Rann Utsav 2024-25: Everything You Must Know Before Visiting

The Rann of Kutch is the pride and joy of Gujarat, with its blinding white sandy deserts offering a breathtaking view unlike any other. What makes it so popularly explored in the winter season is the colourful Rann Utsav that transforms the barren salt desert into a cultural heaven, filled with traditional dances and melodies, camel safaris, captivating crafts, and delicious food to bring you the Gujarati Bollywood-wali feeling right at your doorstep. You have to rightly agree with Amitabh Bachan when he says, ‘Kutch nahi dehka toh kuch nahi dekha!’

Since 2005, the Rann Utsav has greeted Gujarat every winter with open arms, headed by the official Gujarat tourism department to share the beauty of this land with the world. It is widely known as the White Desert Festival, hosting a plethora of events and experiences, including paramotoring, paintball games, rides on Golf carts, game carts, and ATVs, that are bound to draw you in every year.

If you’re visiting the Rann Utsav 2024-25 for the first time, let’s discover the details together so you can plan the most successful escape to this white wonderland!

Rann Utsav 2024 Dates and Time

Decorative Rann Utsav board welcoming visitors to the Tent City
Image credit: MudaCom/Shutterstock

Kutch Rann Utsav 2024 will begin from 11th November 2024 till 15th March 2025. The festival is for 120 days, with no breaks in between. The best time to explore the festival is on full moon days for the most serene landscape views, as the white sand takes on a luminous sparkle under the full moon. The full moon dates to explore the Rann Utsav 2024-25 are:

November: 14^th to 16^th
December: 13^th to 15^th
January: 12^th to 15^th
February: 10^th to 13^th
March: 12^th to 15^th

You can dodge crowds by visiting in February or March, as the festival gets incredibly crowded at the end of December for Christmas and New Year celebrations.

Where is the Rann Utsav located?

Entrance to Dhordo Village, Kutch
Image credit: MudaCom/Shutterstock

The Rann of Kutch Festival is at Dhordo Village, at the edge of the India-Pakistan land border. Since the festivities begin here, book a cheap Mumbai to Bhuj flight to get here. The festival travels to different parts of the district before finally ending with a bang at the exact location it started in Bhuj.

How to Reach the Rann Utsav

Gandhidham City roads in Kutch
Image credit: Sagar Rajgor/Shutterstock

Once you hop on a flight to Kutch, how do you get to the festival from the Airport? Here is a short Gujarat travel guide to assist you with the quickest routes to get to the festival:

From the Airport: The closest is the Kutch Airport, from where you can book car rental services to get to the festival in around an hour and a half by road.

From the Train Station: The closest is Bhuj Railway Station, from where you can take a taxi, car, or bus to reach the Rann of Kutch festival.

By Car: The Rann Utsav 2024-25 is easily accessible from Rajasthan and the surrounding major cities in Gujarat by road. You should take the National 8A Highway to reach Dhordo easily.

Price & Permit Details to Attend the Rann Utsav

Gujarati Women at Rann Utsav
Image credit: Veena Nair/Shutterstock

As the land of Rann of Kutch is close to the territory of Pakistan, all visitors entering the location must get entry permission in advance. You can receive permission from the Bhirandiyara Village checkpoint, almost 50 km away, or apply for a permit online through the official website: https://rannpermit.gujarat.gov.in/ to get into the Utsav. The permit for visitors over 12 years costs Rs. 100, and for kids between 5 and 12 years is Rs. 50. Kids below five years can enter for free. You will also have to pay Rs. 25 for a two-wheeler vehicle or Rs. 50 for a four-wheeler.

Visitors need not pay additional fees for the Rann Utsav 2024-25; however, Rann Utsav booking online is the only way you can attend the festival.

Finding Accommodation at the White Desert Festival

The Tent City at Dhordo for the Rann Utsav
Image credit: MudaCom/Shutterstock

Since the Rann Utsav 2024-25 is located in Tent City, it is impossible to explore the area without reserving a tent for accommodation. The rates depend on the kind of tent you book and the booking dates. The Rann Utsav 2024 package price can range anywhere between Rs. 5,200 to Rs. 55,000 for one night and two days or between Rs.15,000 and Rs. 1,40,000 for three nights and four days. The Rann Utsav 2024 tent price is cheaper in February and March, excluding full moon days.

The Tent City accommodations are slightly expensive; however, you get access to a completely furnished, air-conditioned tent with a 24-hour hot water supply, two dining halls, campfire space, a mini-alcohol bar, and other facilities while living at the centre of most cultural activities.

Visitors on a tight budget can still visit the Rann of Kutch during the best season, from November to February, and explore beyond the festival by booking some of the best hotels in Kutch, Gujarat. For an authentic cultural experience, you can also live like a local in the small bhungas as shelters, which are traditional houses in Dhordo, made using cow dung or clay.

Also read: A Complete Rann of Kutch Travel Guide

A Few Experiences at the Rann Utsav

Musicians performing at Rann Utsav
Image credit: SantanuU/Shutterstock

The Rann Utsav 2024 packages give you access to some of the most delightful, one-of-a-kind experiences. As soon as you step into the village, you’ll gain access to a luxurious Tent stay, with a fun campfire experience and a chance to admire the clear star-filled skies. Dive into the rich culture of Gujarat by dancing along to melodious Garba and Dandiya tunes with a few days of live musical concerts. The Rann Utsav 2024-25 is packed with adventure, from the parasailing views of the magnificent desert to dirt biking, camel riding, and other games for kids. The Rann of Kutch tour will take you on an exploration of the Hodka Village, Black Hill, and other parts of the desert in the daytime.

Hodka Village is a paradise for shoppers, where you can find the most unique hand-made leather bags, woven quilts, and decorative art and craft pieces. The Rann Utsav makes its way to the hearts of all visitors through the flavourful vegetarian Kutchi cuisine and popular dishes from Indian cuisine overall, including Jain options. Continental meals are available as well. A few special events planned for the Rann Utsav 2024-25 are:

31st December: New Year celebrations
14th January: Unique arrangement for Kite Flying on Makar Sankranti.
26th January: Unique arrangement for Republic Day flag hoisting.
14th February: A special Gala Dinner for Valentine’s Day celebrations.
March: Holi celebrations, with Holika Dahan, rain dances, and cuisine inspired by the festival.

Rann Utsav 2024-25 is only a tiny portion of what the Rann of Kutch has to offer. Since most visitors flock to the festival, you can instead explore the uncrowded Dhordo marketplace, the lovely Ekal ka Rann, the Vijay Vilas Palace, and the exciting Kutch Desert Wildlife Sanctuary with affordable and all-inclusive Gujarat tour packages!

Also read: Places to Visit in Kutch

History of Rann Utsav & What Makes it so Special

Camels decorated for the Rann Utsav
Image credit: MudaCom/Shutterstock

The Rann Utsav 2024-25 is the biggest carnival in Gujarat, started under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who was the chief minister of Gujarat then. Organized by the Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Limited (TCGL). It began as a short 3-day festival that grew to extend to 100+ days of celebration because of the enthusiastic response it received.

The festival aims to display the glowing beauty of Rann of Kutch, with its beautiful sandy white desert sand, vibrant heritage, and artistic culture. It has helped increase tourism to the spot and allowed locals to earn more for their hard work. It gets especially crowded on full moon days, as the salty sand sparkles like silver glitter at nighttime on these days!

Have you completed your Rann Utsav online booking? If not, what are you waiting for? Book your Rann Utsav tour packages now! The beginning and end of the year are the perfect time to take a trip abroad, and if you’ve already visited the Rann Utsav in the past, why not access online visa services for 180+ countries for a change of scenery this year? Let us know more about your experience in the comments!

FAQs- Rann Utsav 2024-25

What are the dates of Rann Utsav 2024?
The Rann Utsav 2024 is from 11th November 2024 to 25th March 2025.

Which month is best for Rann Utsav?
You can enjoy the best experience at Rann Utsav during the last few days of December to participate in the exciting New Year celebrations. Visitors can find the least crowd in February and March, excluding the full moon nights.

Which is the best month to visit Rann of Kutch?
You’ll find the most pleasant weather at the Rann of Kutch from November to February, with temperatures ranging between 12°C and 25°C.

How much does it cost to visit Rann Utsav?
Visiting Rann Utsav and staying at the Tent City can cost you anywhere from Rs. 5,500 to Rs. 1,40,000, depending on the type of tent and your visiting days.

What is the price of one night stay in Rann of Kutch?
One night stay in Rann of Kutch costs between Rs. 5,500 and Rs. 9,500 in February and March, except on full moon days. From December to January, you can book a tent starting from Rs. 7,000 on nights with no full moon.

How many days are enough for Kutch?
Four days is the perfect period needed to explore Kutch.

Is Rann Utsav worth visiting?
Yes, Rann Utsav offers the best look at Gujarati culture and art, with its endless events, live music, and traditional dances. You can also try delicious Kuchi cuisine and enjoy some heart-thrilling adventures.

Does Kutch have beach?
Yes, Kutch has the Mandvi Beach.

How far is Bhuj from White Rann?
Bhuj is 87.3 km away from White Rann of Kutch, and you can get here by a 2-hour drive.

How to travel from Bhuj to Rann of Kutch by road?
You can travel to Rann of Kutch from Bhuj by car or taxi via the NH341 route which will get you there in less than 2 hours.

Which railway station is near to Rann of Kutch?
Bhuj Railway Station is the closest to Rann of Kutch.

What is the best time to visit Bhuj?
Between October and February is the best time to visit Bhuj.

Is food included in the Rann Utsav package?
Yes, all meals are included. The package covers breakfast, lunch, snacks, tea, and dinner are covered in the Rann Utsav package.

What is the entry fee for Little Rann of Kutch?
Visitors above 12 years must pay a permit fee of Rs. 100, while kids between 5 and 12 years must pay Rs. 50. Infants below 5 years can enter for free.

How much is the Kutch tour package?
The Rann Utsav Kutch tour package begins at Rs. 5,000 and can exceed Rs. 1,40,000 depending on the kind of tent you choose and the visiting dates.

What is the ticket price of Kutch White Desert?
Visitors older than 12 years must pay a ticket price of Rs. 100. Kids below five years can enter for free, while those between 5 and 12 years must pay a fee of Rs. 50. The price to get two-wheelers into the Kutch White Desert is Rs. 25 and Rs. 50 for four-wheelers.

What happens in Rann Utsav?
You can admire live cultural dances and music, taste traditional flavours, and learn about the culture of Gujarat by living at Tent City. Visitors can also participate in sporty events and take a camel safari to explore popular attractions during the festival.

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