Our Travels

15 March 2026

Tent City, Rann Utsav.

After the reception at Bhuj Railway Station, Tent City Ran Utsav, we boarded a bus for Tent City. A water bottle and a bag with snacks and a soft drink were handed over to each guest. The bus was air-conditioned, and the seats were comfortable.

The distance from Bhuj Railway Station to Tent City is about 80 odd kilometres and takes about 2 hours plus, with a stop at Bhirandiara village in front of Malhar Mava Centre. Mava sold here was highly recommended by our guide. What we got was wet kalakand. “Mawa” is different from wet kalakand, which is a processed sweet made from mawa.

The road was not too good; the reason could be that the heavy traffic was made up of an almost endless convoy of huge 12 to 16-wheeler heavy-duty trucks, which were carrying salt from the salt flats of the vast Rann of Kutch and heavy machinery for wind and solar energy generation for Adani companies.

Reached Tent City after 2 and a half hours. There is a reception tent near the bus parking. Here, the staff informs you of the cluster and the tent number reserved for you while the luggage is unloaded. The luggage is to be identified for the staff so that it can be tagged with your name, your cluster and the tent number.

After the luggage is looked after, you approach the impressive main gate, there is welcome by men performing on the stilts and traditional Gujrati folk dances with music of drums and dholak.

The main reception is in one of the few permanent buildings in this vast resort, where all the other accommodation and facilities are made up of more than 350 to 400 tents and is rightly called the Tent City.

Here you are welcomed with a tilak and a welcome drink. Various groups are separately briefed about accommodation, the dining hall where they are to have their meals, meal timings, and the itinerary during their stay, depending on the length of their stay, eg, one night, two nights or three nights, etc. Our briefing was for a three-night stay. Our tents were tents 1 to 4 in the PM cluster, and the dining hall was the VIP dining hall. Our first engagement was a trip to Sunset View Point Number 2 at 4:30 PM. After this, we were transported to our tents in an E-V cart called “Buggy”. At the PM cluster, we were introduced to a staff member who was in charge of the cluster. He was our go-to man in case of any problem/ requirement during our stay.

The PM cluster had a total of 13 tents, of which 8 were Ac Prime Deluxe, 4 were Rajbari, and one was Durbari Tent. The pricing climbs as we move from Prime to Rajbari, to Darbari tents, which are the costliest. There were two smaller and one central, bigger gazebo, and an elevated machine-like structure in the PM cluster.

Our tent was spacious, clean, and very well furnished, including a mini refrigerator. The bathroom and toilet were clean with hot and cold running water. The tent had all the paraphernalia normally provided in a room by a four/five star hotel. Very pleasant and comfortable.

Vip dining hall was very close to our cluster, so we walked down there and had lunch. The meals at The Tent City Rann Utsav are strictly Vegetarian. They are inclusive, elaborate buffets (breakfast, lunch, high tea, and dinner) featuring, primarily, authentic vegetarian Kutchi and Gujarati cuisine, with Jain and Continental options available. Dining is included in the package pricing.

After lunch went back to the tent and relaxed. At the appointed time had high tea. In the evening went to Sunset View Point number two. After returning from the sunset viewpoint, we had dinner and went to see the cultural programme.

For the next two days went to see Mandavi Beach and Kala Dunger trips as per the itinerary included in the package. On day two, rather than attend a yoga session, we hired two taxis and went to see The Road To Haven. But about those, and observations/ critical comments about those, at some other time and not in this write-up about Tent City, Rann Utsav.

The Rann Utsav at Tent City had been running for a few years. Those running the show have learned their lessons well. All the normal glitches, the weak points and where things can normally go wrong have all been identified, and measures have been taken to ensure that such things do not happen. As a result, right from the time we reported to the reception point at Bhuj Railway Station, the transit to The Tent City, Reception at Tent City, briefing there, transit to the cluster and downloading of your luggage at your tent, each event went flawlessly and everything worked smoothly like a well-oiled machine.

We were to witness the same near-perfect, efficient functioning of their system during our departure on the last day. Tagging and loading of luggage, transit from The Tent City to The Smriti Van, Earthquake museum, though the entry ticket was not included in the package, and lastly, the drop off at the airport went flawlessly and smoothly like a well-oiled machine.

Overall, it was a very pleasant and enjoyable trip. Highly recommended.

First view of the impressive entry gate of the Tent City.

This photo of the entry gate of the Tent City was taken on the move from the bus on the move.

First view of the impressive entry gate of the Tent City.

This photo of the entry gate of the Tent City was taken on the move from the bus on the move.

First view of the impressive entry gate of the Tent City.

This photo of the entry gate of the Tent City was taken on the move from the bus on the move.

Huge and festive "Ran Utsav" cutout near the reception and bus park at Tent City.

The main entry gate of The Tent City.

The Rann Utsav Tent City in Dhordo, Kutch, is a seasonal, luxurious pop-up township featuring over 350 to 450+ high-quality, air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned tents. Organised in clusters, identified/ named by alphabet, except one cluster, which is named PM Cluster,

Main entry gate of The Tent City.

Welcome by men performing on the stilts and traditional Gujrati folk dances with music of drums and dholak.

Rann Utsav Tent City.

Very well laid out, clean. Nicely signposted. Traditional decor and artworks

Plenty of shopping.

The tower is a very prominent landmark.

Rann Utsav.

One of the shopping complexes.

Reception cum Meeting Hall. Tent City.

Traditional welcome with a 'tilak'.

Reception at Rann Utsav Tent City.

Imposing and beautiful Tower, a very prominent landmark, on the lines of victory towers erected it Chittorgarh and other places.

Rann Utsav Tent City.

Bedroom Premium a/c Tent.

We stayed in one.

Rann Utsav Tent City.

Drawing cum sitting room of our Premium a/c Tent.

Rann Utsav Tent City.

Elevated machan-like structure in the "PM-cluster" where we stayed.

Nice place to spend some peaceful time at dwan and in the evenings.

Also used for private celebrations.

Grass thatched central gazabo and two smaller ones in the background, in PM cluster.

View of outside landscape from an elevated machan-like structure in the "PM-cluster" where we stayed.

On the left is VIP dining. On the right, tents no. 1 and 2 in the PM cluster.

Rann Utsav Tent City.

VIP Dining Hall.

Artwork at Tent City.

The statues showcase traditional Kutchi attire, often representing the local male population wearing turbans (paghadi) and long white coats (angrakha).

Artwork at Tent City.

The image shows traditional sculptures depicting local Kutchi rural life and aesthetics.

Artwork at Tent City.

The large sculptures depict traditional Kutchi figures, representing the local culture and heritage showcased during the festival.

Enjoying the calm, gentle cool breeze. Total relaxation.

Central gazebo, PM cluster Tent City.

Part of the Tent City at night.

On our first day at Tent City, on the way to witness the cultural Show.

On the next two days, we were taken on excursions to Mandova Beach and Kala Dunger, and returned after 9:00 PM.

Did not see any other shows.

Feel short-changed so far as cultural programmes are concerned.

On our first day at Tent City witnessing the cultural show.

The stage was too far to see the facial expressions and the performance properly.

Definitely, viewing can be made better by removing what appears to be a dance floor.

On our first day at Tent City witnessing the cultural show.

The stage was too far to see the facial expressions and the performance properly.

Definitely, viewing can be made better by removing what appears to be a dance floor.

Shifted to the front row when we told them that we were from the Defence Forces. The stage is still a bit too far for proper viewing.

A selfie in the Tent City Bus.

The seats were quite comfortable. The A/C was working in good order.

The bus rides were comfortable.

360-degree view of PM Cluster and its surroundings.

Typical lunch and dinner buffet spread at VIP dining hall.

Typical Sweet/ Dessert served at lunch/ dinner at VIP dining hall.

Haritha Hill Resort (Mayuri), Araku Valley.

We had booked suites, which we were told were the latest addition to the hotel's capacity. These were five round-shaped clusters built in the grove of eucalyptus trees, about 500 meters from the main hotel building. The unpaved approach road, recently planted palm trees on the approach road, raw earth awaiting landscaping, and all were testimony that the suits were a recent addition. The four-poster bed and furniture were all new. So was the telephone installation and the Wi-Fi installation. The problem was that they were non-functional.

The bathroom had no mirror. The work of fitting a mirror was still not complete. During all the years of my travel, this was the first time I would be using and shaving in a bathroom that had no mirror. Hot water was not available. We could not report these problems to the reception as the telephone was not working. We had no alternative but to walk 500 odd meters in the cold to the main building. We were told that there was a major problem and Wi Fi as well as telephones would not be available. Hot water was made available, and about the mirror, they just shrugged to indicate helplessness.

Later, to order dinner, we had to again trudge 500 meters and back to place an order for food. The saving grace was that the food was delivered in the time frame promised. With the non-functional facilities, the suites were not fit for occupation and should never have been offered to the guests. Staff behaviour also left much to be desired. The breakfast the next morning was nothing to write home about

Haritha Hill Resort (Mayuri), Araku Valley, is operated by Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (aptdc). Never thought it would be so bad.

One of the worst stays I ever had.

The SUITES at Haritha Hill Resort, Mayuri. Operated by Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation.

Haritha Hill Resort Mayuri. Operated by aptdc Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation.

Lots of Infrastructural work is going on in Araku Valley. Next to our suites at Mayuri Resort, I think a new railway Station is coming up.

View from the headless female statue.

Haritha Hill Resort Mayuri. Operated by aptdc Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation.

View from the headless female statue.

Lots of Infrastructural work is going on in Araku Valley. Next to our suites at Mayuri Resort, I think a new railway Station is coming up.

View from the headless female statue.

At Mayuri Resort "Suite".

We were told the peculiar round shape of the building is based on the design of tribal huts.

10 February 2026

Kursura Submarine Museum.

Of all the four Naval Museums, the Kursura Submarine Museum is at the extreme North-Eastern end of RK Beach Road and the Sea Harrier Museum at the south-western end.

Generally, people start at either one of them and cover all four museums.

We started from the Kursura Submarine Museum and worked southwards to the Sea Harrier Museum.

The rates for the Kursura Submarine Museum were Rs 100/- per adult. Further reading of the rate list revealed that the entry fee per adult for all four museums was onlyRs 200/-. We bought the tickets for all four museums.

The Kursura Submarine Museum is a real decommissioned Indian Navy submarine, literally manhandled from the sea and brought to its present beach location, which was provided and prepared by VMRDA. The Submarine was extensively reworked for easy access and to make it fit to be presented as a real submarine museum.

One can only guess at the Herculean effort it must have taken to manhandle it on the beach and convert it to a museum.

INS Kursura was a Kalvari-class diesel-electric submarine of the Indian Navy.

Kasura was commissioned on 18 December 1969 and was decommissioned on 27 February 2001 after 31 years of service.

It participated in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, where it played a key role in patrol missions. It later participated in naval exercises with other nations and made many goodwill visits to other countries.

After decommissioning, it was dedicated to the Nation by the Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on 9 August 2002 and was preserved as a museum for public access from 24 August 2002. Kursura has the distinction of being one of the very few submarine museums to retain originality.

Despite being a decommissioned submarine, she still receives the navy's "Dressing Ship" honour, which is usually awarded only to active ships.

Entry in the submarine is so regulated that at one time, only 40 people are allowed inside the Submarine.

Entry is through a door accessed by a steel ladder located at the forward end of the submarine, and exit is through the rear end of the submarine.

During this walk through the entire length of the Kursura, as the public traverses through all of its seven main compartments, which include the torpedo room, crew cabins, and control room, engine compartment, navigation console visitor becomes acutely aware of the lack of space the cramped areas and the closed, clustrophobic surroundings the public becomes aware the harsh and demanding working conditions of a Naval Submariner.

Visiting the Kursura Submarine was an illuminating experience.

To know all about the Kursura, Kaveri Class (variant of the Foxtrot-class) diesel-electric submarine of the Indian Navy, go through the captions of the attached photographs

INS Kursura (S20) was a Kalvari-class (variant of the Foxtrot-class) diesel-electric submarine of the Indian Navy. It was India's fourth submarine. Kursura was commissioned on 18 December 1969 and was decommissioned on 27 February 2001 after 31 years of service. It participated in the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, where it played a key role in patrol missions. It later participated in naval exercises with other nations and made many goodwill visits to other countries.

Only 40 at one time in the submarine.

At the Kursura Museum.

After decommissioning, It was dedicated to the Nation by the Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on 9 August 2002 and was preserved as a museum for public access from 24 August 2002, making its final journey to Visakhapatnam on RK Beach.

The INS Kursura is divided into six main compartments.

These sections showcase the operational and living areas of the former Soviet-built Foxtrot-class submarine, including the torpedo rooms, crew quarters, and galley.

Key Compartments and Features:

Forward & Rear Torpedo Rooms: Houses the submarine's weapon systems.

Living Quarters: Features crew sleeping quarters, captain's cabin, and dining areas.

Operational Areas: Includes engines, pumps, and surveillance equipment.

INS Kursura has a length of 91.3 m (300 ft) overall, a beam of 7.5 m (25 ft) and a draught of 6 m (20 ft). She displaces 1,950 t (1,919 long tons) surfaced, 2,475 t (2,436 long tons) submerged, and has a maximum diving depth of 985 ft (300 m).

The crew complement is about 75, including 8 officers and 67 sailors.

Armament 10 × 533 mm (21 in) torpedo tubes with 22 Type 53 torpedoes

Inside INS Kursura. Operational Compartment.

Forward Torpedo Room: Houses the submarine's weapon systems.

The whole space is jam-packed. Totally cramped.

Inside INS Kursura.Operational Compartment.

Forward Torpedo Room: Houses the submarine's weapon systems.

Lack of free room

The loo on board INS Kursura. The loo. Just about fits. No elbow room 😊

Entering another of the six compartments.

Inside INS Kursura. Top, bottom and all sides, all full of pipes, cables and other equipment.

Inside INS Kursura. Loo on one side, wash-'space' on the other side. Tight fit here as well.

Note the terminology, 'space' & not 'basin'.

Inside INS Kursura.

Operational Area includes engines, pumps, and surveillance equipment.

Inside INS Kursura.

Operational Area includes engines, pumps, and surveillance equipment.

N6 10M Sonar set(Passive) to detect ships and submarines by their underwater noise.

Living Quarters: Includes crew sleepingquarters, captain's cabin, and dining areas

These are spread all over the sbumrine. Wherever they found space, they put the beds.

Living Quarters: Two on the left side, four on the right side. These are spread all over the sbumrine. Wherever they found space, they put the beds. Living Quarters includes crew sleeping quarters, the captain's cabin, and dining areas.