Kutch

A summer palace named after Yuvraj Shri Vijayaraj, the heir of this kingdom makes Vijaya Vilas Palace one of Kutch's famous places. Beautifully made from the red sandstone, this palace offers some of the most exquisite stone carvings and tile work. It is an excellent work of artisans from various parts of India manifesting the vestiges of religious aesthetics in the palace. Expanded over 45 acres of land, this palace embraces royalty offering splendid views. Palace has its own beautiful private beach and air-conditioned accommodation where the royal family of the Kutch state reside in the present time. Location: Vijay Vilas Palace Road, District Kutch, Mandvi Rural, Gujarat 370465Price: Rs 20 for person, Rs 50 for camera and Rs 10 for vehicleTiming: 9 AM to 1 PM and 3 PM to 6 PM on all days except Thursday.

Wondering where to visit while you are in the largest district of India, Kutch? Well, remember to visit Kalo Dungar situated at the height of 1516 feet above sea level, offering a spectacle of the desert and sky melting into each other's arms and becoming one. The vastness you witness here defines infinity, and the panoramic view of the Great Rann of Kutch is truly a feast for the eyes. Kalo Dungar, a Gujarati term translated to English denotes the Black Hills, hence standing true to the mesmerizing vision. With a history of Lord Dattatreya devoted to this place, it bestows it with a distinctive beauty and a sacred temple worth visiting. Location: Khavda, Kutch DistrictPrice: Rs 100Timing: 6 AM to 6 PMBest Time to Visit: October to February

Originally established as the Kutch School of Arts, the Kutch Museum is replete with folk arts, ancient artefacts and insights about the tribal people. With an Italian Gothic architecture, the palace welcomes you with eleven major galleries catering to varied sections and is one of the prominent places to visit in Kutch. With an Italian Gothic style architecture, the museum captures your attention as soon as you lay your eyes on it. The 11 major galleries in the museum cater to different sections, like anthropology, archaeology, textiles, weapons, music instruments, shipping and stuffed animals.The statue of ‘Airavata’ is also an attraction here. Location: Opposite Hamirsar lake, Ghanshyam Nagar, Bhuj, Gujarat 370001 Price: Rs 5 for Indians, Rs 50 for foreigners and an additional Rs 100 for camera.Timing: 10 AM to 1 PM and 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM on all days except Wednesday and public holidays.

Who doesn't love beaches? With the sound of the gushing water and sunsets to die for, Mandvi beach is one of the favourite tourist places to visit in Kutch. An old historic port town and also a trading centre, it will hold you spellbound with its inebriating breeze and graceful flamingos. It is also a perfect spot for the adventure lovers since it offers various water sports here. Not only that, you can also enjoy horse riding and some of the most delectable dishes from the food stalls around the beach. You sure wouldn’t want to miss out on its rich history and the attracting windmills. Location: Around 64 km from Bhuj district, Mandvi Rural, GujaratTiming: Open 24 hoursBest Time to Visit: October to March

The majestic grandeur and charm of the Swaminarayan Temple makes it one of the Kutch's famous places. With stunning white marble on its facade and the enduring idols, this temple is a striking example of robustness. It is one of the 7 temples that Swaminarayan established himself as a place of spirituality. Along with the entire life history of Swaminarayan, the temple also contains audio, kirtan and spiritual collections suitable for Vaishnav followers. It has a really pious atmosphere filling the hearts of everyone who visits here with peace and contentment. This temple is a place you should not miss out on when visiting Bhuj,Location: Police Station, Tirth Dham, Shree Swaminarayan Road, Opp City, Bhuj, Gujarat 370001Price: FreeTiming: 5:30 AM to 10 PMBest Time to Visit: October to March.

Behold the remnants of Harappan civilization, walking you through the history of its rise and fall in the seven stages. Witness this archaeological site and travel to a world of the past which is worth harking back to. Dholavira is also very famous for its water management system which allowed it to proper amidst an arid stretch. It is spread over a 100 hectares of land and shows continuous evolution. Dholavira has been studied and some interesting facts about the Harappan Civilization have been revealed. It also a major attraction among the tourists because of its intriguing excavations of the civilization. Location: Khadir Bet, Kutch DistrictPrice: Free Timing: 6 AM to 8 PMBest Time to Visit: October to March

Aina Mahal, also known as Hall of Mirrors, bewitches the tourists with its Venetian-style chandeliers, silver objects, scroll paintings and jewelled swords. The association of this place with the story of its architect Ramsinh Malam, who was taken to the Netherlands to master the art of tile making, emanelling and clock making, adds to the magnitude of this remarkable palace. There is also a museum manifesting paintings, photographs and royal possessions. It is one of the well-known places to visit in Kutch. Built during the rule of Lakhpatji, it possesses an Indo-saracenic architecture which makes it unique and attractive, taking  your breath away.Location: Maharao Of Kutch, Darbargadh Chowk, Bhuj, Gujarat 370001 Price: Rs 20 for person and Rs 30 for cameraTiming: 9 AM to 12 Noon and 3 PM to 6 PM on all days except Thursday. However, it only costs youBest Time to Visit: October to March

Being the first marine conservatory in India, Marine National Park is one of the well-known places to visit in Kutch. It offers a surreal experience to anyone who visits this aquatic world of coral reefs, starfishes, sea urchins and many more. Distributed in 42 scattered islands in an archipelago, Marine National Park is a home to endangered aquatic animals protecting them from poachers. With about 108 species of red, brown and green algae and 70 species of sponges, the park is  one of the main attractions among the tourists. Housing innumerable species of living beings and most of them being visible to the eye, this conservatory is a must visit if someone wants to experience nature in its true essence. It is recommended to hire a guide  when visiting the Marine National Park in order to ensure a rich and smooth experience. Location: Asha Marudi, Gujarat 361330Price: Rs 150 per personTiming: 8 AM to 6 PM on all days Best Time to Visit: October to June