~Parishka Gupta
Rightfully know as India’s Wild West, Kutch is a place you just have to visit before you leave this planet. The off-beat geography of this place is no match for your quotidian trips to the hills and the beaches. The Rann of Kutch is divided into the Great ran of Kutch and the Little Rann of Kutch. The Rann Utsav held every year attracts tourists that flock in thousands from every corner of the country. Your time in Kutch will be nothing less than wholesome and memorable.
Here are some lesser-known facts about Kutch that we have compiled for you:
1. The word ‘Kutch’ means ‘something that intermittently becomes wet and dry’. A major portion of this place is called Rann of Kutch which is under water in the monsoons and completely dry throughout the other seasons. It is also derived from katchua or katchbo in Sanskrit!
2. Kutch is the only place in India which will treat you with the wondrous sight of dashing pink flamingos. The one and only flamingo nest in the country, it is precisely termed as the Flamingo City, and is a vast expanse of saline desert which is part of the Kutch Desert Wildlife Sanctuary.
3. Kala Dungar is the highest point in Kutch and is characterized by lurking jackals. The Black Mountain or Kala Dungar is in sharp contrast to the pearly, salty white Kutch. You can watch the sun drop low as strong winds try to sway you. It is the Dattatreyi temple where you’ll find almost tame jackals being fed by the priests there. There’s a little eatery for you too. Don’t forget to wash your utensils before leaving!
4. Nirona is a magical, but sadly overlooked village in the Kutch district. Artforms like Rogan Art, Lacquer and Copper Bell seem like legerdemain. These art forms are so hidden that you won’t find a single billboard advertising the hubs where the magic happens. The artists in Nirona are closely bound by a sense of pride and loyalty to their work and appreciate acknowledgment. Word on the grapevine says that the likes of Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Amitabh Bachchan drive all the way to Nirona for a taste of these ornate crafts.
5. Tattooing was being practiced in Kutch long before it became a style statement for youngsters today. The Rabari women of Kutch tattoo for therapeutic, religious and decorative purposes. The beautiful designs of the women signify their strong belief in magic. Tattoos in Kutch is a subject of sincere reverence. As you make your way through the villages, you’ll see the mystical tattoos on skins plump and loose.
