Published October 2026. Travel guide for visitors to Bhuj and Kutch.
Rann Utsav 2026-27: how to plan it from Bhuj
Rann Utsav, the Tent City festival at Dhordo, returns for the 2026-27 season. It opens on 1 November 2026 and runs until 7 March 2027. Bhuj is the main gateway, so most trips start and end here.
Dates worth knowing
Full-moon nights: 23 to 25 November, 22 to 24 December, 21 to 23 January and 19 to 21 February.
Diwali week, 8 to 14 November 2026, is also busy.
Full-moon, Diwali and year-end dates fill up first, so book rooms early.
Getting from Bhuj to Dhordo
Dhordo is roughly 80 to 90 km from Bhuj. Allow two to three hours each way by road. A taxi booked for the day is the simplest option, and Tent City guests can arrange transfers with their booking.
Permit for the White Rann
Visitors entering the White Rann at Dhordo need an entry permit from the official Gujarat online permit portal. Apply before you travel and carry a photo ID.
Our suggestion: arrive in Bhuj a day early, rest after the journey, and start for Dhordo in the morning so you reach the salt flats well before sunset. Dates and rules can change, so confirm on the official Rann Utsav website.
Published October 2026. Travel guide for visitors to Bhuj and Kutch.
One day in Bhuj: palaces, museum and lake
Bhuj packs a lot into a small area, so you can see its main sights in one unhurried day. Check opening days at each place before you go, as some close on certain weekdays.
Morning: the royal quarter
Start at Aina Mahal, the 18th century palace known for its mirrored hall. Walk next door to Prag Mahal, a 19th century Italian Gothic palace with a tall clock tower you can climb when open.
Midday: Kutch Museum
The Kutch Museum is among the oldest in Gujarat. Its galleries cover local textiles, coins, arms and the history of the region. It is a good place to understand the craft traditions you will meet later in the villages.
Afternoon: the lake and the temple
Walk around Hamirsar Lake in the middle of town. Then visit the Shree Swaminarayan Mandir. The original temple dates to 1822 and the rebuilt marble temple opened in 2010 after the 2001 earthquake.
Dress modestly for the temple and be ready to remove your footwear.
Published October 2026. Travel guide for visitors to Bhuj and Kutch.
Best time to visit Kutch and what to pack
Kutch is a dry, hot region for much of the year. The most comfortable months are November to February, which is also when Rann Utsav is on.
Winter, November to February
Days are pleasant and nights are cool, sometimes cold at the Rann. This is the best time for sightseeing, the White Rann and craft villages.
Summer, April to June
Temperatures climb high and the days are very hot. If you must travel then, plan visits for early morning and late afternoon and stay somewhere with air conditioning.
What to pack
Light cotton layers, plus a warm jacket or shawl for winter nights
A scarf or mask for dust, and sunglasses for the salt glare
Comfortable walking shoes that are easy to slip off at temples
Original photo ID, which is often needed for permits and check-in
Some cash for craft villages where cards may not work
Our rooms are air-conditioned and have ceiling fans, so you can rest well in any season.
Published October 2026. Travel guide for visitors to Bhuj and Kutch.
Craft villages near Bhuj: Bhujodi, Ajrakhpur and Nirona
Kutch is known across India for its crafts, and the best of them are made in villages a short drive from Bhuj. You can see artisans at work and buy directly from them.
Bhujodi, handloom weaving
Bhujodi is a weaving village roughly 8 km from Bhuj. Families here weave shawls, stoles and blankets on hand looms using wool and cotton.
Ajrakhpur, block printing
Ajrakhpur is a village known for ajrak, the deep indigo and madder red block printed cloth of Kutch. Visits show how the cloth is stamped, dyed and washed.
Nirona, rogan art and copper bells
Nirona is further out, roughly 40 km from Bhuj. It is known for rogan painting and for copper bells and lacquer work.
Tip: go in the morning when the workshops are active, ask before taking photos, and carry small notes for purchases. Distances are approximate, so ask your driver or us for directions.
