26

travelogue

The Kutch

culture

Most of the places

you will stay in are

run by locals and they

will make sure you

have an authentic

experience. You get to

live in Bhungas, circular

houses made of mud,

with thatched roofs.

They are supposed to

be structurally stable

during earthquakes and

climate responsive. The

pure vegetarian food

is what the locals eat.

Kutchi cuisine consists

of roti, curd, butter milk,

dal, curry, vegetables,

papad, and kachumbar.

CHRISELLE BAYROSE

T

he Rann (‘Rann’ in Hindi means
‘desert’) of Kutch is located in
the Thar Desert in Gujarat, with
some parts in the Pakistani
province of Sindh. Kutch is the name
of the district in Gujarat where this
region is situated. It is the largest
district in India and draws travellers
from all over the world.

The landscape

The region is divided into two
distinct areas — the Great Rann
and the Little Rann — each offering
different experiences. The
Great Rann of Kutch is a
unique landscape. You see
nothing but white plains (the
salt pans) as far as the eye can
see. The climate is harsh, hot in
the day and cold at night.

It is best to visit the Great
Rann of Kutch during sunrise
and sunset, as it is the time
that you can experience the
impact of the vastness and
experience the endless white
expanse of the Rann. The sun
rises as if from the ground and
it is the only thing you can
focus on. No picture or video
can do it justice. Watching this
scene alone will make the trip
worth it.

The handicrafts

The Kutch region is a hotbed

of handmade products like

jewellery, home furnishing,

kurtas, etc. Their handicrafts

are known all over the world

and are a big part of the tourist

experience. The best part is

that you can go to the village

where they are made and shop

for the products. It’s a different

experience to buy from the

artisans directly. The villagers

are hospitable and many of them

The Great White Desert

Kutchi houses called Bhungas

The harsh desert sun

.

.

.