Gandhinagar: Over the past 20 years, Gujarat’s tourism industry has experienced impressive growth. With its diverse geography and numerous attractions, it has become a top destination for travellers. A standout feature is White Rann Of Kutch, which has drawn thousands of tourists since its revival after natural disasters like earthquakes. Once seen as barren land, this desert now hosts the grand Rann Utsav, a four-month-long celebration of Kutch’s art, culture, hospitality, and traditions. This year, the festival has started and will last till February 28, 2025. Launched in 2005 by the then-Chief Minister of Gujarat and current Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the festival has played a key role in boosting Gujarat’s tourism sector while also driving economic and social development in the region.

From a Three-Day Event to the World’s Longest Festival

Then Chief Minister Narendra Modi wanted rebuild Kutch’s image following the devastating earthquake, the Rann Utsav, launched in the White Desert of Kutch, became a vital part of this vision. Inspired by the vast, glistening horizons of the white desert, he introduced “Kutch Rann Utsav,” the world’s largest and only white desert festival. Initially a three-day event held at Dhordo, 80 km from Bhuj, the Rann Utsav has since grown into an impressive four-month-long celebration.

Emphasis on Sustainable Tourism in the 2024-25 Rann Utsav

This year, the Rann Utsav emphasizes sustainable tourism, introducing initiatives like reducing plastic usage, offering bicycle rides to explore the White Desert, and implementing waste segregation and disposal systems in the Tent City. Additionally, diverse travel itineraries will enable visitors to experience other tourist attractions in Kutch alongside the Rann Utsav.

7.42 Lakh Tourists Visited the Rann Utsav in 2023-24

The Tent City is the main highlight of the Rann Utsav, offering around 400 tents with amenities comparable to 3-star hotels and resorts, all set against the scenic White Desert. Running from November 11, 2024, to February 28, 2025, Tent City invites visitors to immerse themselves in the stunning natural beauty of the White Salt Desert, local culture, and traditional cuisine. Guests can enjoy cultural programs and a range of adventure sports during their stay. For the 2024-25 Rann Utsav, a dedicated Adventure Zone with 20 different activities, including paramotoring and ATV rides, and a Children’s Activity Zone featuring a Fun/Knowledge Park with 10 educational and entertainment activities—such as nutrition-based games and a VR gaming zone—are also available to enhance the experience.

In December 2023, Gujarat’s Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel inaugurated a new light and sound show atop the watchtower in the White Desert, adding an exciting attraction for visitors. This year, the tourism department also developed a 44-room resort in Dholavira through a PPP model, which has already drawn a substantial number of visitors. Since the Rann Utsav’s inception, tourist numbers have consistently risen each year, with the 2023-24 festival attracting a total of 7.42 lakh tourists, including 852 international visitors.

In 2023-24, craft stall owners earned over ₹6 crore due to the Rann Utsav

The Rann Utsav’s influx of countless tourists has become a vital source of income for local residents, especially those in the handicrafts sector. The festival creates employment for artisans skilled in Rogan art, Ori embroidery, Meenakari, Ajrakh block printing, Bandhani, Zardosi, woodwork, and more, giving Kutch’s artisans a global platform to showcase and sell their crafts. To further support these artisans, Tent City includes shops featuring live demonstrations of handloom and handicraft work. Daily cultural shows also provide a platform for local performers. During the 2023-24 Rann Utsav, approximately 2 lakh visitors explored the craft and food stalls, with craft vendors earning an estimated ₹6.65 crore and food stall vendors around ₹1.36 crore. This year, the craft and food stalls will open on December 1, 2024.

The Rann Utsav: Showcasing Kutch on the Global Stage for Two Decades

The Rann Utsav is held annually at Dhordo Tent City, each year with a distinct theme. This year’s theme, “Rann Ke Rang” (Colors of the Desert), captures the vibrant beauty of the desert, enchanting tourists with its gleaming landscapes by day and night. Dhordo village has also received recognition as one of the “Best Tourism Villages” by the United Nations World Tourism Organization. Guided by the vision of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the border district of Kutch has emerged on the global tourism map over the past two decades, with the Rann Utsav becoming a premier destination for travellers worldwide.