Why The Great Rann of Kutch should be your Next Vacation
One of the most remarkable places to visit in Gujarat is none other than The Great Rann of Kutch. A trip to Gujarat is completely incomplete without visiting the Great Rann of Kutch. It consists of one of the world's largest salt deserts that measures about 10,000 square kilometers. The most interesting part of this Great Rann of Kutch is that this salt desert is underwater during monsoons. And for the rest of the eight months, it is stretched with the packed white salt all around. The beauty, serenity, and soothing atmosphere of the place will mesmerize you and will surely swipe all your stress and tension away. The white landscape all around gives a great snowy look and serves as one of the best treats to the visitors' eyes.
So, if you plan your trip to Gujarat, how can you miss this great wonder of nature, The Great Rann of Kutch, as it epitomizes India's vibrancy and incredibility? If you are willing to visit Great Rann of Kutch, don't you want to know more about Great Rann of Kutch? Of course, you do, and for that, you need to read and keep scrolling!
LOCATION OF GREAT RANN OF KUTCH
The beautiful desert of Great Rann of Kutch lies to the north of the tropic of Cancer, and the mark can be easily seen when you pass through it. It is the edge of the salt desert. The northern boundary of the Great Rann of Kutch forms the border between India and its most famous neighboring country Pakistan. The Great Rann of Kutch can be best reached via Bhuj, Dhordo. The place is about an hour and a half from Bhuj and is a corridor developed by the Gujarat Government as the gateway to the Great Rann of Kutch.
BEST TIME TO VISIT GREAT RANN OF KUTCH
The tourist season for the great Rann of Kutch lasts till March, and most of the nearby accommodation gets closed till the end of March and reopens after November. The Rann of Kutch usually begins to dry out in October. If you want to have fun and stay away from the crowd, you prefer to visit the Great Rann of Kutch at the end of March. You can also visit the Great Rann of Kutch in April and May but through a day trip from Bhuj. But this time, there is a scorching heat that may be an obstacle in your trip. Also, there is the unavailability of food, water and toilets, and other basic facilities for the tourists during these months. The best time to head out of the desert is in the early morning or evening. Also, don't forget to have a camel ride in the desert and, if possible, try it on a moonlit night. It will be like magical dreamland.
PERMITS FOR VISITING THE RANN OF KUTCH
Apart from being a beautiful and one of the best places to visit in Gujarat, Rann of Kutch requires a permit to visit the salt desert because of its sensitivity. The area is sensitive because of sharing the border with Pakistan. The permission to visit this desert can be taken from a way to the village known as Bhirandiyara, famous for its Mawa, a sweet prepared from milk. The checkpoint is about 55 kilometers from Bhuj. The cost per ticket for an adult is 100 Rs., for a child aged between six to twelve years is Rs. 50, for a motorbike it is Rs. 25, and for a car, it is again Rs.50. Please remember that you will need a photocopy of your ID proof with the original one to get the permit.
Moreover, the checkpoint generally opens till 11:00 am in the morning and remains closed in the off-season. However, now the government has enabled the option of getting the permit online to avoid further chaos. The permit needs to be presented in front of the officers at the entry of the salt desert.
RANN UTSAV
Talking about the great Rann of Kutch, how can we not talk about the grand Rann Utsav that reflects India's rich culture. This grand festival begins in November and ends at the end of February. The Rann Utsav appears like a festival with so many tourists flocking together to get a glimpse of this amazing Utsav. The whole area during the Rann Utsav gets covered with luxurious tents, handicrafts, and food stalls for the visitors. The Rann Utsav has a lot to cater to the needs of its visitors, from camel riding, ATV riding, and Para monitoring to rifle shooting, spa, kids' entertainment zone, and cultural activities. The festival is great fun and helps visitors connect with the roots of Gujarati tradition, culture, and rituals.
So, now, how excited are you to witness this amazing wonder of India?