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White Christmas: Celebrating Amidst the Sands of Kutch

Are Snow and Sand very different? Maybe if you're a GoT fan, but not if you're visiting the Rann of Kutch!

There isn't just one kind of White Christmas. This year, imagine yourself celebrating amidst a sea of white sand instead of in snow – think of an unearthly landscape, the salt flats stretching endlessly in every direction, wintery winds brushing against your skin. You are standing in the Great Rann of Kutch, the salt-flat desert in the Kutch region of Gujarat.


The Rann of Kutch is utterly beautiful in the winter, which is why Gujarat holds a white desert festival, Rann Utsav, every December. Plunge yourself into the celebration of colourful culture and vibrant heritage, all set against the breathtaking backdrop of snow-white salt marshes.

Table of Contents:

  • Gaze at the Stars
  • Immerse Yourself in the Culture of Kutch
  • Capture Every Moment
  • Have Some Contemporary Fun
  • Where to Stay
  • Travel Tips for your Rann Utsav trip

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Gaze at the Stars

This year, the Dark Moon night (the phase of the lunar cycle where the moon crescent is barely visible) falls on the 23rd of December. What makes this night special is the incredible opportunity for stargazing. Since light pollution is low, you will get detailed views of the deep sky. What could be better than spending Christmas Eve standing beneath a star-filled sky with your loved ones? After all, as Burton Hills wrote, you'll have 'the best of all gifts around any Christmas tree: the presence of a happy family all wrapped up in each other'.


The Rann of Kutch is one of India's most popular stargazing sites. Most Christmases, you put a bright star on the Christmas tree, right? This year, you can gaze at the Milky Way with naked eyes on Dark Moon night (23 December 2022), while standing amidst the white sands of Kutch. Wouldn't that be incredible? With zero moonlight interference, the sky is a dazzling sea of stars. The starlight reflects off the salt crystals of the desert – a stunning sight.

Immerse Yourself in the Culture of Kutch

The Rann Utsav offers an opportunity to enjoy the vibrant culture of Kutch. You can watch distinctive folk dances performed by local artists, including dancers from unique tribes like the Siddi community. Traditional Indian and classical music is performed live by local Kutch artists. Supporting these local communities is a lovely way to spread some Christmas cheer.


Get into the spirit of gifting and buy souvenirs from the art and craft bazaar showcasing local handicraft art like Rogan art, metalwork, carving, Bandhani design, block printing, and weaving. Jewellery, ethnic clothing, and decor items – each piece is a unique creation crafted with immense care using traditional methods. For a signature local experience, take a camel ride into the desert! Accompanied by a guide, you and your trusty dromedary can explore the different hues of the salt flats.


When your adventures leave you hungry, we recommend forgoing your traditional Christmas dinner of roast turkey in favour of the scrumptious traditional food of Kutch.

Capture Every Moment

Take your camera wherever you go – from wide tracts of pristine sand to colourful dances and rich handicrafts, the Rann of Kutch is a shutterbug's paradise. It doesn't matter whether you are an amateur or a professional; you'll find tons of photography opportunities at the Rann Utsav. Capture your loved ones by opening their Christmas gifts in the morning, as the first light of the sun falls on the salt marshes. Snap pictures of your friends and family against the backdrop of the stunning sunrise view.

Have Some Contemporary Fun

Kutch isn't all about tradition, though – you can make your Christmas Eve thrilling by ATV biking through the white sands! If you love hitting the spa, you can de-stress and rejuvenate yourself with a deeply relaxing massage at the ReMedi Spa in the tent city. For kids, the Rann Utsav offers plenty of activities, from jumping on trampolines to playing chess. Keep your kids busy with exercise, or have them write a letter to Santa describing how they're celebrating Christmas in a white sand desert!

Where to Stay

Rann Utsav offers a luxurious tent city experience situated at Dhordo, a town close to Rann of Kutch. The white tents arrayed across the white sands will remind you of igloos in the snowy terrain. The tents are fully equipped and will keep you warm. If you like travelling in style, you can choose to have an indulgent glamping experience in the premium and deluxe tents. To take things a notch higher, go for the luxurious Rajwadi tents and Darbari tents.

Travel Tips for your Rann Utsav trip

  • Make sure to book your tickets and tents well in advance so that you don't hurt your wallet.
  • Make a list of all the nearby attractions you want to cover to plan your itinerary in advance.
  • Don't forget to pack your woollens and mittens for chilly nights – and take your sunglasses to protect yourself from salty winds.
  • If you are carrying your DSLR camera, protect it from salt, which can affect your camera sensors.
  • You can also carry a pair of binoculars to spot migratory birds.
  • Carry snacks and water bottles for your road trips to nearby locations, as the highways can be a bit deserted.
  • Be compassionate and supportive towards the locals. They work very hard to make your Rann Utsav experience a happy and meaningful one.
  • Carry your trash along with you and help in keeping the white desert clean.
  • Be gentle towards the animals you ride on.

You don't need to break the bank to enjoy a European Christmas when you can have a different kind of White Christmas in India's very own one-of-a-kind winter wonderland. Sometimes, an offbeat experience is the perfect way to lift your festive spirits and make memories for a lifetime.

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The Adani One expressly disclaims all liability, direct and indirect, in respect to actions taken or not taken based on any or all the contents of this Blog. The Blog is an opinion of the contributor based on the collation of data from various sources and is provided only for information purpose. Adani One does not canvass, advertise, solicit, invite or induct for any product, merchandise, information, brand or any other materials mentioned in the Blog, nor does it obtain any monetary benefit from the same. Reader is advised to read and apply his/her intellect and discretion in this regard. Any Intellectual Property mentioned in this blog belongs to the rightful owner. We do not intent to claim any interest over the same.