Kutch

Capital of Kutch and a hub of handicrafts, where Aina Mahal and Prag Mahal recall its royal past; head north for the white salt desert under a full moon, or east to the Harappan city of Dholavira.

Bhuj is the headquarters of Kutch district in Gujarat, India. Kutch is bordered on three sides by the Arabian Sea and the Rann of Kutch; once an independent princely state, it still preserves rich tribal cultures and craft traditions. The 2001 earthquake badly damaged Bhuj's old city, but royal buildings such as Aina Mahal and Prag Mahal survive, and Smritivan, the earthquake memorial, has become a new landmark. Sightseeing falls into four areas: Bhuj itself (the palace quarter, Kutch Museum, Hamirsar Lake, the Swaminarayan Temple and Bhujia Hill); the northern route to the White Rann (via craft villages such as Hodka and Nirona, reaching Dhordo by late afternoon for sunset or the full moon over the salt flats, then up Kalo Dungar for the views); the southern route to Mandvi (Vijay Vilas Palace, the beach and traditional shipyards); and the western pilgrimage and border route (Mata no Madh, Lakhpat Fort, Narayan Sarovar and Koteshwar). With more time, head east to the World Heritage Site of Dholavira, a long drive away. In the nearby villages of Bhujodi and Ajrakhpur you can watch weaving and block printing. The best season is Nov–Feb, when the salt flats are completely dry and the Rann Utsav is held; Mar–Jun is scorching, and in the Jul–Sep monsoon the salt desert floods. Bhuj airport has flights to Mumbai, and trains run to Ahmedabad (about 6–7 hours). A permit is required to enter the White Rann; the sights are spread out, so hire a car and plan on 3–4 days.

Top sights

Where to eat

Itineraries