Kutch Tourism and Travel Guide:
About Kutch: Kutch is an erstwhile princely state of India. It is the largest district of the state of Gujarat and the second largest district in India covering an area of 45,612 sq kms. The land is virtually ‘an island’ resembling a tortoise “Katchua orKutch Kachbo”, surrounded by seawater. Kutch was also known as the kutchdweep or Kutchbet.” The Great
Rann of Kutch” which dominates a major portion of the district. The Great Rann of Kutch and the Little Rann of Kutch respectively-uninhabitable deserts which during the monsoon season (June to October) is often completely submerged by floods.
Climate of Kutch: Extreme climate & temperature ranges from 20 C in winter to 450 C in summer.
Rainfall is very less while average annual rainfall – 14 inches.
The three main seasons are:
(i) Summer, from February to June,
(ii) Monsoon season, from July to September,
(iii) Winter, from October to January.
How to Reach Kutch?
By Air: Bhuj, the main town of Kutch has daily flights from Bombay, which take about 40 minutes to reach.
By Rail: Kutch Express is available from Bombay via Ahmedabad upto Gandhidham. From here, one can reach this destination by road.
By Road: State transport buses are available from Ahmedabad.
Fairs & Festivals of Kutch:
The Kutch Mahotsav: The Kutch Mahotsav aptly called the ‘Mahotsav’ (great festival) is a guided tour of the life and times of Kutch, its beauty, nostalgia, ethos, traditions, culture and spirit. Kutch Mahotsav is usually organized during February and March Kutcheach year. The festival organized by the Tourism Corporation of Gujarat, is a six-day tour into the heartlands of Kutch.
The tour includes a visit to Bhuj at the heart of Kutch, Mata no Madh, an old temple dedicated to the mother goddess believed to be 1200 years old. Lakhpat, a deserted port transports you to a time when it was once the hub of Gujarat’s flourishing sea trade. The Mahotsav also takes you to Narayan Sarovar, one of the most sacred pilgrimage sites for orthodox Hindus, Koteshwar and Bhadreshwar, also important pilgrimage centres along the Mahotsav circuit.
Anjar, the beaches of Mandvi, Dhola Vira’s archaeological ruins and the rural fair at Dhrang completes a rich insight into Kutch, its colourful people, historic towns and remarkable handicrafts.
