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Kutch is famous for its handicrafts, hills, white deserts, beautiful virgin sea beaches, various forts and above all Dholaveera, one of the five largest Harappan sites and among the most prominent archaeological sites in India belonging to the Indus Valley Civilization.

Places To Visit In Kutch

Customized Packages
Place
Great Desert of Kutch
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Narayan Sarovar
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Koteshwar Mahadev Temple
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Mata No Madh(Ashapura Mata Temple)
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Mandvi
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Vijay Vilas Palace
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Kandla Port
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Dholavira
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Kutch Desert Wildlife Sanctuary
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Kalo Dungar (The Black Hills)
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Siyot Caves
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Anjar
Great Desert of Kutch
  • The Kutch desert has two parts, of which the Great Rann of Kutch desert makes up more than 7,000 square kilometres.
  • The Rann is filled with marshy salts that make it the white desert that it is and create an illusion of endlessness.
  • During the rainy season, the entire land gets filled with water, making it accessible only during non-monsoon months
  • The white sand is magical and a sight to behold. A rare piece of natural miracle, the Rann of Kutch is a place you cannot miss!
Narayan Sarovar
  • This is one of the holy lakes of Hinduism, along with Manasarovar in Tibet, Pampa in Karnataka, Bhuvaneshwar in Orissa and Pushkar in Rajasthan.
  • An adjoining temple built by the wife of Maharao Desalji features shrines of Shri Trikamraiji, Laxminarayan, Govardhannathji, Dwarkanath, Adinarayan, Ranchodraiji and Laxmiji.
  • A short drive from here, the Koteshwar Mahadev Temple is a grand sandstone structure that overlooks a marshy sea. Shrines dedicated to Shiva and Ganesha are the highlights here.
  • The origin of Narayan Sarovar dates back to the Puranas.
  • It is said that there was a drought in the region, and Lord Vishnu appeared in response to ardent prayers by sages. When he touched the land with his toe, a lake was immediately created, alleviating the locals from their misery.
  • The whole temple complex is surrounded by a fortified wall and house of village.
  • This temple is richly carved and ornamented in stone and wood and the doors are silver-plated. The idol is made of polished black marble.
Koteshwar Mahadev Temple
  • Koteshwar Shiva Temple is located in small village Koteshwar, near Narayana Sarovar in Kutch district, the last outpost of western India’s mainland and facing of Arabian Sea.
  • This is very ancient Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva and legends goes to Treta Yuga, Ramayana time with demon king Ravana.
  • It is believed that the original temple which was built ages ago had been destroyed.
  • The modern temple has been renovated expertly by the local kutchi artists making it a visual delight in 1820 by Jetha Shivji and Seth Sundarji.
  • It is also said that from the temple, the lights from Karachi in Pakistan can be viewed in a clear night.
  • It is also said that from the temple, the lights from Karachi in Pakistan can be viewed in a clear night.
  • Lots of devotee and tourist visits here in Shravan month and on Maha Shivratri.
Mata No Madh(Ashapura Mata Temple)
  • Maa Ashapura temple of Kutch is one of the most sacred shrine of Gujarat and specifically of Kutch from ancient time.
  • Thousands of devotee of Goddess visit here around the year and especially during the Navratri when many people reach here on feet.
  • As name of Goddess Ashapura mean the deity who fulfil all the wishes of devotee.
  • The Mahant or Raja observed fast during Navratri and arranged the Yagya at midnight of the seventh Saptami day.
  • On the next day the main ritual is performed by the Maharao or any other member of the former ruling family of Kutch.
  • Temple trust manages various facilities like accommodation, food and rituals for devotee.
  • Shri. Matana Madh Jagir Trust also manages the Gaushala and various education related activities.
  • This is how devotee and tourist must have to visit Mata No Madh, near Bhuj and Lakhpat of Kutch Gujarat and get blessings of goddess Ashapura Mata.
Mandvi
  • Once a famous port and now an important tourist attraction in Kutch, Mandvi is one such place where one can expect sea, sand and sun.
  • Mandvi is an old port town that has beaches, horse and camel rides along the shore.
  • The first landmark in the region was Sundarwar temple, followed by Jama Masjid in 1603, the Lakshminarayan Temple in 1607, the Kajivali Mosque in 1608 and the Rameshwar Temple in 1627.
  • Mandvi port was an important trading center until Mumbai came into the picture.
  • People who want to explore something unique can visit the bank of Rukmavati River.
  • where they can see handmade wooden ships, stand at the Tower of Wagers, where once wealthy shipowner used to gather, awaiting the return of the trading fleet from East Africa, and bet on whose would arrive first.
  • Little away from the Mandvi beach is the Vijay Vilas Palace, which is now a resort and is known for its fantastic architecture.
Vijay Vilas Palace
  • This weathered 1920s palace lies 7 km west of Mandvi, amid extensive orchards along a private beach. Originally a summer abode for the Kutch rulers, its first floor is now the main residence of the elderly Maharajah of Bhuj.
  • The view from the roof is impressive and the rooms, with their stuffed wildlife and faded grand furniture, are worth a peek.
  • The sandstone structure has extensive jali work, coloured glass, domed bastions and murals and the influence of the Kutch community of artisans and their unique style is evident.
  • The palace was built in the reign of Maharao Shri Khengarji III, who was the Maharao of Kutch. It was meant to be a summer resort for his son and heir to the kingdom, Yuvraj Shri Vijayaraji.
  • The palace is named ‘Vijaya Vilas Palace’ after him. The construction of palace started in year in 1920 and completed in 1929. Shri Vijayaraji died in 1948.
  • A chhatri (decorative tombstone) in his memory stands on the premises of the palace.
Kandla Port
  • Kandla port's started in 1931 with the development of a jetty by Maharao Khengarji. Progressively, this port in Gujarat turned into the number one port in India.
  • Kandla port was constructed in the 1950s as the main seaport to serve in western India, after the partition of Pakistan from India
  • The Port is located on the Gulf of Kutch on the northwestern coast of India some 256 nautical miles southeast of the Port of Karachi in Pakistan and over 430 nautical miles north-northwest of the Port of Mumbai (Bombay).
  • The Kandla port, which now renamed as the Deendayal Port Trust is a seaport in the Kutch District of Gujarat state in western India, near the city of Gandhidham.
  • Located on the Gulf of Kutch, it is one of the major ports on the west coast.
  • Kandla port is the largest port of India by volume of cargo it handles.
Dholavira
  • Dholavira is an archaeological site at Khadirbet in Bhachau Taluka of Kachchh District, in the state of Gujarat in western India.
  • This village is 165 km (103 mi) from Radhanpur. Also known locally as Kotada timba, the site contains ruins of an ancient Indus Valley Civilization/Harappan city.
  • Dholavira’s location is on the Tropic of Cancer. It is one of the five largest Harappan sites and most prominent archaeological sites in India belonging to the Indus Valley Civilization.
  • It is also considered as having been the grandest of cities of its time. It is located on Khadir bet island in the Kachchh Desert Wildlife Sanctuary in the Great Rann of Kachchh.
  • The 47 ha (120 acres) quadrangular city lay between two seasonal streams, the Mansar in the north and Manhar in the south.
  • Finally, Dholavira has one of the world’s earliest water conservation systems ever excavated.
  • Satellite pictures show a reservoir underground, an expertly constructed rainwater harvesting system extending from the walls of the city, without which the settlement would not have thrived in the sparse rainfall of the desert
Kutch Desert Wildlife Sanctuary
  • Situated in the Great Rann of Kutch, it is one of the famous places of wildlife in Gujarat, and among the popular places to visit.
  • Kutch Desert Wildlife Sanctuary was established in February 1986.
  • Covering an area of about 7505 sq. km, this is the largest Wildlife Sanctuary in India area wise and one of the largest seasonal saline wetlands of Gujarat having an average water depth between 0.5 to 1.5 meters.
  • But, after October-November, water dries up and the entire area turns into a saline desert where thousands of Flamingoes nest and breed.
  • The sanctuary has four hilly and rocky islands ('bets') such as Pachchham, Khadir, Bela, and Chorar along with Kalo Dungar and Goro Dungar hills.
  • The world-famous 'Flamingo City' is located in the mudflats of the Rann, at a distance of around 10 km from the Nir outpost on Kalo Dungar.
  • Many timid and harmless spiny-tailed lizards, with their typical hide and run activity, are found in abundance in this sanctuary.
  • Chinkara, fox, hyena, and nilgai are also in abundance and there are some occasional sightings of caracal also.
  • Amongst birds, Greater flamingo, Lesser flamingo, the Great Indian Bustard, Spoonbill, White Pelican, Pintail, White-backed vulture, Black vultures, Black-necked storks, Cormorant, Indian cormorant, Brahmini duck, Shoveller, Pochard, Sandpiper, Gulls, Terns, Stints, Painted sand grouse, and Raptor, etc. are found in the sanctuary.
  • The northern boundary of this sanctuary forms the international border between India and Pakistan and is heavily patrolled by the Border Security Force in India with much of this sanctuary being closed to civilians after the India Bridge at Kalo Dungar (Black Hill), Khavda.
Kalo Dungar (The Black Hills)
  • North of the village of Khavda, Kalo Dungar (Black Hill) marks Kutch’s highest point (462 m), with remarkable views of the Great Rann salt flat (or inland sea if you’re visiting during the monsoon).
  • The hill is also famous for a 400-year old temple dedicated to Lord Dattatreya.
  • You walk to the edge of the hill and look over at the sprawling blanched landscape that changes hues as the day progresses and the sun sinks behind the mountains.
  • A 15-min drive from the base of the hill lands you on the India bridge that connects the far north of Kutch to the mainland.
  • The area comes under the jurisdiction of the army and photography is not allowed. The Indo-Pak border lies about 40 km north from here.
  • Legends say that Lord Dattatreya stopped to rest here and found a group of starving jackals.
  • He offered them his body to eat and as they ate, his body continually regenerated itself.
  • For the last four centuries, the priests at the temple prepare cooked rice for jackals who come in the late evenings for a meal.
Siyot Caves
  • Siyot caves are the ancient rock cut caves located near Siyot village in Kutch district of Gujarat. Also referred as Kateshwar Buddhist Caves.
  • Dated around the first century AD, the Siyot Caves are a group of five rock-cut caves.
  • The main cave has east facing sanctum, ambulatory and space divisions which suggests a Shiva temple from the first or second century.
  • The cave was used by Buddhists later which can be concluded based on the seals found herein and the traces of Brahmi inscriptions.
  • Local people believes that these caves were used by dacoits to hide things looted from people in past.
  • These caves are an important site to visit for those interested in inscriptions and architecture of the ancient time.
  • The sculptures here are the center of attraction for the tourists.
  • The excavation in 1988-89 recovered clay seals engraved with Buddha images in various mudras and seals engraved with late Brahmi and Devnagari inscriptions.
  • Other findings were copper rings, Gadhaiya coins, terracotta Nandi with bell and chain, different types of earthen wares like Surahi.
  • There is a primitive step well located nearby. One can also visit Kateshwar Mahadev Temple close by
Anjar
  • Anjar is a town and municipality in Kutch District, Gujarat. With over 1,400 years of history, it is known as the oldest town in Kutch.
  • Anjar is a town and municipality in Kutch District, Gujarat. With over 1,400 years of history, it is known as the oldest town in Kutch.
  • It has also been a centre for trade and commerce in Kutch for eons, being a target of invasion in medieval times and during the British colonisation.
  • There are many ancient temples & shrines in Anjar including the Madhavrai Temple, Mohanrai Temple and Amba Mata's Shrine, the most famous of them all being the Jesal Toral Samadhi.
  • It is said to be founded around 640 AD and is one of the oldest town in Kutch.
  • Anjar is famous for its block printing works, nutcrackers, scissors and penknives.
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