating earthquake in 2001) . Now much of the land is flat and inhospitable. Filled with captivating nothingness.
Many villagers earn an income from arts that have been passed down from generation to generation, making this one of the main attraction of tourist. Yet its the simplicity and quietness of life there that's really striking and meaningful. Kutch is an amazing place to visit remote villages, learn from them, and get another perspective on life. Its inspiring and humbling.
•• Bhuj capital of kutch
Bhuj the capital city of kutch, is an excellent launching point for exploring the region.
Sadly, much of bhuj was destroyed by earthquake in 2001, however many of architectural treasures of city of jadeja rulers remain standing in the walled old city.This include rani mahal (the formar Royal reference), the Italian Gothic and European styled paragraph majal, (with its dumber hall and clock tower)and aina mahal (or ornate 350 years old palace containing Royal paintings, furniture, textiles and weapons).
Other attraction in bhuj include its many temples (the new swaminarayan temple is magnificent gleaming white marble masterpiece ), Meusium, markets and bazaars amd hamirsar lake (which is home to huge catfish)
•• Mandavi
The port town of mandvi, on the West Coast of kutch around an hour from bhuj , is worth visiting to see its fascinating 400 old shipbuilding yard.The building takes place along the banks of rukmavati river in town, near where the river marges into the Arabian sea. There you will be able to see ships in various stages of construction.
Mandi wasn't hit by the 2001 earthquake as badly as bhuj , so many of it's atmospheric old buildings are intact. They can be seen on a walk through the narrow lanes around the market area.And with a bit of imagination you will be transported back to the bygone era when the mandvi was summer retreat of the king of the kutch.
There was a white marble jain temple that oozes calm and serenity. It has an astonishing 72 shrines housing jain God. And most remarkable of alltheh temple is a relatively new one and it's possible to meet the man responsible for carving it and hear his stories.
•• Kutch villages
Gujrat's kutch region is renowned for its handicrafts, produced by the very talented artisans in its village.
Many of the famous arts, such as bandhani tie die and Ajrakh , block printing originated from Pakistan. Migrants brought this art with them when they come to kutch more than 350 years ago. The Muslim khatri community specialist in both these arts.
Kutch is one of the top places for handicraft tour in India.
Bhujodi and ajrakhpur are most frequented villages. Nirona around 50 kilometers northeast of bhuj can be visited as short detour on the way to the great rann of kutch. Also on the way to the great rann block printing and pottery is done in khavda village. Gandhinugram village features colorfully painted traditional mud and huts. Its situated in ludiya.
Hiralaxmi memorial craft park in bhujodi is government sponsored cultural Center and artisans
Markets. It made up of a series of huts where artisans are allowed to Axhibit and sell their handicrafts for a month at a time on a rotational basis. It's an Iressistable place for shopping.
At Bhujodi, you will find an expert mashru Weaver by the name of Babu bhai and his sweet family.
•• salt desert
Much of it is made of salt desert covering around 10,000 square kilometers and stretching close to the Pakistan border. It's particularly eerie and magical at sunset and especially under the stars on full moonlight.Making it even more Astonishing, the salt is submerged underwater during the main monsoon session in India.
The great rann is Inhabitades by various villages communities, many who have migrated from Pakistan. (Including many muslim sindhus) and the marvar region of western rajsthaan. It remained largely cutoff and unexplored until after the 2001 earthquake. When the government raised awareness about it and it's resources.
A breathtaking panoramic view of great rann of kutch can be had from atop kala dungar-black mountain. The rann's Westland know as charii fulay also attract numerous Migratory birds.
•• Little Rann of kutch
Theh barrel Desolated landscape of the little rann of kutch lies to the southeast ofthe great rann. The entrance is best approached from ahmedabad, 130 kilometers away rather than bhuj.
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