After celebrating Diwali this 2023 November, continue your festive fervor at the Kutch Rann Utsav in Gujarat, which is starting from 10 November 2023 to 25 February 2024. This unique festival will bill itself to showcase to tourists the best cultural and religious aspects of Gujarat. Folk dance, handicrafts, sightseeing, stargazing, and the camel safari on the white expanse of salt will be the highlight of Rann Utsav 2023 – 2024.
Quick Glimpse of Rann of Kutch and Rann Utsav
Gujarat’s Great Rann of Kutch – a magnificent salt desert extending to thousands of miles, is a natural splendor in itself. Believed to be bigger than the size of almost 30 individual countries, it assumes different forms with the change in seasons, marshy during monsoons, and brilliantly white during summers and winters.
However, this enormous salt desert is also famous for hosting the Kutch Rann Utsav, organized every year in Dhordo village. This festival offers a glimpse of the folk culture in Gujarat. This festival has something in store for everyone, whether it is exciting folk dances, camping amidst the desert on a perfect moonlit night, or witnessing live musical performances.
History of the Rann Utsav
The Rann Utsav Festival, which has been organized since 2006, was the vision of the Honorable Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi. The idea behind it was to provide the state of Gujarat with a distinct identity on the global tourism map, something that would attract tourists and give them something to talk about. Besides increasing foreign tourism in the state, the purpose of this festival was also to showcase the culture and traditions of Gujarat to the world. Rann Utsav is marked by several events that display the vibrant culture of the region.
Rann Utsav Festival Date And Venue
Kutch district in Gujarat is proudly known for Rann Utsav annually and so in 2023 – 2024 also! Whisk through the dates, venue, and how long this colorful festival invigorates tourists:
Rann Utsav Festival Date 2023 – 2024
Celebrated annually in association with the Tourism Department of Gujarat, Ran Mahotsav marks winter bliss. Climate-wise, the air is crisp, and the moon is at its fullest when the fervor of Rann Utsav is billed. This year’s Rann Utsav Festival date is from 10th November 2023 till 25th February 2024.
Venue of Rann Utsav 2023 – 2024
The Rann Utsav Tent City is the major playground for the Rann Utsav celebration. Still, the expanse of the observance of this cultural festival could be experienced in the Bhuj initially before the entire Kutch district goes gala. Inside the tented city, the authorities create stable ac and non-AC tents for tourists near the small village called ‘Dhordo.’
Duration for Rann Mohatsav 2023 – 2024
There are 108 days between the start and end of Rann Mahotsav 2023 – 2024.
Things to Do in Kutch Utsav 2023 – 2024 | Activities at Rann of Kutch Festival
The great Kutch Rann Utsav offers visitors a wide range of activities to choose from, thus ensuring that they are not just entertained, but enjoy every moment of their stay. From enjoying the local cuisines to shopping, from stargazing to enjoying adventurous sports, you can be sure that every moment of your stay promises to be both exciting and memorable.
Hold a conversation with the moon
Under a moonlight sky, the great white salt desert looks surreal. This is the time to step out of your tent and have a rendezvous with the moon.
Witness the cultural extravaganza on display
The Rann Utsav Gujarat attracts outstanding folk artists from all over the country. They enthrall the visitors to the festival with their splendid performances. Indeed, it’s a privilege to watch them perform.
Enjoy sightseeing, and then some adventure
Here, visitors also have excellent sightseeing options. Apart from stargazing, one could enjoy a camel ride in the desert, go for a solo ride in the desert on a DPV (desert patrol vehicle), or witness the exhilarating view of the festival from above through para-motoring. One can also enjoy a balloon ride, an experience that leaves you with wonderful memories.
Enjoy the lovely Mandvi Beach
Take a stroll on the quiet Mandvi Beach, or enjoy a camel ride on it! Either way, it’s an enjoyable experience.
Take home lovely souvenirs
Shopping at Rann Utsav Festival is a delightful experience, and offers a lot of options. From exotic handcrafted articles, splendid silverware, intricate Kutch embroidery, and wonderfully crafted ornaments, there is a lot to look out for.
Ride the Camel Safari on White Salts
A camel safari on the white expanse of salt during sunset hours is one of the best things to do at the Rann of Kutch Festival. This activity will allow you to watch the orange flakes of the sun hitting the crisp white salts and making them golden in color to embrace.
Go for Neighbouring Village Hopping Tours
The Kutchis are known to overwhelm tourists with warm hospitality. And what’s a better way to experience the notch hospitality than going to the village hopping tours? Hop the villages like Dhordo, Hodko, Bhirandiara, and Dhrobana.
Nosh on Kutch Cuisine
Many stalls are lined up at the Kutch Mahotsav annually, so this year will also be! Relish food comprises desi ghee and savors Bajra ki Roti, milk product items because these are the staple food of Kutch Mahotsav.
Allow Your Dopamine to Release Naturally
But how? Let them feel happy hormones go at their highest when you indulge in various adventure activities at the Rann of Kutch Mahotsav 2023 – 2024 like ATV ride, archery, table tennis, pool, paintball, rappelling, and even hot air ballooning and giant pendulum are the newest addition to entice visitors. Plus, indoor games like camel, and chess will also bowl you!
What are the facilities at the festival?
At the festival, the visitor is provided with numerous facilities. While some of these are geared towards entertainment, others ensure the best of comfort and relaxation to the visitors. The facilities available at the fair include:
- Club House
- Spa
- Conference & Meditation Hall
- Cafeteria
- Golf Cart
- Kids Zone
- Accommodation facilities at the festival
At the Rann Utsav Gujarat, the accommodation facilities ensure that the stay of the guests is an enjoyable and memorable one. The various accommodation facilities vary from Premium Tents, Deluxe AC tents, and Non-AC Tents. All of these staying options enjoy some common features like a front porch, attached bathroom, and wooden flooring. The Premium and Deluxe Tents, however, are equipped with facilities like AC and enjoy a greater living space.
[Check-out 3 Days Kutch Rann Utsav Package]
How to reach Kutch Rann Utsav?
- By Road: The drive from Bhuj to Dhordo will take you approximately 1 hour and 27 minutes. Bhuj is well connected to all the major cities of India.
- By Rail: The nearest railway station to Dhordo is Bhuj Railway Station, which lies at a distance of 1hr16mts.
- By Air: The nearest airport to Dhordo is Bhuj Airport, which lies at a distance of 1hr14mts.
Staying Options At Kutch Mahotsav 2023 – 2024: Best Places to Stay
The staying options at Kutch Mahotsav 2023 – 2024 are no different than in the past years. Visitors won’t find any hotels or resorts at Rann of Kutch. But the best places to stay at Rann Utsav are tents that are modern, sophisticated, and equipped with state-of-the-art facilities.
These tents will be set up in the Dhordo Village, located at the edge of the white salt desert, where tourists park their vehicles and take a stroll to reach the festive ground, which is around 7 kilometers (approx.). The tented city, Dhordo, is supposed to accommodate up to 350 tents to facilitate the visitors. One can also stay in Hodka Village also.
Tips For Visiting The Rann Of Kutch
- 3 nights and 4 days is a good time to explore the whole Kutch
- Since Rann of Kutch shares its borders with Pakistan, a permit is required for all
- Obtain a permit from Bhirandiyara village check post, around 55 km from Bhuj INR 100 (approx.) per person
- Permit cost is free for the age of child below 6 years
- Two-wheeler and four-wheeler permit is required also
- One can apply for an online permit
- It is better to withdraw cash from the Bhuj before leaving for Kutch
- Mobile connectivity might be a trouble for you since its strategic location is around the Pakistan border
- Stocking woolen clothes in Rann Utsav is a must since it falls in winter (November-February)
- Pack a first Aid-Kit along with extra power banks for mobile
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Vishwajit Sharma
A travel writer by profession possessing an avid interest in books, movies and music, Vishwajit Sharma believes that travelling is essentially discovering yourself. He hopes that, through his articles and write ups, the idea of travelling is aroused in everyone. Let the journey begin!
Kutch Rann Utsav is my next destination. Thank you for detailed info about the Utsav.