Bhuj
Bhuj, the vibrant heart of Gujarat’s Kutch district, invites travellers to explore its rich cultural heritage and unique landscapes. Steeped in history, Bhuj boasts magnificent palaces, intricate temples, and bustling bazaars that reflect its royal past and artistic traditions.
The walled city of Bhuj was established and founded as the capital of the princely state of Kutch in the 1500s. After Independence in 1947, Kutch was unified with the rest of India and eventually became a district of Gujarat. Today, Bhuj is the district headquarters of the Kutch district, the largest district in the country, with a total area of 45,647 km sq.
The city’s proximity to the Great Rann of Kutch offers a chance to witness the breath taking white desert, especially during the Rann Utsav, a festival celebrating the region’s art, music, and dance. Bhuj serves as a perfect gateway to the wonders of Kutch, promising an unforgettable journey through time and tradition.
Where Tradition Meets Timeless Charm
Tours to Bhuj & Beyond
Things To Do
Exploring the Bhuj town
The Darbargadh or royal palace complex, lies at the heart of the old walled city. The complex comprises the original 16th-century Aaina Mahal – an enchanting structure featuring carved sandstone jharokhas on its exterior and a glittering mirrored interior, and the Italian-gothic Prag Mahal palace constructed in the 19th century, which includes a 45ft clock tower from which you can view the entire city of Bhuj.
Flanking the old wall boundary is the 28-acre Hamisar Lake, constructed to catch the flow of three rivers and fulfil the city’s needs as it was established. Hamisar attracts flocks of flamingos and pelicans as well as many town folks who come to gather at the water’s edge, but it relies heavily on the scarce monsoon rain; a good monsoon is the cause of grand celebrations.
Wander through the archway at the foot of Darbargadh’s palace complex and immediately enter Bhuj’s bustling market Shroff Bazar. Merchants offer vintage textiles such as embroidered patches and blankets, as well as antique furniture and trinkets. They jostle alongside modern electrical and goods stores, chai rooms and cloth houses that serve local and tourist needs.
Rising on the eastern outskirts of the town lies the Bhujia Hill, named after the snake god, Bhujang – the mythological protector of the land. Jadeja rulers fortified the hill in the 1700s as a defence post for their capital. Today, the fort is partially in ruins and reclaimed by the wilderness, but one can clamber up the steps to trail the wall and look out upon the town of Bhuj.
Ancient areological sites
Visit the ancient site of Dholavira which is located about 2.5 hours drive away from Bhuj on a small island that rises out of the vast salt flats of the Great Rann. It is one of the most prominent cities of the ancient Indus Valley Civilization, also known as the Harappan Civilization, and dates back to around 3000 BCE to 1500 BCE. Dholavira offers a fascinating glimpse into the advanced urban planning, architecture, and water management systems of one of the world’s oldest civilizations. The site features well-constructed structures, including large public buildings, residential areas, and unique circular houses. Numerous artifacts have been unearthed, including pottery, beads, seals, and inscriptions, providing valuable insights into the daily life, trade, and culture of the Harappan people. What makes the experience so unique is allowing your imagination to run wild while you stand on this ancient land – very often with it all to yourself – and marvel at the human ingenuity that took place 5000 years ago.
Founded in 1580, the quaint, coastal town of Mandvi was once an important and prosperous maritime trade centre. Originally fortified, the town was the summer retreat of the Maharao and home to some of the bravest and most entrepreneurial seafarers the world has seen. The moment you cross the bridge where the Rukmavati River meets the Gulf of Kutch, you are immediately struck by a number of huge, wooden ribcages strung along the water’s edge: Mandvi’s 400-year-old, handmade shipbuilding industry, a sight suspended in time. You are welcome to watch and admire these master craftsmen as they curve the wood into a water-tight vessel fit for life on the ocean. The private beach offers a peaceful opportunity to walk out along the white sands and take a dip in the Arabian Sea. If you visit outside of the weekend, you may find your only other company is a wandering dog.
Located on the edge of the Great Rann, is the ghost town of Lakhpat. Once a flourishing port of wealthy, powerful merchants and famous religious leaders passing through, it is now in ruins. The 1819 earthquake caused the Indus River to shift its course, leading to the instant demise of Lakhpat as a port. In one year, 50% of its people had moved away. Today, around 500 people remain within the impressive 7-kilometre-long fortress. A walk through this abandoned, fortified landscape, with its curious relics and the desolate Rann stretching into the horizon, conjures up mesmerising images and emotions. Prominent, half-standing houses vaguely line what would have once been a thriving bazaar. Wild desert scrub has begun to reclaim it all. The Sikh Gurudwara has been well preserved and is a must-visit, along with the exquisitely carved tomb of Pir Ghosh Mohammed.
Textiles
Textiles are – quite literally – the fabric of Kutchi culture – a basic unit of identity associated with dowry rituals, social hierarchy, and festivals. The interdependence between farmers and herders with dyers and weavers, as well as potters and leather workers, traces back to the Indus Valley civilisation some 5,000 years ago. Today, the work of various NGO groups has allowed this ancient culture to find new relevance and immense pride in the modern world. Below are the some form of textiles you can see in Bhuj.
Weaving: Cotton and wool are hand-spun, dyed, and woven into scarves, shawls, blankets, and carpets, often adorned with embroidery or mirrorwork. Bhujodi village is renowned for its weaving community.
Ajrakh Block-Printing: This ancient craft uses intricately carved wood blocks and natural dyes.
Bandhni: A tie-dye technique creating dotted patterns. Abundant in Bhuj’s Bazaar, artisans also explore shibori and clamping techniques.
Embroidery: Known for intricate stitches and mirrorwork, each style represents different tribal communities. The LLDC embroidery museum in Ajrakhpur is a must-visit.
Patchwork: Quilted blankets made from old fabric pieces, found in Banni villages. Senior ladies often create these pieces.
Batik: A smaller craft in Kutch, using wax-resist dyeing with carved wooden blocks. Mundra is the main center for batik, known for its ‘veined’ appearance.
Nature & Wildlife
If there had to be one iconic feature to exemplify this ancient landscape, it would be the vast expanse of shimmering white salt that is the Great Rann of Kutch. Stretching the entire width of Kutch, from the Arabian Sea in the west to its ‘Little’ counterpart in the east, the inhospitable Great Rann divides Kutch from neighbouring Pakistan. Views across the Great Rann are most easily enjoyed from Dhordo and Kalo Dungar – Kutch’s highest peak, while Khadir Island offers the most remote experience.
During monsoon, shallow, saucer-shaped depressions or ‘dhands’ in the Banni grassland fill with water, attracting thousands of migratory birds right through the winter until the water finally dries up. The Chhari Dhand is the largest and best-protected wetland in the Banni. Flamingos, painted storks, cranes, spoonbills and the endangered Grey Hypocolis are amongst the 250+ species that have been recorded here. The Banni itself is an arid ecosystem of salt-tolerant plants, thorny scrub and rocky outcrops which supports a rich biodiversity, immediately south of Great Rann. Caracal, desert fox, desert cat, chinkara, nilgai and jackal are found here, as well as monitors, spiny-tailed lizards and saw-scaled vipers. For centuries, pastoral tribes, such as the Maldhari, have roamed the Banni in their unending quest for fodder for their livestock. There is no scene more emblematic in the Banni than the sight of a moving camel train blurred in the orange mirage.
The highly-adapted, arid ecosystem of Narayan Sarovar is located at the westernmost tip of India. Comprised of thorn forest, seasonal wetlands and dry savannah, this chinkara sanctuary is home to a number of threatened species such as ratel (honey badger), pangolin, caracal and wolf, all three bustards: the Great Indian Bustard, Houbara Bustard & Lesser Florican as well as Black Partridge, and an abundance of rare flowering plants.
Comprising an area of approx 12000 acres, there are few privately-held pockets of wilderness of this size in India. Chadva Rakhaal was once the hunting estate of the Maharao, who, to date has passionately fought to maintain it as a wildlife conservancy. At its centre, a crocodile-filled lake feeds a century-old, enchanted walled garden with enormous ficus branches housing heronries and bat roosts. The surrounding ‘rakhaal’ epitomises Kutch’s Jurrasic landscape and is great for bird-watching and walking in complete tranquillity.
Kutch today experiences a hyper-arid climate, but a close look at the sedimentary deposits in the bedrock shows a very different, humid past. There is no better place to explore this landscape evolution than at the deep Khaadi river gorge, 4 km outside of Bhuj. Clamber down through the bedrock terraces at Khaadi Nadi and you will find large potholes, flutes, and smooth, weathered grooves and ridges, that suggest the high energy of water that flowed thousands of years ago. A tectonic fault line transverses this same point which adds to the dramatic impact of this geological asset.
Best time to visit
The ideal time to visit Bhuj is during the winter months, from October to March. This period offers pleasant weather, making it perfect for sightseeing and exploring the city’s rich cultural heritage and nearby attractions. And the lively atmosphere created by events such as the Rann Utsav, a cultural festival that showcases the best of Kutch’s art, music, and dance.
It is the hottest time of the year. However, you can experience Bhuj during the off-season from April to June, where you can enjoy fewer tourists and potentially lower accommodation rates. Despite the high temperatures, ranging from 30°C to 45°C, there are plenty of indoor attractions to explore, such as the Aina Mahal, Prag Mahal, and various museums. Early mornings and late evenings offer the best times for outdoor activities, while shopping for local crafts in air-conditioned markets can be a pleasant respite from the heat. With proper planning and precautions, including staying hydrated and wearing light clothing, you can still enjoy the unique cultural and historical experiences Bhuj has to offer.
Experience Bhuj from July to September during the monsoon season, when rain transform the arid landscape into a refreshing, green haven. With temperatures ranging from 25°C to 35°C, this period offers a cooler and more serene atmosphere, perfect for exploring attractions. The rain brings a unique charm to the region, making sites like the Great Rann of Kutch and Mandvi Beach even more picturesque. Carry an umbrella and enjoy a quieter, rejuvenated Bhuj during this off-peak season.
