Colors of Gujarat – Rann Utsav
Rann Utsav is a celebration
of life, festivities and culture of Kutch and Gujarat. It is a landmark
bestowing grace and elegance where the world gathers for more than 2 months. A
riot of color sprinkled on the barren lands, Rann Utsav offers visitors an excellent
opportunity to experience the diverse traditions and the generosity and
hospitality of Kutchi people.
The picturesque
“White Dessert” is waiting to welcome you. On a full moon night during Rann
Utsav, the region wakes to an endless cycle of dance, and where century old
traditions are revived in a celebration.
The colorful fairs
held near the beach or the banks of a lake swings one with the spirit of
festivity, fervor and flamboyancy while the organized tour around Kutch is an
ideal occasion to be part of the region and experience the zeal and uniqueness
of the people through a celebration of life!
First time visitors to the Kutch Rann
Utsav, are often startled by the beauty of Dhordo, the last village in Bhuj, on the way to the
festival. The place is thronged by migratory birds from the farthest corners of
the world, including Siberia, central Asia and Europe and is the ultimate
birdwatcher’s haven, coupled with the visage of the smooth white sands of the
desert. Also a spot for auto-mobile enthusiasts to test their rides, Dhordo sees a lot of action
from locals and tourists alike.
The Tent City
erected in Dhordo is where the action takes place.
The carnival of music,
dance, and cultural performances take foreground as days and nights pass in a
vivid flash of colors and sounds that are etched forever in any visitor’s
heart. On special days, like New Year’s Eve, Makar Sankranti (for the Kite Flying Festival),
Republic Day, Valentines’ Day, and in the concluding month, the Holi
celebrations are the key days to visit the festival.
Camel Safaris, Local art
and handicraft bazaar, a spa, meditation and yoga center, live music concerts
and folk dance shows and evenings, are the main activities that
keep the guests enthralled and actively engaged with the Kutch heritage. Some of the best bets to take away as
souvenirs are silver jewelry and artefacts, since Kutch artisans are known
for their silver craft work, seashell toys
that are unique to Kutch, beautiful wood carved furniture
and decorations, and exquisitely embroidered clothes in
traditional techniques like Suf, Khareek and Pako and painted ones like Ajakh,
Batik and Rogan are not only rare, but make for the most exclusive gifting
ideas ever.
History
A seasonal salt
marshland situated in the heart of the Thar Desert with Gujarat on one side and
Pakistan’s Sind province on the other, the district spans about 7,505.22 square
kilometers (2,897.78 sq. mi) and is one of the largest salt deserts in the
world. The Great Rann of Kutch, the Little Rann of Kutch and the Banni
grasslands at the southern fringe, makes up for some 30,000 square kilometers
of white lands, sweeping the Gulf of Kutch at one end, and the seat of the
great Indus Valley Civilization on the other, falling in southern Pakistan.
The name "Rann" comes from the Hindi word ran (रण) meaning "desert". The Hindi word is derived from Sanskrit/Vedic word iriṇa (इरिण) attested in the Rigveda and Mahabharata. As early as 325 BCE, Alexander the Great was aware of the area.
A cradle of
craftsmanship, Kutch is known for its exquisite variety of weaving, patchwork,
block-printing, bandhani, tie-and-dye, rogan-art and other ethnic styles of
embroidery, pottery, wood-carving, metal-crafts and shell-work. The variety
emerges from the enchanting terrain that provides a perfect backdrop to an
extra ordinary fair.
Perhaps because the landscape is so white and ochre, even
a hint of color adds a fascinating element to the rustic life of Rann.
The festival is starting from 01st
November 2016 to 31st March 2017.
Places to visit nearby include
1) Kalo Dungar
2) Gandhi Nu Gam
3) Swaminarayan Temple
4) Aina Mahal
5) Mandvi Beach
6) Vijay Vilas Palace
Book the Rann Utsav packages with us
to enjoy this festivity.
Call us on +91 8655556688 or mail us
on info@tripgyani.com/ ramana@tripgyani.com for special rates.
