Kutch is a fascinating land and no visit to Gujarat is complete without a sojourn to this peninsular district, Its remoteness has kept it a place apart for centuries. The people are very sturdy, business minded and seafaring. The state's biggest district and its most sparsely populated one is a sandy, barren area over half of which is desert and marshland. Like so many other regions of Gujarat, Kutch has its own distinctive character. It has a remarkably heterogeneous population belonging to 18 different tribes, each with its own language and culture.

The Kutch experience is not based on any single element. You can derive pleasure from even the smallest things such as the clothing and jewellery people wear. The things they make with their own hands for daily use ranging from their clothing to household utensils, their homes and their colourful customs etc. Kutch produces some of Gujarat's most exquisite crafts like embroidery, tie & die fabrics, enameled silverware and other handicrafts.

Rann of Kutch

Locally known as tikkar, the Rann of Kutch or the desert is made of vast featureless, endless, salty flats. Salinity, erratic rainfall and a perennial shortage of fodder, makes life pretty difficult here. The Kutchis, inhabiting this harsh, inhospitable terrain, have an immense capacity for tolerance and love. The entire little Rann Of Kutch known as the "Indian Wild Ass Sanctuary" is a featureless expanse of flat land- the sea bed dotted with islands known as " Baits" which form the core for the flora and fauna. It is the largest wild life sanctuary in India. It is a home to animals like Blue-Bull, Chinkara, Hedgehog, Wolf, Jackal, Fox, jungle and desert cats besides the rare and endangered Wild Ass not found anywhere else in the world. A large variety of birds, including the rare one like Houbara Bustard can be seen in and around the Rann.An interesting fact- Quilts are an essential part of a family's possession. In fact, the prosperity of a family is assessed by the amount of quilts it possesses!

Aina Mahal (Old Palace)

Maharao Lakhpatji's old palace, built in traditional Kutchi style, is in a small fortified courtyard in the old part of the city. It's a beautifully presented museum and is one of the highlights of a visit to Bhuj. The entrance to the palace houses the tourist office, and this is also the site of the Maharao Madansinhji Museum, which has a varied collection of paintings, photos and embroideries. There is a 14m long scroll depicting the Royal Procession of Maharao Shri Pragmalji Bahadur (1838-75).

The real attraction here, though, is the Hall of Mirrors, created by the master artisan Ram Singh Malam, under the patronage of his poet-ruler, Maharao Shri Lakhpatji around the middle of the 18th century. A blend of Indian and European artistry, the walls of the great hall area of white marble covered by mirrors separated by gilded ornaments, lighting being provided by elaborate candelabra, with shades of Venetian glass. Another remarkable feature is the pleasure pool, in the middle of which rises a square platform where the maharao composed his poems and gave encouragement to the classical arts of dancing girls, bards and musicians.

Located 215 kms. from Bhuj this is a very ancient place of pilgrimage, mentioned in the Puranas. The temple here is situated on a high plinth overlooking the sea. The view of the sunset is excellent from here. The brass Nandi of the temple is an exquisite piece of art.

Across the courtyard from the Aina Mahal is the new palace, an ornate Italianate marble and sandstone building which was constructed in the latter part of the 19th century. Parts of it are now used for government offices but the vast and amazingly kitsch Durbar Hall and the clock tower are open to the public.

This stunning mausoleum of one of the nawabs of Junagadh is resplendent with silver door and intricate architecture, including minarets encircled by spiraling stairways. The mausoleum is generally locked but you may be able to obtain the keys from the adjacent mosque.

One of the most sacred pilgrim centres of the Hindu religion, containing a temple complex is one of its five holy lakes. At the temple complex is an assimilation of many hindu divinities, and the architecture, ancient and awesome.

The last maharao died in the UK in 1991 and his palace to the east of the lake has been turned into a small museum. Set in spacious and beautifully tended gardens, the palace itself, built in 1867, is of very modest proportions, with just a drawing room downstairs and bedroom upstairs. On display are a number of the maharao's personal possessions.

Mandavi founded in 1581 AD has a fortification with 25 bastions. The place is a well-known center for the production of the country crafts. The Rukmavati bridge built in 1883 is the longest existing one of its kind. Mandvi is also well-known for its beautiful sea beach and the Vijayvills Palace built in 1935.

Kera

Kera finds a place on the tourist map mainly due to the 10th century Shiv temple. In its original form it must have been extremely beautiful as suggested by what little remains at present. It was damaged in the earthquake of 1819.

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