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‘Rann’ – it literally means desert. But when you’re in Gujarat’s Rann, especially during the ‘Rann Utsav’, you do not use the word ‘barrenness’ to describe what you see. ‘Rann Utsav’ usually kicks off when autumn is in its fag end, and it stretches till spring. It is the ideal time to visit the place.
Rann of Kutch had been on my bucket list for quite some time. Being a solo traveler (mostly), I do not have much of an excuse to keep travel plans hanging (except when I am chained like most working people). Want to do it? Why wait? No syncing of schedule with friends, partner or family.
So this February, I finally made it to the Gujarat destination that’s been wishlisted by many wanderers just like me. A hectic trip may have preceded the arrival. But once at the final stop, good food and a vibrant spectacle awaits.
Evening sky is alluring to say the least when the moon shines bright and compliments the vast expanse of the White Desert. It is one of the largest salt deserts in the world and nothing less than a nature’s marvel. Flooded by the Arabian Sea during monsoon, the Rann shines bright once the water retreats by October. Bordering Pakistan, the security – goes without saying – is tight. Permits are necessary for outsiders, which can be easily accessed online.
How to reach
Flight/ train till Ahmedabad. Cab or bus can be the preferred options to reach Bhuj (over 300 km from Ahmedabad) and the final stop is Dhordo village (over 80 km away). As expected, the last mile connectivity in a rural region is not that great. So it’s better to have your own means of transport or take a cab.
Lessons learnt:
I picked a place which was about 5 km from the White Desert. While 5 km seems manageable for a city dweller, public transport is still an issue. So either get your own vehicle, or a cab, or stay closer to the White Desert.
