27 February 2026, End of our 4-day 3-night trip to Rann Utsav and time to check out of The Tent City.

 27 February 2026,

End of our 4-day 3-night trip to Rann Utsav and time to check out of The Tent City.

Transports are arranged at staggered times, and depending on the train or flight timings, one has to work backwards and decide which transport to take to reach the railway station or the airport to catch their train/flight. 

We were told that Bhuj City has the Smriti Van Earthquake Memorial to commemorate and immortalise thousands of people who died during the devastating earthquake of 2001. A must-see sight. The tour operators had offered to drop the passengers who wanted to visit the Smritivan Earthquake Memorial,  pick them up later and drop them at the railway station or the airport, as the case may be. These arrangements seemed to be tailor-made for our requirements.

Our flight to Mumbai was around 4:30 PM, and we had to reach the airport by 2:30 PM. We planned to catch the bus leaving at 9:30 AM, get dropped off at the Smriti Van Earthquake Memorial by 11:30 AM, get picked up at 1:30 PM and be dropped off at the airport in time to catch our flight.

We had breakfast, checked out and caught a 9:30AM bus to the Smriti Van Earthquake Memorial.

Reached there in time, and by the time we had purchased the tickets, it was 1130AM.

At Smriti Van Earthquake Memorial, there are six levels, each level dealing with a single theme, such as Re-Birth, Re-Discover, Re-Store, Re-Build, Re-Think, Re-Live.

Entry and progress through successive levels are well organised and regulated. Each level has to be visited by the whole batch, in its own turn. Viewing the memorial from level one to level six generally takes two hours plus. Children below 5 years and pregnant ladies are not allowed at level six, Re-live, for reasons which will become clear later.

Turn of our batch came around 12:00 Noon.

Level one is Rebirth. At this level, the evolution of the Earth is explained by expert and knowledgeable guides with the help of models, large photographs and interactive models. The room is dominated by a huge cutaway model of the Earth showing various strata of Earth’s crust. By the time we were done with the Evolution of the Earth, it was around 12:35.

Having a flight to catch, it was clear that by following the normal routine, we would not finish going through various levels. After exiting from level one on the way to level two, we saw an elevator for the upper level, meant for senior citizens and people with physical disabilities. Being senior citizens, we caught the elevator for level two, and instead of entering to view level two, we rushed to the elevator for the next level, and so catching the next level elevator at each level, reached level six, Relive, in next to no time.

Level Six, Relive: At this level, with the use of technology, electronics, videography of 360-degree surround simulations and sound, they have created a live experience of how the tremors shook Gujarat, how buildings collapsed and how lives turned to fatalities. We felt the earth slip beneath our feet and experienced the tremors that people felt in the 2001 Earthquake in a realistic manner. And as it may scare the children or have unwanted effects on the unborn child, pregnant women are not allowed to be in level six.

We had just sufficient time to grab lunch at the  Smriti Van Earthquake Memorial restaurant,

Caught the bus for the Airport. Flight to Mumbai and after a layover of 2 hours, caught the flight to Nagpur.

Home Sweet Home.

Thus ended our Rann Utsav Trip.

End of the holiday. Bye-bye Tent City.

 Catching the E-Cart to Bus Parking.

End of the holiday. Bye-bye Tent City.

 Catching the E-Cart to Bus Parking.

Smriti Van Earthquake Museum.

Smriti Van Earthquake Museum.

Modern art at Smriti Van, Earthquake Museum.

I was told that there is a Shiv temple at the top of the hill with Shesh Nag around the Shiva. This art is supposed to be representative of the Shesh Nag.

Modern art at Smriti Van, Earthquake Museum.

I was told that there is a Shiv temple at the top of the hill with Shesh Nag around the Shiva. This art is supposed to be representative of the Shesh Nag.

Modern art at Smriti Van, Earthquake Museum.

I was told that there is a Shiv temple at the top of the hill with Shesh Nag around the Shiva. This art is supposed to be representative of the Shesh Nag.

Relaxing at Smriti Van, Earthquake Museum.

A Sitar Player. Unfortunately did not hear him play.

At Smriti Van, Earthquake Museum.

One can see successive levels from One to Six.

At Level One: Rebirth.

The artwork depicts the dynamic landscape around us, along with the evolution of various life-forms. The art form of appliqué patches, together with various other elements, is used to weave a new story of perpetual rebirth and renewal.

Appliqué artwork created by Mukesh Bhanani, Kala Raksha.

 

Smrit Van, view,  looking down. from level six of the museum,

Lunch at the Smriti Va, Earthquake Museum.

On the way back to Nagpur.

At Terminal 2, Maharaja Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport.

Tats, always there!

Kalo Dungar.

 Kalo Dungar,

also called,

Kala Dungar.

After spending some time looking around and shopping, we left Gandhi Nu Gamm for Kalo Dunger.

Kalo Dungar was an important part of ancient history when one of the main trade routes between the Middle East countries and indian penunsula passed through this point. It was a trading post as well as a place to halt for the night after a hard day's travel.

Travellers and traders, after traversing through endless miles of the tabletop flat Rann with an average elevation between 5 and 15 feet AMSL, espied this dark-looking hillock of around 450 to 460 feet AMSL; it appeared like a mountain, and they called it Kalo (black) Dungar ( mountain).

Nowadays, it is a tourist attraction for people travelling to Kutch. We had our first glimpse of Klao Dungar when we reached the bus parking area and reached its base around 5:30 PM. From that point, the top and sunset viewpoint is about a kilometre of uphill climb. 

SUVs, minivans and mini trucks are available to take the tourist to the top. We travelled in a fairly new SUV; the charges for both ways of travel are Rs 100/- per head. At the top, we were dropped near Shri Dattatreya Mandir.

Shri Dattatreya is a three-headed God and is supposed to unify Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh in one entity. Legend has it that when Shri Dattatreya was wandering around this place, he saw a hungry skulk ( a group of foxes is most commonly called a skulk) overcome with compassion, he offered his body to them till their hunger was satisfied. All the eaten parts were miraculously regenerated. Even today, a special prasad is prepared in the evening and offered to the foxes. A Small but beautiful temple of red sandstone was built around 400 years ago and has become a place of pilgrimage for Shri Dattatreya devotees.  The gradual popularity of Kala Dungar as a tourist attraction can be traced back to the building of the temple. We offered prayers and had darshan of Shit Datta, a beautiful idol made of pristine white marble.

After that walked to what is known as sunset view points. Well-constructed gazebo, hard standing and seating arrangements have been constructed.

To be truthful, the Rann of Kutch, the White Desert, is so flat that every point from where you can have an uninterrupted view of the horizon is an ideal sunset or sunrise viewpoint. The beauty of Kalo Dunger is not that you have a beautiful view of the setting Sun, but the amazing and awesome view of the Ran of Kutch Lake and the surrounding landscape for miles and miles around, and for that, the trip to Kalo Dunger was well worth it. Binoculars are available for hire, and  you can have a really nice and 'closer view' of interesting landmarks like forward posts of BSF, the Hanuman Mandir, eagerly pointed out by the renter of the binoculars 😊

Enjoyed the amazing all-around panoramic view, saw the truly beautiful sunset. A young girl, a stranger, offered to take and took a beautiful photograph of the view of the setting sun between us with our backs to the camera.

 Returned to and reached Rann Utsav, the Tent City, by around 9:15 PM.

First view of Shri Datta Mandir. On the way to Kala Dungar

Tent City bus drops you at the parking lot at the base of Kala Dungar.

One can either walk up to Shri Datta Mandir and the sunset viewpoint, or take local vehicles by paying a fare @ per passenger. Varies depending on the type/ comfort level of the hired vehicle. We paid @ Rs 100/- per head for the return journey.

We had hired this black Scrpio, Tats already on board.

Shree Guru Datta Bhagavan.

Shri Ganesh on the left and Shri Hanuman on the right

Shri Datta Mandir at Kala Dungar.The 400-year-old Dattatreya temple. 

According to legend, when Dattatreya was roaming the earth, he stopped near Kala Dungar, and there he saw a herd of hungry foxes. He gave a part of his body to the foxes to eat and after the foxes ate it, Dattatreya's limbs started growing again. Due to this, for the last 400 years, the temple priest has been offering cooked rice to the foxes after the evening aarti.

Kala Dungar View from Shri Datta Mandir.

Kala Dungar View from Shri Datta Mandir.

Kalo Dungar highest point in Kutch at 458 meters above the Rann and 462 meters AMSL.

Kalo Dungar highest point in Kutch at 458 meters above the Rann and 462 meters AMSL.

On the way to the sunset viewpoint.

On the way to the sunset viewpoint.

Kala Dungar, information board in Gujrati.

Translation of the text is given below:-

Kala Dungar The highest peak of Kutch at 458 meters height.

Kala Dungar is famous for the 400-year-old Dattatreya temple. According to legend, when Dattatreya was roaming the earth, he stopped near Kala Dungar and there he saw a herd of hungry foxes. He gave a part of his body to the foxes to eat and after the foxes ate it, Dattatreya's limbs started growing again. Due to this, for the last 400 years, the temple priest has been offering cooked rice to the elephants after the evening aarti. Forest Kutch (East) Division, Bhuj 

Panoramic view from Kala Dungar, from different angles.

Panoramic view from Kala Dungar, from different angles.

Panoramic view from Kala Dungar, from different angles.

Panoramic view from Kala Dungar, from different angles.

Panoramic view from Kala Dungar, from different angles.

Panoramic view from Kala Dungar, from a different angle

Panoramic view of Wet Lands, mud flats and Rann of Kutch Lake, around Kala Dungar.

Panoramic view of Wet Lands, mud flats and Rann of Kutch Lake around Kala Dungar.

Forward most Border post of the BSF, a human temple and other points of interest can be seen with binoculars. Renting out these binoculars provides a source of income to a large number of people, mostly young boys.

Panoramic view of Wet Lands, mud flats and Rann of Kutch Lake around Kala Dungar.

Forward most Border post of the BSF, a human temple and other points of interest can be seen with binoculars. Renting out these binoculars provides a source of income to a large number of people, mostly young boys.

Panoramic view of Wet Lands, mud flats and Rann of Kutch Lake around Kala Dungar.

Forward most Border post of the BSF, a human temple and other points of interest can be seen with binoculars. Renting out these binoculars provides a source of income to a large number of people, mostly young boys.

Waiting for the sunset. 

Simple joy of just sitting quietly.

Sunset at Kala Dungar.

Sunset at Kala Dungar.

Sunset at Kala Dungar.

A young girl, a stranger, offered to take and took a beautiful photograph of the view of the setting sun between us with our backs to the camera.

A young girl, a stranger, offered to take and took this photograph of us.

Earlier one, was too good. 
No heart to delete it. 

Sunset at Kala Dungar.

On the way back to the bus fot Tent City.

Sunset at Kala Dungar.

On the way down saw that the sun was still visible so, just clicked

Sunset at Kala Dungar.

On the way down saw that the sun was still visible so, just clicked

Zoomed.

Back at Rann Uysav, Tent City.

 VID_20260226_175504.mp4

Gandhi Nu Gaam.

 Gandhi Nu Gaam

26 February 2026. 

This was the third day of our stay in Rann Utsav Tent City.

On the agenda for the day was Yoga in the morning, a visit to Sunset Point at Kalo Dunger, and on the way, a stop at Gandhi Nu Gamm for shopping of handloom fabrics and locally manufactured jewellery. 

Rather than doing Yoga, we went to see The Road to Heaven, which was a bit of a letdown. What we saw was a normal road to Dholavira.

Started for Gandhi Nu Gamm and Kalo Dunger around 2:30 P M.

The aim of the visit was to provide the tourist an opportunity for shopping for local handloom textiles, jewellery and carved woodwork.

Gandhi Nu Gamm ( Gandhi’s Village) is a model village of about 100 odd model houses built by the Government of Gujarat for local craftsmen, handloom weavers and artisans after their houses were destroyed in the devastating earthquake of 2001.

The model houses are constructed of mud and decorated in the typical Kutch style with a built-in mirror work called Lippan craft, and traditional wall paintings.

Apparently, even today, between the Department of Tourism (responsible for organising Rann Ustav) and the Department of Handicrafts and Handlooms, creators of Gandhi Nu Gram, have joined hands to encourage local craftsmen by providing captive shoppers😊.

The buses from different resorts arrive and park at predetermined places. The fronts of the houses have been converted into shops displaying handloom textiles and jewellery.

The ladies did enjoy shopping. For them as well as for those who did just  ‘window shopping’, complimentary tea and coffee were offered.

We found that the rates are on par with other places and not much cheaper as published.

A good governmental effort to look after the local craftsmen. 

Typical showcase model house at Gandhi Nu Gaam.

Shopping and a complimentary tea/coffee break at Gandhi Nu Gaam.

Drinking water supply arrangements at  Gandhi Nu Gaam.

Road to Heaven.Rann Kutch.

 Road to Heaven.

26 February 2026, this was the third day of our stay in Rann Utsav Tent City.

As per the itinerary given by our tour organiser, the programme for the day included Yoga in the morning and a visit to Kala Dunger Sunset point in the evening.

None of us was particularly interested in the yoga; we had discussed and decided to visit a tourist attraction known as the Road to Heaven.  

According to the description, Road to Heaven is a ruler-straight stretch of around 30 kilometres of jet black tar road traversing through the brilliant white salt flats of the great Rann between the villages of Khavda and Dholavira. This place was about 70 to 80 kilometres and a 1.5 to 2-hour journey from the tent City. This visit was to be under our own arrangements, paid for by us.

When we reached there, what we found was what should have been an extensive plain of brilliant white from horizon to horizon, bisected by a jet black tar road, giving a totally surreal look as if a road is climbing to heaven through white clouds, giving this road its name. What we had was a road running through an extensive lake.

In our visit, we found that rather than a Road to Heaven, it was just part of a state road from Khavda to Dholavira.
Apparently, excessive and delayed rains had not allowed the water to evaporate and form brilliant white salt plains.

Another case of right place at the wrong time. It will be advisable to check the condition of the road before planning a trip

The only redeeming feature was sighting a group of Flemingos foraging through the shallow, algae-rich wetlands.

On the way to Road to Haven.

On the Road to Haven.

What should have been an extensive plain of brilliant white from horizon to horizon, bisected by a jet black tar road, giving a totally surreal look as if a road is climbing to heaven through white clouds, giving this road its name, what we had was a road running through a lake.

Excessive and delayed rains had not allowed the water to evaporate and form brilliant white salt plains.

During our visit, it was the road to Dholavira, rather than Road to Haven.

ON the Road to Heaven.

ON the Road to Heaven.

ON the Road to Heaven.

Prashant & Manisha Khandekar

ON the Road to Heaven.

ON the Road to Heaven.

A redeeming feature of the trip was the sighting of these lovely Flamingos foraging near Road to Haven.

The "Road to Heaven"  becomes a prime, temporary winter habitat from November to March, for various migratory birds when monsoon waters turn the salt desert into shallow, algae-rich wetlands.

Main species, Flamingos, Pelicans, Cranes, Ducks and Geese and many more.

Flamingos foraging near Road to Haven.

Flamingos foraging near Road to Haven.

Flamingos foraging near Road to Haven.

Flamingos foraging near Road to Haven.

360 Degree View Road to haven.