Kutch Rann Utsav

Rann Utsav is a festival of crafts, art, music, dance, food, and nature, and the people of Kutch are attended thousands of people every year. This annual festival celebrates the rich heritage of the ecologically and ethnically diverse land of Kutch district, Gujarat. Celebrated amid the white desert during winter, this carnival offers several adventure activities, tours and markets where one can discover the rich cultural cornucopia of the Kutchi people.

Origin, History and Significance of Rann Utsav
The Rann festival, an initiative of Gujarat Tourism, was founded in 2006 and inaugurated by the then Chief Minister and incumbent Prime Minister, Narendra Modi. The celebration commenced flourishing the tourism industry by attracting a global audience to Gujarat. The festivities take place every year during winter in the White Rann. Initially a three-day event, Rann Utsav has become a 100 days celebration due to popular demand.

The Rann of Kutch is one of the most extensive salt marshes in the world, located in the Thar Desert. It spans the border of India and Pakistan, mainly in the district of Kutch, Gujarat. The Government of Gujarat undertook the Rann festival celebrations, providing an opportunity for people globally to bask in the exquisiteness of the landscapes and Kutchi culture.

When is Rann Utsav Celebrated?
Rann Utsav, organised by the Tourism Department of Gujarat, takes place in winter, between October and February. The festival was initially celebrated for three days but has bloomed into a 3-month long carnival. The crisp air, moonlit sky and the white desert, lit in the moonlight, make this time the ideal for the conduct of the festivities.