Imagine you are walking on the White Rann – a great expanse of stark white salt plains illuminated by a glorious full moon. The air is shimmering with diamonds wafting up from the earth, and you stop to think, “Is it a fantasy, a dream or a mirage?” You can’t be sure though your GPS is showing Dhorodo in the Great Rann of Kutch, just 85 km from Bhuj in Gujrat.
The Rann of Kutch is one of the world’s largest seasonal salt marshes stretching for about 30,000 square km in the Thar desert in Kutch, India and in Sindh, Pakistan. Once under the Arabian Sea until a geological uplift closed off the connection of the sea and left behind a vast lake – it turns into a salt desert in the dry months and gets filled with water in the monsoon months (standing at an average 15 m above sea level).
The locals believe that the Rann changes its moods with the changing hour of the day. In bright daylight it looks like a white desert and transforms into an orange-crimson vista as the sun sets. On full moon nights, it is at its resplendent best as it unfolds into a soft blue shimmery vision. I can vouch for it because I was there and no amount of pictures can prepare you for the real thing.
When the flight landed at the small and quaint Bhuj Airport on the eve of a full moon night, it was anything but dull. Teeming with people, the billboards proclaimed “Rann nahi dekha toh kuch nahi dekha” as I headed to the luggage belt. It took me a moment to realise that standing next to me were Pranoy Roy and Radhika Roy, the first couple of television news. Their presence was like a validation that I was at the right place at the right time.
Bags in hand, I got into the cab and headed for the tent city of Rann Utsav at Dhorodo. As the miles went by on a straight road cutting through Kutch, I got into a conversation with the cab driver and took his recommendations on what to see in the villages around.
We reached the entrance of the Tent City from where I got into a battery operated cart. It took me to my place of stay – a beautifully done up Swiss tent. I didn’t spend much time looking around as I wanted to reach the White Rann by 8.30 – the start of the viewing of the full moon from the BSF check-post about 2 km away.
Once there, I got out of the vehicle and walked onto the kilometre long tarmac flanked by the White Rann on either sides. The night sky was lit up by an enormous moon and there was stillness and silence all around.
At one point, I got off the straight and narrow road, and started walking on the salty surface. It was a surreal experience. The White Rann makes a crackling sound when you walk on it but is wet to the touch when you feel it. Simply put – it is hard salt and soft mud.
I felt like I was walking on a sea that was emanating shimmering sparkles. It was all around me, as far as my eyes could see. There was no sense of distance or space or time as I felt suspended in the timelessness of this stark land. The sense of peace was all encompassing and all pervasive as it soaked into the very depths of my being.
I have no recollection how long I was there or how far my mind wandered off, but at some point I turned around to where the vehicles were lined up to head back. The tent city was twinkling with inviting lights and the strains of folk music in the Kachhi night.
The next morning, I went back to the White Rann again. I needed to see it in the daylight to understand the full impact of what I had experienced the night before. The salt plains stretched into the horizon, and as I started walking on the White Rann, the crunching of my footsteps echoed in the air. I remembered a fragment of a William Wordsworth poem, “The silence that is in the starry sky”. I understood the moment I had lived on the full moon night. It was my Bodhi tree and it would stay with me for life.
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Picture Credit : Rashmi B. Nayar
Picture Credit : Kavitha Kanarparthi & Globeracers
Reading your write up has made me add another destination to my Bucket List. I loved the way you played around with your words in describing the beauty of The Rann.
Wishing more power to your pen Rashmi. 👏👏👏
Thank you so much for writing in Col Bawa. Honestly, words aren’t enough to do justice to Kutch, but I’m so glad this has made you want you to go there to see it for yourself. Thank you again.
Beautifully written! Reawakens my desire to visit the salt desert.
Thanks a lot for writing in Preeti. I would definitely recommend doing this with the RPR group…it will truly be epic, I assure you 🙂 Thank you so much again for your feedback.
Wow! You sold it better than AB’s baritone! Have to make a trip now 👍👍👍
Thank you so much Rajni. Wow…there’s no higher compliment than being matched with the dreamy baritone of Mr Bachchan! Thank you for that…you made my year❤️
Awesome! Makes it top of my TO Do List !!! Deserts are always magical on full moon nights…. Can’t even begin to imagine the salt desert…. 🤩
Thank you so much for writing in Bandna. Knowing your love for deserts – cold and hot both- I am very sure I’ll be looking at Kutch in your artwork when you see it for yourself. P.S. If you need company, let me know :)) Thank you again for your feedback.
Described and written so well , now it’s definitely on my bucket list.
Thank you so much for writing in Shonu. Seriously, let’s do this – even if it’s too “dry” for the boys – the girls should go. Thank you again for your feedback.
Rann of Kutch is on my bucket list. In fact had bought air tickets made other arrangements, then got snowed in.
Thanks for letting me see it thru your camera and write up.
Well written
Thank you so much Himani. The traveller in you will love its stark expanse and getting to explore a completely different landscape and the people. Must do this. Thank you again for your feedback.
Rashmi….the Rann of Kutch,Dhorodo has always been magical….your excellent narrative has substantiated that beyond words….I love the way you pen your thoughts ….as Lady Wordsworth you have established your credentials beyond doubt….keep them coming
Thank you so much for the hugest compliment Gen Chetinder :)) I will have to give the credit to the effect of the moonlit Rann. I’m completely enamored by the Rann of Kutch, and have written about another fascinating place – the Gurudwara at Lakhpat. After reliving it’s memories with this write-up, I hope I can go there soon. Thank you again for the wonderful feedback.
Thank you Rashmi – another to do on my list of places to visit in India … very well written article
Thank you so much Kajal. I’m certain that once you’ve seen the Rann, you’ll want to capture its beauty through your beautiful paintings. Thank you writing.
Rashmi your description has made it seem so magical. I think a visit is a must to experience what you have penned. Loved going through your article.
Thank you so much for writing Aunty Lorraine. The beauty of the Rann is so unique and spectacular that it should definitely be a once in a lifetime experience. Thank you again for your encouragement.
Beautifully written Mrs Nayar!I need to visit it Asap…..loved the way u have described the beauty of The Rann….luvd ur article.
Thanks so much Aditi. I’m so glad I was able to bring the beauty of the Rann to you. To be honest, it’s difficult for words to do complete justice to its spectacular beauty, it definitely should be on your bucket list. Thank you again for writing.
Your words have brought the magic of the Rann to everyone, thank you so much Rashmi.
Thanks so much for writing Preeti. It truly is a magical land, though somewhat harsh in its stark expanse, the rawness calls out to you. Thanks again for your feedback.
Fantasy , dream , mirage ! Wooooo , stealing your words to feel the wonder land. What a great lifetime experience that would have been. You are a pucca story teller. Such vivid description is rare to come by . Loved your narration. You scripted it well to entice me and its on my list for sure.
Well done Rashmi. Looking fwd to more of your travel tales.
Thank you so much for the amazing words of appreciation and encouragement Maj Datta. I am absolutely certain that you will love the Rann knowing your love for the great outdoors. Somehow, staying in the tent city captures the vibe better, maybe because it rekindles the memories of ‘tambu’ days, except that these are way more comfortable and fancy of course…though the lantern hanging outside was the exact same as I remembered from good ol days :)) Thank you again for writing.
You have skilfully woven a magical narrative of the Rann …so bewitching, so enticing…can’t wait to visit.
Thank-you for sharing with us, Missy !
Thank you so much for the appreciation Priya. You will surely love the Rann knowing your spirit of adventure. It should definitely be on your bucket list for the unique and spectacular experience it is. Thank you again for writing.
I’ve literally walked on shimmering diamonds under the star spangled moonlit sky and revelled at the vast expanse of white salt sand. Your writing ability is par excellence Rashmi B Nayyar. I’m completely sold on the Rann.
Thank you so much for the encouragement Tinky. You will fall in love with the Rann’s stark beauty I am very sure. Its rawness calls out and leaves its echo in the soul. Thank you again for writing.
Absolutely lovely article. And loved the photographs too. Added this place to my bucket list Cos you have brought it to life and made it a must visit place. Keep sharing stories of more such offbeat places.
Thank you so much Amol. I’m glad I was able to do justice to the spectacular and raw beauty of the Rann. It should definitely be on your bucket list as a road trip with your love for adventure. Thank you again for the appreciation.
Wow .. sounds ethereal .. beautiful .. will def try n do this sometime .. 👍🏻🥰😉
Thank you so much Dipali. It is all that and more – serene and peaceful. You will love it. Thank you again for writing.
Beautifully described and narrated
Mesmerizing (nostalgic for me) trip . Definitely want to do it again .
Written so well Rashmi…. ethereal n beautiful that’s how u made the place feel…
Love the description and style.
Rann of Kutch is on my bucket list.
Few years ago had done the reservations etc., but couldn’t make it because of snowfall in shimla.
Your experience put forward in beautiful words ! Makes me all the more committed to be at Raan of Kutch at least for once in my lifetime !