In the vast swamp of wasteland where not even a blade of grass would grow and inhabitation is a far cry, the state has struck “diamonds” by turning the region into a huge tourist attraction.
Gujarat has rediscovered itself in the Rann of Kutch. In the vast swamp of wasteland where not even a blade of grass would grow and inhabitation is a far cry, the state has struck “diamonds” by turning the region into a huge tourist attraction.
Lately, thousands of tourists have been flocking to the marshy land to enjoy the sight of the “white desert” on moonlit nights, as Rannotsav (festival of Rann) is organised at the onset of winter every year. After a three-km ride on camel carts, the tourists are conducted to the Rann, the edge of a vast sweep of thick salt layer that gives the semblance of a sprawling field of diamonds.
“On a moonlit night, the shimmering white layer on the desert looks mesmerising and it is simply an out-of-the world sight”, said Bhupinder Singh, who had come with his family from Delhi, for the second time. “The tourists’ response to the event has been so overwhelming that this year chief minister Narendra Modi wanted the festival to extend upto three months, which was otherwise organised just for three weeks last year”, said a senior official of the tourism department.
The month-long Rannotsava was inaugurated by the chief minister here last week and the next day the chief minister, escorted by senior BSF officials who guard the land close to the zero line, led the tourists on the marshy land where a cultural function was organised on the moonlit night. The gala has been organised on a mega scale this time, bigger and better than its earlier editions, said Vipul Mittra, principal secretary, Tourism, Gujarat.
Over 50,000 tourists from India and abroad were expected to visit the festival, he informed. Besides exposing tourists to the beauty of the marshy land, the festival, he said, is also a platform to showcase the culture and ethos of the region. It helped artisans in the region to display their art to the world outside.
No wonder residents of the nearby Dhordoh village, for whom handicraft has been the sole source of earning for generations, felt thrilled with the festival taking place at their door-step. Over 400 tents have been installed near the village, which is the last inhabitation before the marshy stretch of land begins.
“Earlier, there was hardly any way for us to find market for our products. But now every year for many days we have visitors from all over coming here to take a look at our work and even pay handsome price for that”, said the bright-eyed Deeman, who is third generation into the art of handicrafts. Over 150 families, which include large number of females as well, have been eking their living out by keeping the age-old Kutch tradition of handicrafts alive.
Besides the gallery of handicraft works from the region, the visitors would also have a host of attractions like camel-safari, hot air ballooning, desert car rally, horse ride, all-terrain vehicle and food court, besides the cultural programmes, depicting the culture of Kutch during the event.
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