Bhuj is a walled city in the western most part of the country, situated in the Kutch district of the state of Gujarat. Bhuj was founded by a local ruler by the name of Maharao Hamir in 1510. Local rulers built the walls around the city in 1723. It is the head quarter for the Kutch district & a commercial center for wheat, barley, cotton, handicrafts, silver etc for the surrounding areas. Bhuj offers travelers a potpourri of desert culture, tradition & heritage, rich colours & a rustic lifestyle. Bhuj is about 300 kms from Ahmedabad. Bhuj is best known for its traditional handicrafts, embroidery & Kutchi architecture. Best For:
It is best to visit the city during the desert festival known as Rann Utsav held in Feb/March. The best handicrafts are displayed during this festival along with various cultural events & tours of the city. This usually coincides with the Hindu festival of Shivratri.
The best time to visit Bhuj is in winters. The summer is harsh because of its proximity to the Great Rann of Kutch to its north and the Small Rann to its west, which is vast, sandy, and dry. The region experiences torrential rain in monsoon. During summer (April to June) temperature soars upto 45°C. Monsoon hit the city by June & lasts until August.
Winter is mild & it is best to visit Bhuj between October & February. Night temperature drops considerably so it is best to be equipped with suitable winter clothes.
Changing money is not very easy in Bhuj. Very few places offer money exchanging facilities.
State Bank of India on Station Road is one of them. Hotel Prince also exchanges money for its guests.
No permit is required to travel to Bhuj other than a visa for India. The consumption of alcohol is prohibited in Gujarat. Non-Indians can get a permit from the Government to buy & consume alcohol legally.
Where To Eat:
Gujarati or Rajasthani cuisine is the best choice for food at Bhuj although other cuisine is also available.
Where To Stay:
There are many mid and low budget hotels in Bhuj. There is very limited choice for high-end hotels. Hotel Prince & Garha Safari Lodge are the 3 star hotels in Bhuj. Most of the hotels are located around the New Station Road.
Air
Bhuj has a domestic airport with flights operating to Mumbai & Ahmedabad. Indian Airlines & Jet airways operate flights to Mumbai everyday. The best way to reach Bhuj from other cities in the country is to take a flight to Ahmedabad or Mumbai & then fly to Bhuj.
Rail
Bhuj is well connected to Ahmedabad, Mumbai, Delhi & other major cities by trains. There are direct trains to Bhuj from Ahmedabad & Mumbai. One has to travel from Ahmedabad via Palanpur (491 km-Rajasthan border- 16 hrs) or from Gandidham (300 km- 7 hrs) to reach Bhuj. Both Palanpur & Gandhidham are well connected to most major towns in Gujarat. The Kutch Express operates from Mumbai to Bhuj everyday. Bhuj BDTS Express connects Mumbai & Bhuj via Ahmedabad. Ala Hazrat Express connects Delhi & Bhuj (available 4 days in a week)
Road
State transport buses and private luxury coaches connect various centres of Gujarat. Bhuj is connected by State highway upto Bhachau to Ahmedabad by national highway No. 8A (310 Kms) A number of private luxury bus operators have their offices around the bus stand. There are regular buses to Rajkot (6 hrs), Ahmedabad (7 hrs), Mumbai (18 hrs) & other cities in Gujarat & a few places in Rajasthan. There are regular services to the nearby villages of Kutch also.
Bhuj is known for its temples, forts & palaces built in the Kutchi architectural style. Bhuj is also well known for its handicrafts & embroidery. The houses in Bhuj are decorated on the exterior as well as interior with mud & mirrors, a really pretty sight. The tourist spots worth a visit are
· Aina Mahal- Also known as Palace of Mirrors. Aina Mahal is a beautiful palace built in the 18th century. It is a reflection of typical Kutchi architecture. The Hall of Mirrors & the Pleasure Pool are breath-taking sites. The Hall of Mirrors is made of white marble covered with mirrors & the Pleasure pool is lined with tiles and has fountains operated by elaborate pumps. There is a museum within the Aina Mahal, which has a good collection of miniature paintings, glasswork & wooden carving, clothes & jewellery of the royal family.
·Cenotaphs Complex: Also known as Chattardi, is built with red stones and is polygonal in shape with balconies. The cenotaph built for Rao Lakha is the most impressive. These cenotaphs were built as memorial ground for the royal family.
· Kutch Museum is another tourist spot. It is the oldest museum in the state of Gujarat & has a good collection of artifacts. Earlier known as the Ferguson Museum named after its founder Sir James Ferguson the museum gives us an insight into the culture & history of Bhuj. The museum near Hamir sagar was a private exhibit for the Maharaos until independence.
·The Prag Mahal, The Sarad Bagh Palace, the Swaminarayan Temple, Bharatiya Sanskriti Darshan Kachch (folk museum) are other places to visit in Bhuj.
