Royal Chhatardis

Kutch

Kutch is a vast salt marsh desert in India that is home to many significant sites that belong to the Indus Valley Civilization. Thousands of travelers come to India to visit Kutch and its vividness.

Brief History

About a 20-minute walk southwest of Hamirsar lake, through open areas that no longer seem like you're in the city, are the royal cenotaphs (memorials to those not actually buried there and, in this case, not buried at all but cremated). Many of the monuments are in ruins due to earthquakes, but those of Lakhpatji, Raydhanji II and Desarji are still quite intact. The site is very quiet, out in the middle of a field, not surrounded by buildings, and is very peaceful in the morning or evening, though in the middle of the day it can be quite hot under the bright sun.

How to Reach

By Road

For those traveling from Ahmedabad, the bus may be more convenient than the train, though slightly more expensive. Several private companies run sleeper buses (with a full horizontal bunk), leaving the city for Bhuj between 8pm and 11pm, arriving in Bhuj between 6am and 8am the next morning. These bus companies all have their offices around Paldi in Ahmedabad; Sahjanand Travels and Patel Travels are two recommended ones. There are also private sitting (non-sleeper) buses, and ST (State Transport) buses that make the trip for less money but considerably less comfortable seats. Once in Bhuj, ST buses go to larger destinations around the district, private jeeps can also be rented (a good option for larger parties), and some smaller places can only be reached by chhakdas.

By Train

Two daily express trains, the Bhuj Express and the Kutch Express, go from Bhuj to Ahmedabad (8 hrs) and on to Mumbai (16 hrs) However, both trains pass through Ahmedabad in the middle of the night, as the schedules are designed to depart and arrive and reasonable hours from Bhuj and Mumbai, not Ahmedabad.

By Air

The Bhuj airport lies 4 km from the city and has ample domestic flights from major destinations in India.

Top Attractions around Great Rann Of Kutch