Kutch Nahi Dekha To Kuchh Nahi Dekha

After being to USA and visiting few many places there and exploring American culture, I have strong desire of exploring our own country which is rich in natural beauty and culture.

I had seen photos of my neighbor’s visit to Rann Utsav and I was fascinated to visit same. I started planning to visit same along with my sister, but somehow it didn’t work out. The year passed and I was disappointed that none of my travel plans was working out. And finally in month of Feb ryon final week of Rann Utsav we decided to visit Kutch.

If its Rann Utsav I had already decided to stay at tent city and what mesmerizing experience it was.

We got down at Bhuj railway station at 8:50 am and headed towards reception tents just outside the railway station. Our luggage was checked in and we were welcomed with some snacks and tea which was much needed. We boarded bus to Tent City which was around 150 km far from railway station. On the way we saw airbase and military base of Indian Armed Force… Dekhake bas ji bhar aaya… It was a road through desert. Horizon to horizon there was flat ground nothing on it other than some cactus.

We took halt at dairy stall where we got the local special tea.

We reached the Tent City which was no less than palace. The reception area itself as so grand, decorated with local handicrafts. After nominal formalities we were directed to our tent. The Tent City had total of 400 tents distributed among clusters. Our luggage was already inside our tent.

Overall ambiance of tent was not less than Shamiyana of some king in old days. Even in desert there was plenty of water supply that was feel proud aspect for me. There were two food areas where unlimited and variety of food was served for breakfast, lunch, snacks and dinner. Entire Tent City was built up and decorated with local art showcasing the culture at Kutch.
In the evening we went to White Rann to see the Sunset.

White Rann is desert of white sea salt. It was absolutely beautiful site. No words to express it. Its my first experience to see desert. So, I was absolutely speechless. In the evening we visited Rann Utsav which was almost over, very few stalls were running since it was final weekend and end of the Utsav. We returned to the Tent City and after dinner went to cultural activity area and enjoyed various performances of local artists, they were outstanding.

Next day we got up early morning to visit sunrise at White Rann. It was visual treat. We returned to The Tent City and explored it little more. There were stalls for some activities like paintball, shooting, cycling, etc. In the evening we boarded bus to visit Kala Dungar the highest point of Kutch from where Indo-Pak border is visible. On the way we visited some village known for handicrafts. We saw their circular homes made of clay called as Bhunga. Sunset from Kala Dungar is delight to watch, due to reflection you can see double sun while sunset. There is magnetic field on the way to Kala Dungar.

Third day was our final day at Kutch. We checked out from Tent City and hired a car to visit Mandavi. The drive to Mandavi was equally scenic. On the way we visited Jain Temple. We visited

Vijay Villa palace which is just a masterpiece then visited Madavi Beach. The driver was very good and was guiding us through and giving info about local stuff. We returned to Bhuj. There was Bhuj band on that Monday to protest Pulwama attack. During entire trip the beauty around me refrained me from concentrating on camera features to click best pics and the best images are in my memory.
With mesmerizing memories we boarded train back to Mumbai and yes how can I forget the lovely two Maharashtrian senior citizen couples I met in the train who made my return journey memorable.
Do visit Rann Utsav, do stay at Tent City or Bhunga !!

Happy Women’s Day…. My mother my super hero…

8th May is celebrated as women’s international day. On this event I came across with many articles, advertises, posts but the one video I loved it. A small baby drawing pic her working mom in office attire dropping her in school being her superhero and that reminds me my childhood. Yup, my mother is my superhero.

My mother always was independent lady, she supported her family, she did not overlook her duties towards kids, husband, in-laws, siblings and friends. She was always asked ‘Oh! You don’t have son’, but she never had that question in her mind. She cultivated not only thought of earning bread butter for self but making our own identity which was her incomplete dream. She led by example. She faced lots of odds but never gave up on values.

Even now people don’t understand girls don’t want to work only to earn money that can be their passion. And I got it from my mother. Even at the age to 72, she is active social worker which she has been throughout her life. She has always been ahead of time.

If I can do 10% of what she has done I will consider it as my life time achievement.

And yes to add to it, she used to drive the car as well.