The Rann of Kutch in the state of Gujarat is home to the 'Rann Utsav' (Desert Festival), which is promoted by Gujarat’s Ministry of Tourism. The festival is arranged annually for a period of over three months, during the tourist season from the beginning of November till the end of February.
Every year, a makeshift tent city of nearly 400 tents is constructed with world-class amenities, especially for the desert festival. Thousands of tourists visit the Rann Utsav to experience breath-taking views of the white sands of the Rann & get to know more about the culture and traditions of Kutch.
Rann Utsav is a potpourri of food, games, music, dance & traditional art forms, not only from Kutch, but also from all over Gujarat.
The culture and hospitality of Kutch take centrestage at the Rann Utsav. A majority of the Kutchis are artisans and nomad cattle-herding tribes with a vibrant culture that is on display at the festival.
The Kutchi food is mostly vegetarian, which includes the local staples like roti made of bajra (dark millet), khichdi and locally sourced milk. Guests are traditionally offered ‘Chhaas’ (buttermilk) as a welcome drink. One can experience authentic Kutchi cuisine by having the thali meals at the venue or in the villages.
Kutchi folk music has strong influences from Sufism, Sindhi, Kathiyawadi and Vagad cultures. The Raas-Garba & Dandiya Raas are the prime dances in the region, along with a host of other dance forms like the tribal Siddhi Dhamal (Mashira Nrtiya), Talvaar Raas (Gadhvi Warrior Dance), Titado, Luvar, etc.
One can enjoy an extensive line-up of cultural music & dance presentations at the Rann Utsav.
Kutch has well-preserved traditions of textile, wooden & metal crafts, some of them which are handed over from generation to generation, since the times of Indus Valley civilization. Among the traditional textile crafts, block printing, Kutchi weaving, Kharad (camel & goat wool) weaving & Mashroo (cotton & silk) weaving are still practiced. Kutchi embroidery is particularly famous.
There are highly skilled Kutchi artisans practicing pottery, wooden carving, copper bell making, silver ornament making. The slowly vanishing art of leather craft also finds a place for patronage at the festival.
The traditional houses known as ‘Bhunga’ in the Kutchi villages are made of mud, which marvelously withstood the devastating earthquake 15 years back. During the Rann Utsav, one can stay in these villages, which are managed by the local Gram Panchayats.
At the festival, one can enjoy a host of activities like live musical shows, cultural dance performances along with interactive dances like the Garba & the Dandiya.
There is dedicated shopping area for traditional handicraft & textiles products. Also, there is a range of activities to get the adrenaline pumping like off-road terrain vehicles, paramotors, and hot-air balloons. There are bird-watching excursions during the day & star-gazing activities at night.
There are sightseeing tours to the Kala Dungar (Black Hill), the White Rann (Desert), the India-Pakistan Border (special permits required). In the case of a longer stay, one can do a day trip to Dholavira (ruins of the Indus Valley Civilization).
Don’t miss the ‘International Kite Festival in mid-January & full moon nights in the White Rann.
So have you packed your bags, yet?
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