Anyone in Kutch/Bhuj ?

ave23

I'm leaving to Ahmedabad in two weeks time and planning to go to Kutch. Is anyone in Bhuj or Kutch to tell me if the usual police permit which is needed to visit villages north of Bhuj can still be easily obtained ? Has anything changed due to the India-Pakistan tension ?
Thanks a lot,

ave

machadinha

I really really can't tell you. But I'd be really really surprised if it had (worsened). (That permit used to be -- arguably quite some time ago -- a mere formality btw. Which doesn't mean you shouldn't obtain one. The only thing I remember being possibly hasslesome about it at the time is you'll be dependent on the appropriate office to be open to do so. It was otherwise really no problem.

Some real close-border areas may just simply be inaccessible I guess, or at least they used to be so in Rajasthan. So that again is a no-brainer, you just won't get in.)

I've seen no indication whatsoever so far of increased border tensions or security or anything along those lines at all.

But... I'm nowhere near there, and I may well be wrong. Word here from Jaisalmer however and for instance has it there have been no noticeable effects there.

Many visitors here seem to expect some impending war, while I appreciate the concern, I have again so far seen nothing to indicate this.

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Jay_J

Hi Ave,

Welcome to IM and Gujarat

I gather the permission process has not changed much. Nothing about the Indo Pak tensions. The Govt just concluded the "Rannoutsav" where lot of tourists have visited these areas.

Should not be a problem. If you need any other info, do let me know. shall be glad to ask around.

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puneethbc

Hi,
I am travelling from Ahmedabad to Bhuj for 2 days. Could you please let me know the places to visit? Also I am taking a train from Ahmedabad, so should I get down in Bhuj or in Gandhidham? How should I go around in Kutch? Are there good transport facilities? Can I hire a bike or something? How far are the little and great Rann of Kutch?

Jay_J

Hi,

2 days would not be enough to cover even the major parts

If you have work in Bhuj, then get off the train at Bhuj itself.

For the crafts part, Bhuj would be the best place...

You can visit the tribal villages on the Rann, are really interesting.
Places like Hodka, Dhordo, Ludia and Khavda. Nearer Bhuj Dhori and Kotai are also interesting villages.

Dholavira - ancient harrapan site is also a day trip from Bhuj.

For carpets and crafts Bhujodi only 8 km east of Bhuj is the place.

Mata No Madh is a very famous temple and also happens to be close to the western most point of India.

You can stay one night in Mandvi. It has a beautiful beach and also the town is also famous for small ship building. It's also got a small palace types ( the haveli is where - Hum Dil De chuke sanam was shot).

Mundra not far from there is an old walled village.. where the mundra port is coming up. Also, you can visit Naana Layja beach, around 10km away from Mandavi... Nice beach and temple.

Good and reasonable Hotel acco and taxis can be managed in Bhuj and day trips planned for these.

The greater rann and small rann are in 2 diff directions. Kaladungar in the Greater Rann is a also a worth see place ( u have to ensure that you reach before the pooja)

Hope that helps...!!

puneethbc

"Kaladungar in the Greater Rann" which is the Little Rann? Also what are the main highlights of these two regions? Can I hire a bike and visit these two places? Do I need to have permit to visit these?

Thanks.

puneethbc

Hi,
How far is Dholavira from Bhuj? I enquired with a taxi driver and he said it would be 550km to and fro. Is it that far? From yahoo maps I get it as 131Km one way. Also how far are the salt plains from Dholavira?

Rgds,
Puneeth.

Jay_J

The greater rann is the greater rann and the little rann is the little rann

quite a big diff.... though... this should help... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rann_of_Kutch and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kutch

am not too sure of you getting a bike in Kutch on hire, you could get one from Ahmedabad.

Permits are not required for Indian citizens (afaik)

machadinha

Are we talking motorcycles or bicycles? Cycles are on hire in Bhuj no problem; come to think of it, I would expect motorbikes (and scooters and whatever) too.