About Kutch

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Popularly known as the walled city, Bhuj is a major town in the Kutch district of Gujarat. The city has a beautiful maze-like structure of historic buildings, temples, old palaces, gateways, and fascinating alleyways. Famous for the Kutchi handicrafts, Bhuj has become a key and attractive tourist destination in the state. Visiting Bhuj for the first time? Not sure of how to get here? Don’t worry, we got you covered. Below we discuss some of the ways to reach this amazing city.

Vande Mataram Memorial - 1 KM

Vande Mararamdaman Memorial is a visual representation of the journey of Indian freedom through the medium of life like technology in 4D.

Hiralaxmi Craft Park - 1 KM

Hiralaxmi craft park..Noble vision to promote, preserve and restore the crafts of kutch.

Shrujan - 1 KM

Shrujan (meaning Creativity in Sanskrit) is a not-for-profit organization working with craftswomen in Kutch to revitalize the ancient craft of hand embroidery.

Shrujan craftswomen create a range of beautiful hand embroidered items that are sold in our shops and through regular exhibitions all over India and abroad. Over the years, Shrujan’s work has expanded to include research into and documentation of the diverse embroideries of Kutch, and the communities that practise these embroideries; it is also involved in other outreach activities in different parts of Kutch.

LLDC - Living and Learning Design Centre - 8 KM

LLDC – Living and Learning Design Centre – is a craft museum and research centre with 3 galleries showcasing the handcrafts of Kutch and one section to get hands-on experience of the different crafts.

Prag Mahel - 9 KM

Prag Mahal is named after Rao Pragmalji II, who commissioned it and construction began in 1865. It was designed by Colonel Henry St Clair Wilkins in what the local tourist office describes as the Italian Gothic style, although it would be better described as a Romanesque architecture twist on the Indo-Saracenic Revival style, and many Italian artisans were involved in its construction. The palace artisans’ wages were paid in gold coins. Construction of the palace, which ultimately cost 3.1 million rupees, was completed in 1879 during the regency of Khengarji III (Pragmalji II’s son) following Pragmalji II’s death in 1875. The local Kutchi builder community (Mistris of Kutch) were also involved in construction of Prag Mahal along with Colonel Wilkins.

Aaina Mahal - 9 KM

The Aina Mahal is an 18th-century palace that is located next to the Prag Mahal in Darbargadh, Bhuj, Gujarat, India. The palace was built by Rao Lakhpatji of Cutch State around 1750. Lakhpatji’s master craftsman Ram Singh Malam designed the palace in the local style and decorated it in the European style with glass, mirrors and tiles. The palace had two floors; the first floor has the Audience Hall, the Pleasure Hall, the Hall of Mirrors and the State Apartments, and the second floor has the ante-chamber, Darbar (Court) Hall and Marriage Hall. The building has been converted into a museum which includes a “europeanerie” collection that includes clocks, wares, mechanical toys, paintings and pictures.

Shree Swaminarayan Temple - 9 KM

The temple is devoted to Swami Narayan who is believed to be an embodiment of Lord Vishnu. Idols of other Hindu Goddesses and Gods were also seen in the temple. The temple is built in the recent times, with marvellous modern architecture. The idols in the temple are mostly made with marble which gives it a more graceful and divine look. The temple is supervised by the Nar Narayan Dev Gadi of the Swaminarayan Sampraday, a part of Hinduism.

Mandvi Beach - 67 KM

Mandvi is one of the most popular beach destinations of Kutch and offers awesome view of the sea and the shoreline. The beach is clean and the tranquil, perfect for a weekend getaway. Check this famous beach as it is one of the most rated Kutch places to visit. And the most famous in the beach are Camel and horse rides on the shore.

Vijaya Vilas Palace - 75 KM

Earlier a summer palace of Jadejas, the Vijay Vilas palace has become a very popular tourist destination. You can take a stroll down the private beach near this palace or admire the beautiful work of architecture of the dome-shaped ceilings of this palace. Walking through the large hallways of this grand palace will make you feel like a royal too!

White Rann - Rann Utsav ( Nov to Feb) - 87 KM

Welcome to the world’s most perfect salt desert. Kutch diverse terrains can stun anyone because during the monsoon season the area remains covered with water and in winter the water evaporates leaving behind layers of salt. The dramatic landscapes of Kutch rise to full glory when the great Rann Utsav takes place during the winters. Rann Utsav is the time when the desert recedes, allowing itself to be tamed, to be made into a showpiece.

Kalo Dungar - 95 KM

Kalo Dungar is the highest point of Kutch and offers jaw dropping view of the entire region, especially the Rann and the Indo-Pak border. The highland is one of the most popular tourist places to visit in Kutch and can be accessed by buses or jeeps from Khavda. Hiking here is only recommended for professionals and experts. And don’t miss because The 400 year old temple of Dattatreya- three-headed incarnation of Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva.

Mata No Madh - 104 KM

Mata no Madh is a temple dedicated to Maa Ashapura and is located 138 kilometres from the city of Bhuj in Gujarat. Mata no Madh is an ancient temple dedicated to the Kuldevi of Jadeja and is situated to the west of Kakkadbhit. The original 1200-year-old temple was demolished twice due to earthquakes.The temple that stands strong today has been built by Sunderji Saudagar. This structure has been constructed with more grandeur and better dimensions.

Dholavira - 136 KM

UNESCO has included Dholavira of Kutch in the list of World Heritage Sites in 2021, giving Gujarat the opportunity to shine once again on the World Heritage Map. With the inclusion of Dholavira in the World Heritage Site, Gujarat has also got the pride of being a state with four World Heritage Sites.

Lakhpat Fort - 140 KM

The famous Lakhpat town in Gujarat has a huge remarkable fort wall guarding it and these are of the majestic Lakhpat Fort that attracts several visitors. While one may simply visit this town for all the famous tales associated with it, others like to witness this giant structure firsthand. Built in the 18th century, the 7 km fort walls speak for themselves when it comes to the grandeur of this last village of Indian border.

Narayan Sarovar - 168 KM

According to Hindu theology, there are five sacred lakes; collectively called Panch-Sarovar; Mansarovar, Bindu Sarovar, Narayan Sarovar, Pampa Sarovar and Pushkar Sarovar. They are also mentioned in Shrimad Bhagavata Purana. As per legends, one of the holy rivers of India, Sarasvati River had an out let in to sea near present-day Narayan Sarovar and waters of lake were filled with holy waters of River Saraswati, that is why this place was and is still considered as one of the five holy lakes by Hindus.