The Great Rann of Kutch is a salt marsh located in the Thar Desert in the Kutch District of Gujarat, India. It is about 7500 sq km ( 2900 sq miles) in area and is reputed to be one of the largest salt deserts in the world.
The Great Rann of Kutch, along with the Little Rann of Kutch and the Banni grasslands on its southern edge, is situated in the district of Kutch and comprises some 30,000 square kilometres (10,000 sq mi) between the Gulf of Kutch and the mouth of the Indus River in southern Pakistan. The marsh can be accessed from the village of Kharaghoda in Surendranagar District. The Great Rann of Kutch together with the Little Rann of Kutch is called Rann of Kutch
This area has been inhabited by the Kutchi people
In India's summer monsoon, the flat desert of salty clay and mudflats, which average 15 meters above sea level, fills with standing water. In very wet years, the wetland extends from the Gulf of Kutch on the west through to the Gulf of Cambay on the east.
The Luni River, which originates in Rajasthan, drains into the desert in the northeast corner of the Rann. Other rivers feeding into the marsh include the Rupen from the east and the West Banas River from the northeast. Nara Canal or Puran river which is a delta channel of Indus River empties during floods into Kori Creek located in the Great Rann of Kutch.
Climate
This is one of the hottest areas of India – with summer temperatures averaging and peaking at 49.5 °C. Winter temperatures reduce dramatically and can go below 0 °C (32 °F)
This is one of the hottest areas of India – with summer temperatures averaging and peaking at 49.5 °C. Winter temperatures reduce dramatically and can go below 0 °C (32 °F)
Rann Utsav
The Government of Gujarat has a yearly three month long celebration amid winter called the Rann Utsav where sightseers can see the different sights of the Rann. For 2017, the celebration of Rann began on 1 November 2017.
Rann Utsav allows guests not exclusively to encounter full moon on salt deserts yet in addition experience the neighborhood culture, cooking and neighborliness. Uncommonly fabricated neighborhood houses are likewise used to house vacationers to give them an essence of nearby tradition. Many experience clubs and travel clubs compose endeavors
Rann Utsav is not only the festive extravaganza but also the celebration of life that crams colors into the salt-encrusted desert plains. The soul-stirring splendour of nature, calm & serene surrounding, rich Kutchi culture, intricate handicrafts and outdoor activities make this desert carnival a perfect holiday destination. With traditional dance forms and musical moments, many thrilling activities like cultural act shows, camel safari, parasailing and dirt biking enhance different colors of the festivity.
Tent City
Event calendar for the next four years
1st November 2018 to 28th February 2019
1st November 2019 to 28th February 2020
1st November 2020 to 28th February 2021
1st November 2021 to 28th February 2022
The festival is visited and enjoyed by more than 8000 tourists from all over the world. This is one time when natives of the region and travelers along with Government administrative officers all together come along to celebrate the mystical magic of Kutch and its diversity.
How to reach Rann of Kutch:
The best way to reach Rann of Kutch is via Bhuj. Dhordo is the Gateway to the Rann. Nearest airport/railway station to Kutch is in the city of Bhuj, then hire a cab from Bhuj to reach Kutch.
