Famous Place of Historical Kutch
Aaina Mahal - Bhuj
This is a beautiful museum, built in the 18th century as the palace of Maharao Lakhpatji. It has a Hall of Mirrors with white marble walls covered with mirrors and gilded ornaments; the floor is lined with tiles with a platform above it surrounded by a series of fountains. The room also has a chandelier of Venetian glass. It lies in the old part of the city, in a small, fortified courtyard and houses some very rare idols.
Prag Mahal - Bhuj
Constructed in 1979, the Prag Mahal is a magnificent building made of ornate Italian marble and sandstone. Its Corinthian pillars and Jali work depicting European flora and fauna are worth observing.
Hodka - Cultural Heritage of Kutch
Hodak cultural village is situated in the Kutch District of Gujarat. Hodka is 53 kms. from Bhuj towards Khavada. Hodka is located in the Banni Grassland, right on the edge of the great salt desert - the Rann. The village is a cluster of houses situated close to each other. 7 to 8 families live in a cluster. The village is famous for its craft like Decorative Mirrors, Lamps, Hand Fans, Letter Boxes, Wall Hanging, Lather, Clay, Wood, Metal and Mud work especially the exquisite silver jewellary. The artisans sell their goods directly from their artistic huts which are popularly known as Bhungas.
Accommodation at Shaam-e-Sarhad, Hodka:
Tents and traditional Bhungas, both with attached bathrooms and running hot and cold water. Traditional food is served.
Other services like pickup and drop facilities to and from Bhuj, local guides available.
For more details, please visit website: www.hodka.in.
E-mail: info@hodka.in
Cenotaphs Complex
A popular site is the cenotaphs complex at Chattaradi. These are built of red stones. Of all the tombs here the largest and the finest is the one of Rao Lakha built in 1770. It's polygonal in shape with balconies and an intricately carved roof. Other impressive cenotaphs are the ones of Rao Rayadhan, Rao Desai and Rao Pragmal.
Mandvi
Mandvi, founded in 1581 A.D. is an ancient seaport. It is well known for its production of handicraft items particularly its relief, filigree and enamel work and its virtually unspoilt sea beaches. The Rukmavati bridge is the longest stone bridge, built in 1883 A.D. and the Vijay Vilas palace are the major tourist spots in this destination.
Mandvi is situated about 75 kms. from Bhuj.
Anjar
Anjar is mainly known for the samadhi (tomb) of Jesal Toral, and the bungalow of James Mcmurdo, which is a veritable museum of Kutchi Art. Places worth visiting are the Ajaypal Temple, the Holy Shrine of Pinjora Pir.
Anjar is also famous for its block printing work, nutcrackers, scissors and penknives.
Kakkad Bhit Yaksha
A few kilometers from Puraneshwar, it's located along the highway on a hillock with 72 idols of yakshas or jakhs.
The jakhs were people of Greek or Iranian origin believed to have reached the coast of Gujarat as the result of a shipwreck. The memorial at Kakkad Bhit is created in honour of their many acts of sacrifice and bravery of the local people, against the oppression of the then ruler Punara.
A big fair is held here every year.
Dholavira
Known for its large Indus settlement, Dholavira (discovered in 1967) lies in the northwest corner of Khadir, a large island surrounded by the Rann of Kutch.
The first settlers arrived here from the Indus valley more than 5000 years ago. There are several bare Harappan houses and silent cenotaphs, which remain mute spectators to a once glorious past.
The most interesting discovery of Dholavira is the large inscription, comprising of ten letters in the Indus script, each letter engraved on slices of crystalline material.
Dholavira is situated about 445 kms. from Ahmedabad, via Mehsana/Radhanpur/Rapar.
Lakhpat
This ghost town is 151 kms. from Bhuj airport and boasts a beautiful landscape. Cenotaphs and memorial stones outside the town add a charm to it. Due to the harsh climatic conditions, most people have deserted the town.
Surrounded by a protective wall, the town has a few old temples, gurudwaras and mosques. From the vantage point on the wall, one can get a breathtaking view of the sea and the Rann. It is today deserted, desolate, uninhabited, and invokes powerful nostalgia and soulful affection.
Among the ruins stand the Gurudwara (holy shrine of the Sikh religion). The 200-year old, gigantic tomb of Ghosh Mohammed Kaba and many other places with ancient stories to tell.
