By the time we neared Bora Cvaes, it was well past 1 PM, and all of us were famished.
Prashant was very keen to try out the Bamboo chicken Biryani. Marinated chicken, spices and rice mixture are stuffed in a hollow bamboo piece, and then put in the fire. From experience, the cooks know when the biryani will be ready for serving. The aroma of the bamboo imparted to the biryani has made this dish famous in the area.
Our driver took us to this place, the Tulsai Hotel, close to and on the approach road to the Bora Caves.
It was crowded and almost full, so they found one of the empty tables after a short wait. If the crowd was an indicator, the place appeared to be well patronised.
We ordered the Bamboo chicken Biryani, and a veg biryani was also ordered for Tats and Jaya.
The Bamboo chicken Biryani was quite good.
The ambiance etc is far from what one is used to in 3 to 5-star hotels, but the crowds and the noise, hustle and bustle in Tulasi Hotel create its own ambience.
Link to the video on how the Bamboo chicken Biryani is served is given below
https://1drv.ms/v/c/34a943f0d162c11d/IQBslktQHrZfSacLUdmRPkMXASC3bUcYPW1Fbep1NtfZpO8?e=Kf3N9T
Suset point. White Rann. White Dessert View Point 2.
As per our booking, the itinerary for day one was arrival, Check-in formalities, lunch and at 5:30 PM departure for Sunset Point in the White Rann in an A/C bus from the bus parking.
White Rann, or White Desert of Rann, as it is known, lies north of the Tent City.
We exited Tent City through the gate and the guard post near the PM cluster and crossed White Desert Road.
For a minor road in the rural Gujrat, this road carries a surprisingly large amount of traffic, 24X7, mostly huge dumper trucks and large 12- to 16-wheeler trucks, all carrying salt produced in the salt pans of the white rann. Besides carrying all that traffic, this road, which is a blacktop road, is a clear-cut dividing line between the desolate and barren desert of White Rann to the North of the road and the villages with a productive population and greenery of the babul trees all around to the south of the road. The contrast is stark and truly astonishing.
As you cross the road and progress deeper in the White Rann, initially, there are small trees, shrubs and patches of grass. Within 100 meters or so in the white Rann, all the shrubs and grass patches give way to very fine whiteish-looking sandy soil. Thereafter, as far as the eyes can see, there is not a blade of grass, trees or any habitation, and this can be clearly seen in the video attached.
The bus dropped us about a kilometre and a half in the white Rann. A few camel carts were waiting at the bus stop. The framework and mattresses, etc., of the carts are all covered with a cloth with a patchwork of cloths which creates a riot of colours. Due to this colourful patchwork, mirror work and colourful tassels, these camel carts have a very decorated and festive look.
These camel carts take you about a kilometre to Sunset View Point in the White Rann.
The Tent City has erected a permanent big three-dimensional letters reading “ RANNUTSAV”, and every day in the evening, guests are brought to this ‘sunset point’.
Enterprising persons have taken advantage and started providing adventure sports in the form of motorised parasailing, local attire for people to dress up and get photographed, and a gadget with a circular rotating platform to create a ‘reel’. The general atmosphere is very much like a village ‘mela’ with everyone having a good time.
We saw some people on a bund and decided to join them to see what lies on the other side. Through the muddy trench and loose gravel, we dared to climb the bund. The seawater was trapped behind a huge area enclosed by bunds to produce salt as the trapped seawater evaporates and leaves behind layers of salt, which seems to be big business around here.
I had seen photos of White Rann where the ground looked as white as it would look after a snowfall, and so I was expecting vast expanses of snow-white ground. What I saw was that though the ground looked white, it was a dull white made up by very fine soil/sand all around and not the pure whiteness of the salt.
Even though you are taken to what is called sunset point, the whole area of White Rann is so flat without any structures or trees or high-rise obstructions that you have a very clear and unobstructed view of the horizon, and the whole of White Rann is a big, big sunset and sunrise viewpoint.
Visibility was not too good. Plenty of clouds. It was doubtful if we would be able to see the sunset, so we got on the camel cart for the bus stop and returned to the tent city.
Overall, nice outing with a little bit of adventure in climbing the bund.
Video taken from the bus. On the way to White Rann Sunset Viewpoint.Within a short distance all the shrubs and grass patches are replaced ny whitish fine sand.
Bus drop point at white Rann.
From here, one gets on to nicely and colourfully decorated camel carts which take you further about a kilometre to Sunset View Point in the White Rann.
Bus drop point at white Rann.
From here, one gets on to nicely and colourfully decorated camel carts which take you further about a kilometre to Sunset View Point in the White Rann.
Bus drop point at white Rann.
From here, one gets on to nicely and colourfully decorated camel carts which take you further about a kilometre to Sunset View Point in the White Rann.
The Tent City has erected a permanent big three-dimensional letters reading “ RANN UTSAV”, a photo shoot point
Though it looks white, it is whitish sand all around and not the pure whiteness of the salt as I have seen in many photos of the White Rann.
Few people could be seen a couple of kilometres further, near the horizon. Maybe the White Rann was really pure white of the salt deep in the white rann around where they were.
Selfie at Sunset Point. White Rann.
The bund behind which is the trapped sea water.
Sun Set Point. White Rann.
Literally a riot of colours, the patchwork, the mirror work, the colourful tassels all go to make up a very decorated and festive-looking camel cart.
Sun Set Point. White Rann.
Trapped sea water behind a huge area enclosed by such bunds.
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.
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.
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.
