Imagine you are under the stars, with the moonlight bleaching the sand beneath your feet. This is what awaits you at the Rann Utsav in Gujarat's Kutch district. This four-month-long festival is a celebration of nature, culture and the people of Kutch. The inception of this fiesta was small. Started by the Tourism Department of the state in 2005, the Rann Utsav was initially just a three-day affair, which has now become one of the country's biggest and longest-running festivals.
The Rann Utsav held in one of Gujarat's most ethnically diverse districts is an experience you need to be present for.
This festival celebrates the stunning salt desert of Kutch, lending it a dreamlike quality during winter nights. The vibrant atmosphere of the place is one of the first things that you will notice. In the beginning, the festival used to be much more rooted in local celebrations, with residents setting up food stalls and selling souvenirs. Now, it has blown into a much bigger event, with two government-certified partners, The Tent City and White Rann Resort, joining the Gujarat Government.
There are a lot of options that you can choose from. You can book hotels and Air BnBs in Bhuj. There are also a number of resorts that offer all-inclusive packages that take care of everything, from accommodations to transportation and activities and even the permit for the White Desert. Not opting for a package will mean that you will have to obtain a permit for the desert on your own.
Travellers can avail the option of staying in these resorts with the perfect blend of traditional offerings combined with luxury, cultural and adventure activities, as well as tailored itineraries made to fit the needs of individuals.
You can visit here for more information on bookings.
Traditional Gujarati houses of the Kutch region, known as bhungas with roofs made of cow-dung or clay, are used for accommodation by guests at the festival. There is folk music, food, and fun with an intimate connection to traditional roots that is ideal for travellers who enjoy immersing themselves into the local cultures of the place they travel to.
Every year, the Rann Utsav is held in the village in the tent city near Dhordo, a small hamlet in Gorewali.
Activities to do: Parasailing, camel cart ride, shopping, yoga, dirt biking.
The dates: October 26, 2023 to February 20, 2024.
Getting there: The nearest airport is the Bhuj Airport, from where you can hire a private taxi up to the Rann of Kutch. Transportation will be included in case you opt for a package.