About Kachchh
Kutch district (also spelled as Kachchh) is a district of Gujarat state in western India, with its capital at Bhuj. Covering an area of 45,674 km², it is the largest district of India. The area of Kutch District is larger than the entire area of states like Haryana and Kerala. The population of Kutch is about 2,092,371. It has 10 talukas, 939 villages and 6 municipalities. The Kutch district is home to the Kutchi people who speak the Kutchi language.
Kutch District is surrounded by the Gulf of Kutch and the Arabian Sea to the south and west, while the northern and eastern parts are surrounded by the Great and Little Rann (seasonal wetlands) of Kutch. It is also next to the Border with Pakistan. When there were not many dams built on its rivers, the Rann of Kutch remained wetlands for a large part of the year. Even today, the region remains wet for a significant part of the year. The district had a population of 2,092,371 as of the 2011 census, of which 30% were urban. The district is well connected by road, rail and air. There are four airports in the district: Naliya, Anjar, Mundra, and Bhuj. Bhuj and Anjar are well connected with Mumbai airport. Being a border district, Kutch has both an army and an air force base.
Rivers and dams
There are ninety-seven small rivers in Kutch District, most of which flow into the Arabian Sea, but some of which feed the Rann of Kutch. Twenty major dams, and numerous smaller dams, capture the rainy season runoff. While most of these dams do not affect the Ranns, as they are on rivers that feed directly into the Arabian Sea, storage of rainy season water upstream from Kutch and its use in irrigation has resulted in less fresh water coming into the Ranns of Kutch during the rainy season. This is true of the Great Rann, but particularly true of the Little Rann which is fed by the Luni, Rupen, the Bambhan, the Malwan, the Kankawati, and the Saraswati rivers. However, sea water from the Arabian Sea continues to be driven into the Great Rann by storm tides aided by high winds. Water remains a serious issue in Kutch. Kutch’s thirst for water is satisfied by Narmada River flowing from Sardar Sarovar dam.
Handicraft
The rich and diverse creative traditions of Kachchh live at the intersection of cultures and communities. Once a destination by land and sea for people from Africa, the Middle East, and the Swat Valley, Kachchh has a rich tradition of sea trade from Mandvi and a global connection. A river system was shared between Kachchh, Sindh and Rajasthan. As a border state, Kachchh is constantly absorbing cultures from the north, west, and east. Kachchhi motifs can be traced to the ancient Harappan civilization, yet craft is developing and growing with the innovative and entrepreneurial drive of spirited artists.
The arid climate has pushed communities here to evolve an ingenious balance of meeting their needs by converting resources into products for daily living. While embroidery has become a craft synonymous with Kachchh, other textile crafts and hard materials crafts give this land color and identity. Craft is inextricable from the numerous communities, connected by trade, agriculture and pastoralism in Kachchh.
People of Kachchh
Kachchh is cultural district of Gujarat which is famous for its Culture. The language spoken in Kachchh is Kachchhi, Sindhi, Gujarati and Hindi. Kachchh district is inhabited by various groups and communities. One can find various nomadic, semi nomadic and artisan groups living in Kachchh. Gujarati Ahirs constitutes a comparatively large group in Kachchh. Many of these have reached this region after centuries of migration from neighboring regions of Marwar (Western Rajasthan), Sindh, Afghanistan and further. Most of the population is Hindu and Jain and thus largely vegetarian.
Kachchhi Costumes are unique and some of the embroidered are very costly. The mirror work and embroidery work forms an integral part of Kachchhi Handicrafts irrespective of the community or ethnic group to which they belong, however the workmanship differs. In fact, the various communities can be identified by the pattern of handicrafts and dress or costumes they were. For instance, the Garacia Jat women wear only red or black chunis while Rabari women wear black open blouses or cholis with odhnis to cover head.
In the rural areas women wear Chaniya choli during the entire year, Chaniya choli’s are of many designs and fashion. Typical Kachchhi costume is incomplete without ‘Abha’ or ‘Kanjari’. ‘Abha’ is the name of the typical choli worn by women folk and ‘Kanjari’ is a long blouse beautifully embroidered and with mirror work. Most men in Kachchh wear loose trousers, a long-sleeved under-jacket, a short coat, a plain or silk-bordered cloth. Normally men prefer white clothes except the Muslims who prefer colored clothes.
Festivals
KACHCHH is the place of life where everyone enjoys life with vibrant Fairs and Festivals. Among them, some are unique and traditional fairs. Where different tribes of kachchh like, Rabari, Ahir, Marwada, Meghwal, Sodha, Jat, Koli and all other communities comes and celebrate with extreme joy. Especially after monsoon is the season of fairs and festivals. Specially Fairs in East Kachchh like, RAVECHI MELA, WONDH MELA, SANGWARI MELA, in August or September. And it is worth to visit for all but heaven for Photographers. And fairs in West Kachchh are Mota Yaksh mela, Hajipir mela, Matiya Dev Mela, Mai mela. In North Kachchh- Dhrang Mela, Dattatrey ( kaladungar ) mela, Sadhara mela, Dhinodhar dada, fulpir mela are worth to explore. And in South Kachchh Shitla mata , Rukanpir mela, are good. And there are several other fairs too.
Kachchh – Gujarat is also famous for vibrant festivals, that’s why people say it is the land of Love and Joy where everyone enjoys life, and everyone dance for 9 nights long festival Navratri. Every village, street, home is decorated during Diwali and Eid. And no one can save himself from colour during the Holi – festival of Colour. And the entire sky looks colourful on the kite’s day – Uttrayan festival. Janmasthmi is the festival with sweets and fairs for the whole month!
The arid climate has pushed communities here to evolve an ingenious balance of meeting their needs by converting resources into products for daily living. While embroidery has become a craft synonymous with Kachchh, other textile crafts and hard materials crafts give this land color and identity. Craft is inextricable from the numerous communities, connected by trade, agriculture and pastoralism in Kachchh.
Rann Utsav
Kachchh, located in the State of Gujarat, is blessed with one of the most ecologically and culturally abundant landforms. The brimming profusion of nature’s beauty, culture and tradition, superfluity of colors and celebration, cornucopia of joy and beauty, all together reflect the magnificence of the kaleidoscopic Kachchh. Particularly, the spectacular sight of boundless white desert under the moonlight presents the stunning creation of nature, unique to this world.
It’s a Rann Utsav, the Carnival of Music, Dance; Culture of Gujarat. Enhance the nature beauty of White Rann when the light of Full Moon spread it on the white land. The festival starts every year in November onwards at Kachchh, Gujarat; marks this celebration till Holi. Lots of Tourist visit from various parts of the world just to feel the view of shimmering landscape at Rann Utsav. Especially a full moon night gives the enchanting moment when the moon light flashes on desert sand. The white milky color gives the glimpse of Heaven on earth. Cool Breeze; flashlight of full moon welcomes the tourist to live the lifetime memorable experience.
Every year it organizes with the support of Gujarat Tourism. This includes many activities like the Traditional Cultural Dance, Cultural Act shows, Camel Safari, Musical Moments, Live in Tents; many more activities at Rann Utsav. Rann Utsav is an awesome festival of Kachchh, Gujarat, India. It is a Carnival of Music, Dance, nature beauty of White Rann and much more then that when visit under the full Moon. Kachchh Rann Utsav is the shimmering landscape that gives the enchanting moments of this Fest, which feels like as Heaven on Earth during Festival Time. In fact, it is a Family holiday destination to explore fun moments and store in cameras for lifetime. Rann Utsav will be from 1st November to 20th February.