Kutch (Kachchh) Attractions
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Kutch is a seasonal island and India's westernmost region. The tribal villages that dot the landscape produce fine Indian folk textiles, intricate embroidery and noteworthy mirror work.The Kutch region has extreme weather conditions: hot during the summer months and very cold during winter. The best time to visit Kutch is between November and March.
Bhuj, India
Bhuj is the capital of Kutch, an old walled city with maze-like streets and alleyways. Visitors can get lost in the beauty as they wander the streets and discover the gateways, old palaces, carved wooden pavilions, and brightly decorated Hindu temples.Bhuj has colorful bazaars with Kutch handicrafts, multistory flats with modern facilities and historic buildings to captivate even the most seasoned tourist. Bhuj takes travelers back to the time before the tourist invasion of India.
Sights
Bhuj has numerous sights that can be discovered as visitors tour the maze-like streets.An earthquake damaged the Prag Mahal, or New Palace, in 2001 but it is still worth the visit. The Prag Mahal is a marble and sandstone palace that was built at the end of the 19th C. Durbar Hall and the clock tower should not be missed!The Aina Mahal, or Old Palace, was built in 1752 but lost the top story in the earthquake. The main floor was designed with Indian and European designs. Within the Aina Mahal is the Maharao Madansinji Museum with a collection of paintings, photos, and Kutchi embroidery.Swaminarayan Temple has colorful paintings that cover the carved exterior. This was one of the first such temples of its kind and it is visited by pilgrims from all over the world.
Little Rann Sanctuary
The Little Rann Sanctuary is home to India's only remaining population of khur or Asiatic wild ass. The Indian Wild Ass sanctuary is also home to wolves, fox, jackals, chinkara gazelles, nilgai antelope and blackbucks.The large bird population, over 350 species, has many lesser flamingoes, which breed naturally in the sanctuary.
