Kutch (Kachchh) district is virtually an island, bounded by the Arabian Sea to the west; the Gulf of Kutch, which separates it from the Kathiawar peninsula, to the south and southeast; and by the Rann of Kutch, a sprawling but seasonal wetland, to the north and east. In ages past, the Rann of Kutch was an extension of the Arabian Sea. A range of hills runs east-west, parallel to the Gulf of Kutch. It is recorded that a massive earthquake hit Kutch on June 16, 1819. This partially changed the course of a section of the river Indus and caused a surface depression that became an inland sea. The administrative headquarters of Kutch district is Bhuj.

Kutch is an erstwhile princely state of India. It is the largest district of the state of Gujarat and the second largest district in India covering an area of 45,612 sq kms. The land is virtually 'an island' resembling a tortoise "Katchua or Kachbo", surrounded by seawater. Kutch was also known as the kutchdweep or Kutchbet." The Great Rann of Kutch" which dominates a major portion of the district. The Great Rann of Kutch and the Little Rann of Kutch respectively-uninhabitable deserts which during the monsoon season (June to October) is often completely submerged by floods. It has a vast coastline of 352 kilometers with Arabian Sea.

Places of Interest

Bhuj: The picturesque town of Bhuj has a dramatic setting. Located rather low, it is basically an amphitheatre of hills dominated by the Bhuja Hill that rises to a height of 160 m at one end and is in itself a landmark being flat on top and surmounted by the fortifications of a hill fort. This strategically located fort obviously served the purpose of sighting enemies and alerting defense and an old wall surrounds the city which was also made for security reasons

Kandla: Kandala a major seaport of the country with its single point-mooring facilities, happens to be the only free trade zone of India.

Banni/Khavda: Desertlands of infinite dimensions, and in its midst, quaint little villages suspended in Time. Here you will come across master craft persons expositioning their traditional art, turning our master pieces everyday. Their ornaments, clothes, utensils, everything they use - will make you feel as if you have stepped into lifestyle museum.

Lakhapur: Visit to Lakhpat is an trip into history. In this ancient port-city, time has been standing still for ages. It is today deserted, desolate, uninhabited, and invokes powerful nostalgia and soulful affection. Among the ruins stand the Gurudwara (holy shrine of the Sikh religion), the 200 year old, gigantic tomb of Ghosh Mohammed Caba, and many other places with ancient stories to tell.

Kutch Utsav / Shivaratri Festival: Kutch Utsav ia a journey into history. One visits India's oldest traditional and cultural icons. For the children of urbania, an almost spiritual experience away from the stress, strife and claustrophobia of modern life.

Kutch Museum: The oldest in Gujarat and regarded as one of the best, this museum has an excellent collection. Founded in 1877 by Sir James Ferguson, who was Governor of Bombay under the British Raj, the museum was earlier referred to as the Ferguson Museum. The museum broadly contains, a picture gallery, an anthropological section, an archeological section, textiles, weapons, musical instruments, a shipping section, and even stuffed animals.

Aaina Mahal: Presenting a fascinating amalgam of Indian and Dutch styles of architecture. 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).

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.

The Little Rann of Kutch Wildlife Sanctuary: 93 kms from Ahmedabad and on an important route. It has salt plains, caused by flooding of the Rann by sea, river and rain water; punctuated by highlands called beyts, above the monsoon flood mark where scrub flora and grasslands offer a refuge to wildlife. This is one of the largest wildlife sanctuaries in India, spanning some 4950 sq ft in area, and comprising a range habitats from saline desert plains, arid grasslands, rocky and thorn scrub to lakes and marshes. This is the only home for the endangered Asiatic Wild Ass, which is the member of wild horse family.

Mata Nu Madh: The 1,200 years old temple with unique architectural expositions of dimensions and space.

Narayan Sarovar: One of the most sacred pilgrim centres of the Hindu religion, containing a temple complex is one of its five holy lakes. At the temple complex is an assimilation of many hindu divinities, and the architecture, ancient and awesome.

Koteshwar: An important pilgrim centre for the Hindu religion.

Anjar: Famed for the Jesal Toral Samadhi (Tomb) and the Bungalow of James Macmurdo, which is a veritable museum of Kutchhy art. Also, for the Ajaypal temple, the holy shrine of Pinjora Pir and other structures.

Bhadreshwar: One of the holiest pilgrim centres of Jain religion, here you will encounter some of the world's truly unique architectural marvels. The tour will also cover stepwell, Sol Thambhi Mosque, Jagdu Shah Palace, Lal Shabhar Mosque, Chokunda Mahadev Temple and Kera temple - a visit that will expose you to many religious traditions of India, congregated in one region.

Dhola Veera: It has started from 1967-68 and perhaps the most significant event of Indian Archaeology during the post independence period and as assessed by arehaeologists, Dholavira is among the five major cities of this culture. The other four being Mohenjo Daro, Harappa, Ganeriwala ( all in Pakistan ) and Rakhigarhi in Haryana. It is thus one of the two largest known Indus Culture settlements in India. Dholavira which presents a Harrappan city per excellence, measures about 600mt on the north-south axis and 775mt on the east - west. Inside the general fortification, there are three distinct complexes - an acropolice, a middle town and a lower town.

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.