Chopper service, and kaleidoscope shows in Rann Utsav

Gujarat Tourism is introducing a helicopter service for tourists from Bhuj to various parts of Kutch district as part of the extended Rann Utsav or desert celebration on Sunday. The service is scheduled to connect the district capital Bhuj with Mandvi, Dhordo(Rann Utsav tent city) and Dholavira.

Kutch is the second largest district of India, and it has wide variety of places of tourist interest such as beach, mountain, rann, rural, and religious tourist places. To cover entire Kutch circuit through roads is bit difficult, because it is time consuming. Suppose somebody wants to go to Dholavira from Bhuj or Dhordo camp, then he/she would need an entire day of journey, and the tourist would be so exhausted that he/she would not desire to go anywhere else next day. Similarly Narayan Sarovar, Koteshwar, Lakhpat circuit also would demand a day-long-journey. In such situation, if somebody wants to cover entire Kutch in two days, the helicopter is must.

According to sources in Tourism department, two helicopters have been pressed into service by private parties. The Robinson 44 is four-seater, while Del 206 has a capacity to accommodate five passengers. The fare will range from Rs 3,500 to Rs 8,000 for a trip(as per some reports Rs.7777 for 15 minute ride).

Meanwhile a theme pavilion depicting Gujarat’s share in the nation’s development, a ‘kaleidoscope’ of photographs, beach basketball and volleyball have been added to a plethora of other attractions, to make the annual Rannotsav-2010 at the Tent City in Kutch beginning Sunday a complete tourist package.

The month-long carnival across the westernmost district of the state in Kutch will be launched in the backdrop of Hamirsagar Lake at Bhuj, the megastar’s publicity blitzkrieg lending further importance to the winter festival.

The theme pavilion depicts Gujarat’s contribution in 13,000 MW power productions, ports dotting the long coastline, natural gas production and oil refineries, industrial estates, processed diamonds, textiles and particularly denim and canal network.

The other attractions are visit to nearby places, balloon show, paragliding, variety entertainment programmes by 114-strong artistes, film shows on LED screen at the amphitheater in the evenings, craft bazaar and village fair.

The kaleidoscope shows the best of past and present of Kutch – the ruins of Harappan civilization at Dhola Vira, the Great Rann, birds sanctuary, traditional rustic huts made of locally-available materials called ‘Bhungas’, places of religious interest at Koteshwar, Narayan Sarovar, Mata-no-Madh, Dattarerya temple atop Kalo Dungar (Black Hill), Prag Mahal, Than Monastery, Juno Mahal and Aina Mahal in and around Bhuj, Lakhpat Fort, Beach at Mandvi, handloom, handicraft, carpentry and embroidery.