Arrival in Ahmedabad – a World Heritage City. Proceed towards Bhuj (350 kms/7 hours). Visit LLDC
Museum in Ajrakhpur on the way to feel the vibrancy of the colourful handicrafts of Kutch District.
LLDC stands for ‘Living and Learning Design Centre’. The LLDC museum hosts glorious heritage of Kutch and it is a
tribute to the brilliant artisans of Kutch. The museum has three galleries, studios and a library. Kutch is home to 12
tribes such as Ahir, Rabari, Maghwal, etc., that are indigenous communities of Kutch. The motive of the LLDC
museum is to train, educate, support and promote the traditional crafts and communities of Kutch region. The
biggest attraction of the museum is the textile and different embroidery styles of the locals, which is revered by
the world. Tourists can see the different art and craft artefacts and also learn how they are created here. Also, a
few more galleries are slated to be opened here featuring pottery, metal, wood and stone crafts. ‘The Living
Embroideries of Kutch’ – the first show by the LLDC museum – had been seen by more than 30,000 people in just
first couple of years. There are also craft shops where people can purchase the indigenous craft articles and there
is also a café where the tourists can experience the local cuisine. The museum also hosts amazing sculptures and
installations such as the metal installation created in the artificial pond.
Reach Bhuj – a city which rose from the ashes after the 2001 devastating Earthquake. Visit
Swaminarayan Temple in Bhuj and overnight at Bhuj.
Day 2: Bhuj – White Desert – Black Hills – Bhuj
Today morning, visit:
White Desert:
The Great Rann of Kutch is a salt marsh in the Thar Desert in the Kutch District of Gujarat, India. It is about 7500
km2 (2900 sq miles) in area and is reputed to be one of the largest salt deserts in the world.The Great Rann of
Kutch, along with the Little Rann of Kutch and the Banni grasslands on its southern edge, is situated in the district
of Kutch and comprises some 30,000 square kilometres (10,000 sq mi) between the Gulf of Kutch and the mouth of
the Indus River in southern Pakistan. The marsh can be accessed from the village of Kharaghoda in Surendranagar
District. The Great Rann of Kutch together with the Little Rann of Kutch is called Rann of Kutch. In India's summer
monsoon, the flat desert of salty clay and mudflats, which average 15 meters above sea level, fills with standing
water. In very wet years, the wetland extends from the Gulf of Kutch on the west through to the Gulf of Cambay on
the east. Every Year, in the vicinity of the White Desert, Gujarat Tourism celebrates the Rannutsav or the White
Desert festival highlighting the white Desert and the colourful handicrafts of the district of Kutch which attracts
thousands of people in the desert.
Black Hills:
Kalo Dungar or Black Hills stands as the highest point (462 m) in Kutch and is famous for its 400-year-old
Dattatreya Temple. This is probably the only place from where you can enjoy the panoramic view of the white
desert. The sunset from the Black hills is a treat to watch. Every day, at 12 in the noon, the jackals are served with
food and then the holy Prasad is given to the people and this sight is recommended for the visitors to see.
Return back to Bhuj and overnight at Bhuj.
Day 3 : Mandvi -Bhuj
Today morning, Visit:
Prag Mahal:
The gigantic Prag Mahal reflecting an unmistakable Gothic architecture at first sight doesn't seem to blend in with
other structures in the surroundings. A commission or order for constructing a grand palace mirroring the Italian
Gothic architectural style was given by King Pragmalji in 1865 and it was Colonel Henry Saint Wilkins who designed
the layout for Prag Mahal. Artisans and craftsmen were indentured from Italy especially to help in the construction
of this structure. Labourers received gold coins as remuneration for offering their services and it is alleged that
more than 3.1 million rupees were invested for building this mansion. The palace has been constructed out of two
materials-red sandstone and Italian marble. The sandstone was procured from Rajasthan. Upon entering the main
or central hall, you'll see stuffed skins of different animals hung up on the walls, some of which have decayed
considerably. You'll also stare in amazement at the grandiose chandeliers hanging from the ceilings and at the
various statuettes placed in prominent corners around the palace. European flora and fauna done in 'Jali' style are
going to impress you as well. Perhaps the feature or facet that'll appeal to you the most is the turret or bell tower
plastered with a giant clock, going up to a height of 45 feet. Scaling to the top of the tower offers you breathtaking
vistas of the entire city of Bhuj. A courtyard at the back of the Prag Mahal within which a tiny shrine having intricate
stone engravings, can be seen.
Aina Mahal:
The Aina Mahal was built under the supervision of Maharao Lakhpatji in the year 1761. The palace was converted
into a museum by the last ruler of the Jadeja dynasty Maharao Madan Sinhji. Although this 18th-century
fortification is in an advanced state of decay, one can still see the magnificence of the structure by taking a detailed
tour of its inner premises. You get to see the fortified wall constructed out of marble and ornamented with gold
lacings and glass beads. There are large Venetian glass panels plastered on the walls layered with gilded ornaments.
The palace suffered heavy damage owing to the earthquake that rocked Bhuj in 2001. The architecture of the Aina
Mahal reflects a blend of Indo and European styles. The Swadeshi philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi also had a
profound influence on the master craftsman whose effects are mirrored in the museum. The fountains, glasswork,
and mirrors were specially designed by the architect. You should not miss exploring the quadrangle leading to the
palace that looks marvelous because of the arched doorways, intricately carved balconies, and elaborate boxed-
type windows.
Proceed to Mandvi – an ancient port city and visit:
Vijay Vilas Palace:
Situated on the outskirts of Mandvi, a municipality falling under Gujarat's Kutch district is the township's prime
attraction-the Vijay Vilas Palace. This magnificent and grand palace that once used to be the summer sanctuary of
the Cutch State's king is just about 2kms from the Mandvi Beach. The palace constructed fully out of red sandstone
is still in pristine condition and looks breathtaking beautiful when viewed from close quarters. The architectural
pattern of the Vijay Vilas Palace that was inspired by the layout of Datia and Orcha palaces mirrors the essential
aspects of Rajput-style building architecture. The chief dome perched high atop the roof together with all the
surrounding cupolas has a structure similar to domes seen in temples and shrines of Bengal. The windows along
with the arches atop them have colored glasses, stone carvings with jali' work, broad verandas, and other
elaborately engraved structural sections add to the magnificence of the palace. This stately fortress sits right in the
center of meticulously manicured gardens that are in turn perfectly laid out highlighted with water fountains and
channels. These fountains have been chiseled out of pure marble making them appear splendid. After scaling to the
balcony of the palatial structure, one gets a breathtaking bird's eye-view of the surroundings. The beach area lying
within the immediate neighbourhood is owned by the proprietors of the palace.
Kranti Tirth (Shyamji Krishna Verma Memorial):
Kranti Tirth is the memorial dedicated to the freedom fighter Shri Shyamji Krishna Varma. It is created in a way to
resemble the ‘India House’ – a mansion located in Cronwell, London. This is the replica of the house from where
Shri Shyamji Krishna Varma and the Indian Home Rule Society carried on the fight for freedom. The replica of India
House here, located at Kranti Tirth, hosts a number of paintings, pictures, library and an audio-visual presentation.
Also, there is ViranjaliWalk-through Gallery which hosts the documentation of Viranjali Yatra. The Viranjali Yatra
was organized in Gujarat state, when the ashes of Shri Shyamji Krishna Varma were brought back to India from
Geneva. The ashes traversed across the state, covering more than 2000 km distance. The urns of ashes are kept in
‘Smriti Kaksh’ at the memorial along with the excerpts from Indian Sociologist journal that Shri Shyamji Krishna
Varma published in London. Also, there is a Dayanand Saraswati Chowk at the memorial which pays tribute to one
of the greatest social reformer of India Swami DayanadSaraswati.
Relax at the serene beach of Mandvi and return back to Bhuj and Overnight at Bhuj.
Day 4: Drop
Today morning, check out and proceed to Ahmedabad and drop as per schedule.
