The Rann of Kutch is a display of the region’s cultural variety in addition to its salt marshes and sand.The American essayist, poet, and philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson once said,
“The journey is always more important than the destination.” Little did I know that this quote would sum up my trip to the Rann of Kutch.
My flight from Ahmedabad to Bhuj was canceled, so I looked into other ways to get there, and an eight-hour road trip seemed like the best option.
He halted the vehicle along the route and gestured at a framed picture of a local deity that had a number of plastic bottles in front of it.
A site with piles of plastic was located directly adjacent to the “makeshift temple.” He clarified, “Water is the most precious thing one could offer the deity because Kutch is a desert and there is water scarcity.
” Even while I may not support the use of plastic, it helped me understand the importance of subcultures, which stayed with me the entire time.
I excitedly anticipated the next part of my journey in Rann Utsav in Dhordo hamlet with this concept in mind.
A cultural crash course
We arrived to the well-lit Rann Utsav – The Tent City, which is operated by the hospitality company Evoke Experiences in collaboration with Gujarat Tourism, after 8 p.m.
We were clearly exhausted after a lengthy car journey.
We were immediately energized by Tent City’s colorful layout, though, as the reception room was adorned with traditional Lipai paintings and included mirrors that resembled glittering stars.
We were driven to our opulent tents, which were dispersed over a sizable hamlet, in an electric buggy. The center of the 100-day Rann Utsav, which takes place in Dhordo village from November 11 to March 15, is this township.
The roughly 400 tents are furnished with all the conveniences of the contemporary world. Sand, solitud, and salt Even if the lodging is undoubtedly opulent, the beauty of the outside environment is what draws tourists here.
You are, after all, in the middle of the Great Rann of Kutch, where the sight of the white, saline sand is unimaginable! The bizarre scenery comes to life most vividly around sunrise and dusk.
You will see camels of all sizes, adorned with colorful textiles and beads, before you venture into the salt marshes.
Whether you want to shop for souvenirs or learn more about the crafts of Kutch, the artisans are more than happy to showcase their wares and share their knowledge. The place also offers a plethora of local food options.
I relished the Gujarati kadhi (it was on the sweeter side), ringan no oro (similar to baingan ka bharta) with bajra roti, and the generous fill of theplas and khandvi.
The cultural performances at Tent City are a real treat for the senses—from the dances of the Siddi community of Gujarat and Karnataka, with African roots, to shows featuring traditional instruments such as Nagara, Murli, Janjhra, Nagfani, Bhorrindo, and Damru.
