RANN UTSAV

A Wonderland at The End Of The World

‘You are going to the Rann Utsav?’ is the envious query, and then the next comment is, ‘How lucky!’ This was the response all around when I set off for Bhuj city, from where the Rann of Kutch is a mere 80 km away. One of the most eagerly looked forward to festivals in India,

A visit to the Rann Utsav, held in Kutch, the state of Gujarat, is an exciting and unusual touristic experience. And, if you are checking in to the Rann Utsav Tent City by Evoke Experiences in Dhordo, Kutch, you have truly struck gold as far as touristic experiences go. The Rann Utsav is a vibrant desert festival that is held every year from November to February. This year the festival runs from November 20 to February 25. So special is this natural habitat that the Tent City boasts full occupancy for most of the duration of the festival.

The White Rann, as this region is known, is an unusual winter wonderland – it is a beautiful seasonal beach formed by sea salt from the backwaters of the Arabian Sea.

The water evaporates after the monsoon, leaving behind a crusty white salt beach that lasts until the end of the winter months. For this duration the beach is a silver sheet, especially on a full moon night, making it a magical land with thousands of silver stars in the clear desert sky above and the white sand below. The White Rann is spread over a huge expanse of 7,505 sq km and it is part of the Great Rann of Kutch bordering Pakistan’s Sind province. It is also the largest salt marsh in the world.

If you want to get a complete experience of the Raan Utsav and its wonders then a sojourn at the Tent City is your best bet. The Tent City, with its 400 ultra-luxury tents with the Darbari and Rajwadi suites and Swiss cottages, along with a well-curated itinerary offers a complete and immersive experience of the Kutch region and its culture. Guests at the Tent City are introduced to the local culture, food, nature, and wildlife. A shopping bazaar, art gallery, music, and dance performances every evening, camp bonfires, camel safaris, and star gazing are just some of the delightful activities lined up for visitors. The Tent City experience gives visitors multiple adventures— ranging from an exciting glamping experience to an immersive cultural extravaganza and a peek into the unique natural landscape of Kutch. I was also enchanted by sightings of the beautiful pink flamingos and the ancient ruins of Dholavira, a Harappan archaeological site of great significance. I was blown away by the ‘Road to Heaven Experience’— a stunning drive with mesmerising views, that cuts across the Rann of Kutch. There is more to enjoy at the festivities, as the thrills continue with bonfire nights with local music, rural tours, and a visit to the Kadiya Dhro, also known as the Grand Canyon of Gujarat.

This is a travel destination that believes in a holistic approach to tourism. The Rann Utsav Tent City celebrates local culture and showcases the natural habitat keeping sustainability and environmental goals in mind. It offers five-star accommodation without the need for permanent civil construction and adheres to the core principles of minimising environmental impact by preserving resources and fostering economic and social sustainability. Little wonder, that by the end of the trip I was more than convinced that ‘Kutch nahi dekha toh kuch nahi dekha’— meaning, ‘If you haven’t seen Kutch, you’ve seen nothing!’