Kutch Rann Utsav is an annual carnival and cultural extravaganza held in the month of December at different locations of Kutch in Gujarat. This annual carnival organised by the tourism Development board of Gujarat aims to promote tourism and showcase the traditional art forms and culture of Gujarat to the world and celebrates the diversity and uniqueness of the Kutch region. During this colourful festival Kutch is all decked up and wears a festive look.
Kutch Rann Utsav Date: When is Kutch Rann Utsav?
- Utsav begins in Bhuj on December 15 and continues till January 31.
Kutch is the largest district in the state of Gujarat and one of the most ecologically and ethnically diverse district. This barren region covered with desert and marshland is mostly inhabited by varied tribes. Rann of Kutch offers a perfect blend of art, crafts, music, dance, cultural traditions and natural sceneries. The Ran Utsav is a medium to introduce the indigenous cultural and ethnical flavour of the people to the visitors that has been passed down over several generations. The utsav is the best way to explore the culturally rich region.
People flock from far and wide to be part of the spectacle of indigenous fairs. It also attracts a strong presence of foreign tourists who accumulate here to celebrate full of life spirit of people of the Kutch.
Rann Kutch Utsav is held for three day during the full moon time in winters every year. The festival begins in the Bhuj city and goes around the district with a grand finale again being held at the preliminary destination.
Kutch or Rann Mahotsav gives the visitors an opportunity to witness the gifted artisans and craftspeople at work and experience the true flavour and rich culture of the region. Various folk music and dance performances by traditional dancers are organized after sundown in the moonlight cool winter nights. Watching these cultural programmes performed in the midst of the White Salt Desert spread over many miles is truly an enchanting experience. Music concerts and carnival processions are also organised during the festival. Visitors can enjoy the unique experience of living in tents, camel-back safari across the Rann and evening bonfires. Tourists can also relish the Kutch food which uses simple ingredients and little oil and is quite different from the Gujarati fare.
Tourists can also shop directly from NGO's craftspeople and village co-operatives. Kutch known for its colourful embroidery like sodha Rajput, Jat, soof, mutwa, rabari, and neran is a shopper’s delight. Ajrakh block prints, Batik and tie dye (bandhani), shawls and rugs in cotton, wool or camel hair in traditional patterns are also quiet famous. Pottery, Leather work, Mud & Silver Craft and Handloom Weaving & Lac items are also specialties of the region.
Tourists can also visit the region’s most famous historical monuments and sites of natural splendour. Sightseeing at Dhordo White desert , haji pir, Dholaveera, lakhpat, royal cenotaphs of Bhuj, the beaches and palaces of Mandvi, the holy lake of Narayan Sarovar and the craft villages of Banni, Kutch Desert Wildlife sanctuary, Mata no Madh etc. are some of the places which can the tourists can visit in and around Kutch.