Do you know India gets nearly 75% of its salt from the Rann of Kutch, one of the largest salt deserts in the world, covering about 25,000 sq km, Known for its white landscape, breathtaking sunsets, moonrises and ran utsav.
This region is so valuable that it triggered a dispute between India-Pakistan war in 1965.
Rann is located in India's largest district Kutch, Gujarat. The Rann is the part of Thar Desert. The Hindi word ‘Rann’ means ‘desert’ , a salty marsh that is sometimes wet and dry.
Historically, the area was submerged under the Arabian Sea. Old maps even show the Rann as part of the sea, due to heavy river flow.
In June 1819, a major earthquake caused two key changes: several Indus River tributaries changedtheir flow towards west creating a barrier called the Allah Bund, which blocked rivers from flowing into the Rann and diverted water toward Sindh. This created the barren salt desert seen today.
During the monsoon, the Rann floods for about four months. It becomes a haven for migratory birds. When water evaporates around October, salty wet land remains for the next eight months. During this period locals harvest some of the whitest salt in the world. This is also the time when the famous Rann Utsav takes place.
The history of the Rann of Kutch is as vast as its landscapes. It has been populated since the Bronze Age of Indus Valley Civilization in dholavira.
Description of the Rann without Banni is incomplete because evolution of Banni is linked with the Great Rann. Banni is one of the largest grassland in the country and has been supporting wide range wildlife. Rann is also known as flamingo city because it’s the only home to flamingo breeding all over India. Rann is homeland to wildlife sanctuaries, including flora and fauna.
A village called Dhordo is the last village in the western part of Banni, located at the edge of the White Desert and attracts a large number of tourists, especially in January. During winter the government organizes the famous Rannotsav, which further increases tourism. Just a few kilometers from Dhordo lies the spectacular White Desert of the Great Rann.
The visitors can visit the rann of kutch during a long three month festival from November to February called Rann utsav organized by gujrat tourism to showcase the raw beauty of gujrat’s culture.
A whole new tent city is made for the visitors. Rann Utsav has cultural programs such as the BSF camel show, adventure activities , many stalls, handicrafts, food, etc. as well as yoga and meditation. Rann Utsav gives visitors not only a chance to experience a full moon on salt deserts but also get a taste of the local culture, cuisine, and hospitality.
The Kite Festival of Kutch is a spectacular celebration of colour, culture, and craftsmanship that takes place every January during the Rann Utsav. Thousands of people attend the celebration, which features colourful kites flying over the vast white desert.
So don’t miss the chance to witness the heaven while living, grab your tickets and do visit !