There is absolutely no doubt that winter months are the best time for holidays. So, if you are planning for a winter vacation, that would take you far from the monotony of everyday life, then Rann of Kutch should be your choice. Situated in the Kutch district of Gujarat, the great Rann of Kutch is a crowd puller between the months of December to February. The white Rann of Kutch looks at its mesmerizing best during the winters. With a favourable weather and a cultural extravaganza on offer, there are plenty of reasons to visit Rann of Kutch this winter.
#1: Enjoy the Rann of Kutch Utsav (Festival)
One of the most awaited dessert carnivals in the world happens, in Kutch, during the winter months. And it goes by the name of Rann of Kutch Festival. Organized by Gujarat tourism, this is an extravaganza of culture, adventure, fun and beauty. The tourists get to stay in lavish tents in the middle of white Rann of Kutch.
Their stay is enriched with traditional cultural performances and camping pleasure. Tourists are taken out on camel safari across the vast salt desert. The adventure minded folks can enjoy parasailing, dirt biking or simply walking on the white sands. The Rann of Kutch Utsav also allows the visitors to engage in traditional arts and crafts making such as embroideries, henna tattoo art, tie-and-dye, pottery, block prints, metal crafts, and other rare arts. There is a lot of colour and thrill associated with this much anticipated winter.
- Rann of Kutch Utsav (Festival) dates: November 1, 2018 – February 20, 2019
#2: Taste the winter special recipes
Kutch is known for its food and hospitality. Anyone who has landed on this desert land will vouch for its hospitality. The people here believe in the tradition of treating every guest with warmth and grace. Kutch province also has a distinct culinary traditions of their own. And winters are the best season to taste some of the Kutch delicacies. Winters in Kutch brings with it many gastronomic delights. A winter platter in Kutch would contain some mouth-watering Kutchi delicacies such as Kutchi Dabeli, Kadak roti, Bajra roti, Khichdi with a glass of Chhas. A scrumptious Kutch meal always ends with dhana-betel-leaf-supari (sweet pan).
BOOK OUTSTATION CAB FOR KUTCH TRIP
#3: Shop for traditional clothes
Kutch is inhabited by many communities and each has its own identity, which is aptly reflected in their clothing. The women from Kutchi community wear clothes that are rich in designs. Mirrors and embroidery work forms an integral part of Kutchi Handicrafts. While women from another dominant community, Garacia Jat, wear only red or black chunis. Women from the third community of the region, Rabari, wear black open blouses or cholis with odhnis to cover head. During the winter months, tourists can readily find shops flaunting their collection of these traditional attires. Apart from this, shawls, Abha and Kanjari are other winter wears one can take back home as a souvenir from Kutch.
- Famous art villages of Kutch: Bhujodi, Dhamkada, Nirona and Bhachau
#4: Experience some surreal nights
Full Moon, at Rann of Kutch, on a chilly winter night is an experience of a lifetime. The milky white saline land meets the star studded winter sky. The heart of a poet oozes out to write poetry on the white sand and a romantic lover loves to enjoy bonfire with some folk music and dance performances. Such nights are meant for some time out in the open and beside the camp fire. The white sand, crisp air and bejeweled skies make the winter nights in Kutch something surreal.
- Upcoming Full Moon Nights: January 21 and February 19
#5: Wildlife and Bird Watching scopes
The flora and fauna of Kutch is unique in every sense and the winter months are the best seasons to enjoy these rare gifts of the region. Winters bring the greatest scopes of spotting the Wild Ass. The wetlands around great Rann of Kutch, during this time of the year, host many endangered species of birds such as great Indian bustards, the lesser Floricans and also the Houbara bustard.
One can find also find raptor birds like short-toed eagle, Aquila eagles, and six species of falcon, buzzards and three species of harrier in the wetlands of Kutch. Kutch will never disappoint a photographer, one can take plenty of memorable snaps of flamingos, duck and cranes with a scenic backdrop. During the months from October to March, Little Rann of Kutch hosts the largest gathering of migratory and rare birds.
- Best places for Bird spotting: Dasada and Nalsarovar bird sanctuary
So, when are you visiting Rann of Kutch? Hopefully we have given you plenty of reasons to plan a trip right away!
