Attractions

Aina Mahal The heritage of Kutch art and culture is displayed in the Madansihji museum (Aina mahal) Bhuj. The last ruler of Kutch Maharao Madansinhji established the "Maharao of Kutch Aina Mahal Trust on 1st January, 1977. Aina Mahal means a mirror palace. It was created by the artists Ramsinh & Gaidhar Devshi in the period of Maharao Lakhpatji (1752-61). In 1757, Rao Lakhpatji visited the emperor Alamgir in Delhi. He was graced with the title of Mahi Maratib. He welcomed foreigners in his court. Fortune brought him a man named Ramsingh malam who specialized in Kutchi architecture, enamel work, jewellery, tile work and interior decoration.
The great master piece of Ramsingh is the Hall of Mirrors in the Aina Mahal. The walls are white marble covered with mirror which are separated by gilded ornaments. The hall is lit by elaborate pendant candelabra with shades of Venetian glass. The hall of mirrors is on the second floor of the Aina Mahal but Ramsingh devised ingenious pumps and siphons to raise up water to fill the pleasure pool and to operate fountains which cast spray in an intricate variety of patterns charming the eye and cooling the air.
The small state apartment, carpeted with exquisite Kutchi silk embroidery, its walls paneled high with the same priceless fabrics still contains Maharao Lakhpatji’s bed. The hall is filled with a miscellaneous collection of objects; a Dutch Clock, English and French celestial globes, some antique pictures, mechanical toys, glass and china. On the walls of the corridor are a variety of pictures, some European and many Indian. The Aina Mahal alone cost eight million kories and was only one of the many enterprises which the Maharao and Ramsingh undertook together.
The Kutch Museum The Kutch Museum at Bhuj initially formed part of the School of Art established by Maharao Khengarji on 1st July, 1877. It is the oldest museum of Gujrat. At the time of Maharao Khengarji’s marriage, an exhibition of 5897 items were exhibited and items worth Rs. 3300 were given to the Museum which necessitated the construction of a new building. Accordingly, on 14th November, 1884, the foundation stone for the present museum building was laid. The building consisting of 2 floors cost Rs. 32000. The museum is situated almost on the banks of the beautiful Hamirsar lake and just opposite the Nazar Baugh garden.
On the ground floor in the central room is displayed Airavat, an Indian elephant. In 1978 the Govt. of India issued a postal stamp showing Airavat. The museum has the largest collections of Kshatrap inscriptions. It also has a fine collection of Kutch silver, golden and enamelling work, textiles, wood work, coins, old utensils, arms and other archeological objects and a section on the communications of the district.
Bharatiya Sanskruti Darshan Mr Ramsinhji K Rathod a scholar of the folk art of Kutch and winner of many state Government awards has created an excellent museum in Bhuj which is called Bharatiya Sanskruti Darshan.
The museum epitomizes the rustic life styles of the Kutchi villager containing around 4500 exhibits. Also, there are more than 1500 rare books on art and culture. This museum has five major sections. In the Ethnological section, Sahitya Chitra, in the central hall can be found rare works of literature. In other sections are interesting artifacts such as leather embroidery, wood work, wood carvings, terra cotta, wall paintings, bead work, stone carvings, musical instruments, knives and swords and silver work.
Inside one of the huts is the intricately designed "Kothala" (the treasury). In olden times, ornaments money, and other valuables of the royalty were kept in the "Kothala".

There were many forts in Kutch. Today some are in ruins and some are still in good condition.

Kanthkot (P) : Population 2,246.

Kanthkot is an old fort about 5 km circularly situated on the top of an isolated rocky hill. This place was the capital of Kathis in 8th century and it was taken from them by the Chavdas. After the Chavdas, the Solankis came and after them the Vaghelas. Mod befriended Vaghela who not only gave Kanthkot but also his daughter in marriage to Mod’s son Sad. Sad lived in Kanthkot and made it his capital. Sad’s son Ful named the fort Kanthadurg.

Bhimdev sought shelter from Mahmud of Ghazni in 11th century at Kanthkot. In 1816 it surrendered to the British who razed it to the ground. On the hill are remains of three temples of which one is dedicated to the ascetic Kanthadnath, the second a Jain temple and the third a temple of the sun.

Roha Fort :

Roha fort is situated on the hillock of the same name, 50 km from Bhuj. It’s height is 500 feet from the ground level and 800 feet from the sea level. Roha was the leading Jagir of Kutch state and there were 52 villages under this Jagir. Rao Khengarji I (1510-1585) established Kutch and became a ruler of Kutch. His brother Sahebji set up Roha village and died after a battle with Raysinhji Zala of Halvad. After his death his successor Jiyaji built two big tanks on the Roha Hill. His son built a fort on Roha hill.
Thakore Kalapi was famous poet in Gujrat. He wrote romantic poems at Roha hill because atmosphere of Roha was peaceful and close to the nature with many peacocks and other birds which can be seen here even now. Roha is called Sumari Roha after the princesses of the Sumara state Umarkot in Sindh. Fleeing Allaudin Khilji the princesses sought asylum with Abda, who died fighting Allaudin. Consequently the princesses took Samadhi at Roha. The present Thakore of Roha, Thakore Virensinhji Saheb lives in Bhuj and would like to develop the Roha hill as a tourist point.

There were many forts in Kutch. Today some are in ruins and some are still in good condition.

Tera fort : Population 2,246.

Tera lies 85 km west of the town of Bhuj. Tera castle on the western edge of the state of Gujrat dominates the plains of Kutch from its position on the banks of Tretara (Three lakes) namely Chattasar, Sumerasar and Chatasar.

Tera Jagir consisted of 41 villages and was one of the largest Jagirs of Kutch state. There are Ramayan wall paintings in the Tera castle. There are elaborate carved and beautiful paintings on glass in the Jain temple. Bandhani (tie & dye), Block printing, mirror work, Jats embroidery are the main crafts of this town. There are many of wild life animals chinkara, Blue Bull, Wild Boar, Hyena, The Great Indian Bustard, Peacock, Black partridge, etc. A very famous Mahadev temple Pinglaswar is 35 km far from Tera.

Beraja Fort

FORTS IN KUTCH

Early 5000 years : Dholavira.
7th Century : Maniaro
8th Century : Patgadh
9th Century : Kanthkot
10th Century : Angorgadh, Boladigadh, Kerakot, Padhargadh.
17th Century : Alampannah, Bhuj, Mundra Fort, Dhoramnath, Rayan, Mandvi, Fort, Bhujia Fort.

18th Century : Lakhpat, Fateh gadh, Badargadh, Patri Fort, Tuna fort, Kothara fort, Sandhan fort, Suthar,Chundi fort, Pundi fort, Gajod, Kothara fort, Nandra fort, Narayan sarover, Naliaya fort, Chitrod fort, Kutch gadh, Bhachau fort, Mota Ashambia, Nagracha, Beraja.

19th Century : Tera, Bhadreswar, Than

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Gandhidham is the commercial capital of The Region and houses important financial institutions, corporate headquarters of many companies.

The city is also home to Timber Zone, Salt Industry, Transport, Special Economic Zone (KSEZ), Shipping Office, Industry.

Places of historical interest are Kandla Port, The Gandhidham Chamber Of Commerce and KPT Office.

Brief
Gandhidham was specially built for displaced persons after partition. It is a well-planned and prosperous city. Monument of Mahatma Gandhi and the other temples are a treat to the eyes. Khavada is famous for its handicrafts and the Flamingo colony can be approached from here. Bhadreshwar, nearby, is a famous Jain pilgrimage centre. The architecture of the temple is such that the presiding deity is visible from the ground floor as the first floor. Other local monuments include a step-well, a mosque and a palace. Kandla a major port, the only free trade zone of the country, is very close by.

History
The Maharaj of Kachchh, gave Gandhidham to the Sindhi refugees from Pakistan, on the condition, that they develop a major township, which was necessary to develop Kandla port, then an isolated creek. Being good businessmen and a hardworking race, the Sindhis agreed and Gandhidham is now a well-planned, prosperous city.

Culture
The Institute of Sindhology offers an insight into Sindhi literature and culture. With a view to harness the cosmopolitan culture of Gandhidham under one roof, the Shah Latif Art Centre, under the aegis of the Bharatmuni Trust was recently inaugurated. The centre aims to preserve and promote traditional arts like dance, drama, painting, music, sculpture, handicrafts etc.

Climate & Geogaphical Location
Gandhinagar has a moderate climate with pleasant mornings and evenings, especially in summer. While summers are very hot and dry and can shoot upto 45 degrees, in winter it drops down to as low as 2 degrees. Gandhinagar is located around 60 Km from Bhuj in the Saurashtra belt.

How to Reach
Gandhidham is well connected by rail, road and air. By air, the nearest airport is at Bhuj at 60 Km and is well connected to Mumbai. By rail, the nearest railhead is at Gandhidham and is well connected to different parts of the country. By road, State transport buses and private luxury coaches connect various centres of Gujarat. By sea, the nearest seaport is at Kandla at 16 Km.

Kutch - Gateway to Timeless existence

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. Kandla a major seaport of the country with its single point-mooring facilities, happens to be the only free trade zone of India. Kutch produces some of Gujarat's most exquisite crafts like embroidery, tie die fabrics, enamelled silverware and other handicrafts.

The great and little Rann of Kutch are the breeding ground of Flamingo, Pelican & Avocet and the home of the rare Indian wild ass which is now a protected species. When it comes to speed and stamina few acn match the wild ass. It is a marathon runner. If lucky you could see this sturdy beast gallop untiringly for hours, reaching a top speed of 70 km/h over short distances.

Kutch is also the largest district in Gujarat. The Great Rann of Kutch lies to the north and the Little Rann of Kutch to the south. In the west its shores are lapped by the Arabian sea and tidal marshes and creeks here from part of the Indus delta.

Places to Visit

Bhuj
The district headquarters is a town that is steeped in history. Bhuj houses The Aina Mahal (The 18th century royal palace) with its resplendent hall of mirrors, Pragmahal palace - an elegant italianate palace, The Shrad Baugh palace, The Royal cenotaphs Chattris, the Kutch Museum (the oldest museum in the state) Ethnology Museum and the Bharatiya Sanskruti Darshan Complex. Also close to Bhuj is Kera, the legendary capital of Lakha Phulani, the famous ruler Kutch.

Lakhpat
Lakhpat is situated 135km from Bhuj on the Kori creek. It is named after Rao Lakha but it could also have been named so because of the many Lakhpatis, millionaires residing there in the hey day of Lakhpat's glory. The Lakhpat fort houses many temples, dargahs, and and a gurudwara from which, as popular belief goes, Gurunanak made his Sojourn to Mecca.

Koteshwar & Narayan Sarovar Temples
Famous for their lake temples sacred to Hindus.

Bhadreshwar
Which nestles on the ruins of the ancient city of Bhadravati. In here is the famous Jain temple dating back to the tenth century.

Anjar
In Anjar is the famous Jesal Tarai Samadhi (Tomb of the Jesai and his wife Toral). & For Kutchi Dresses And Ajarakh Print.

Mandvi
With ancient harbour and the majestic Vijay Vilas palace is another place not be missed.

How to get there ?

Air
Kandla And Bhuj airport has regular domestic flights to Mumbai.

Rail
There are direct trains between Bhuj-Ahmedabad, Mumbai Pune, Bangaldre.

Road
Bhuj is also well connected by road with rest of the country It is connected by a state highway upto Bachau (85kms) and from Bachau to Ahmedabad by National Highway number 8A connecting Delhi and Mumbai.

Important Festivals of Kutch

Kutch Utsav

Kutch Carnival

Drang Fair
Held every year during February - March in Dhrang, 40kms from Bhuj at the Samadhi (tomb) of Mankan Dada who served the community with great dedication.

Ravechi no melo
Ravechi fair is held on every Bhadrapad end ie August - September in Rav village at Ravechi Mata's temple.

About Anjar

Kutch has a wealth of traditional crafts, not only in textiles, but also woodcarving, cast silver work, lacquer work, terracotta pottery. Houses are often decorated with designs made from mud, cow or camel dung, clay slip, and mirrors. The major textile techniques for which Kutch is famous are listed below:

Block printing

There are four main block printing techniques done in Kutch.

- Direct block printing is just that. The block is dipped into dye and printed directly onto the fabric.

    - Resist block printing is achieved when the block is dipped into a dye resist paste, usually tamarind seed paste and lime, then printed onto fabric which is then dyed and the resist paste is removed to reveal the undyed fabric underneath.
    - Complex patterns can be made with both direct and resist block printing using different blocks to build up layers of images and color . Ajrakh block printing is a special style of direct block printing for which Kutch is particularly famous. Traditional Ajrakh designs can be traced back several centuries to Persia (Iran). Real Ajrakh is done with natural indigo and madder dyes.
    - Discharge block printing is a chemical process whereby the fabric is first dyed with one color, then printed with another. It is rolled and steamed which causes the original dye to disperse under the block print, giving a two color design.
    - Batik block printing is a wax resist technique. The block is dipped into wax and printed onto fabric which is then dyed and the wax removed.

Tie Dye (Bandhini)

Tie dye in Kutch is extremely fine. Designs are carefully built up in a number of colors, starting with the lightest and working through to the darkest. Designs are usually lightly printed with block made up of small dots. The crafts man or woman will then tie tiny knots where the dots are shown. The parts of the design to be in the lightest color will remain knotted throughout the process, but as each new color is applied, some of the knots will be strategically untied allowing the color to penetrate.

Weaving

Shawls and rugs are woven in cotton, wool, and even camel hair. Traditional designs are a distinctive style with bands of simple geometric shapes such as stripes, diamonds, triangles, star shapes, and chevrons. Although Ikat weaving is not traditional to Kutch, one weaver has recently introduced this technique, in which the pattern is achieved by tying and dying either the warp or the weft before weaving. In Kutch, Ikat is a luxury item, always done in silk.

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Jesal - Toral Samadhi

Jasal-Toral fair held at Anjar on Shravan Vad 7&8 August.

In this fair thousands of people congregate here to honor the lovers.Jesal-Toral were a sainty couple in the middle ages who have become highly famous .Jesol was a hardened dacoit whom Toral a virtuous Kathi girl reformed and later married.After marriage they lived a pious life.The Samadhis of Jesal-Toral are in Anjar.