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FACTS & FIGURES
Population : 200,000
Languages : Gujarati and Hindi
Best Time to Visit : Winters
STD Codes : 02832
WESTERNMOST CITY OF INDIA
 Bhuj,
the westernmost city of India, is a treasure trove of
heritage and culture. Like few other towns, which have
escaped the tourist invasion in India, Bhuj offers to
the traveler hospitality hitherto unseen in modern times.
Bhuj is known for its small, meandering streets, palaces
and temples. It also has the oldest museum in the state
of Gujarat. It not only has numerous places of interest
within the city, but places (especially villages) around
it are very famous for their traditional handicrafts
and embroidery.
LOCATION
Bhuj is located in the westernmost part of the
state of Gujarat, in the western region of India. It
is around 300 km from Ahmedabad, the state capital.
It is near the Gulf of Kutch, a part of the Arabian
Sea. Low hills overlook the city of Bhuj. Though Bhuj
is near the coast, yet its climate is hot. It is because
of its proximity to the Great Rann of Kutch to its north
and the Small Rann to its west, which are vast, sandy,
and dry salt flats. Bhuj experiences hot summers (April-June)
and mild winters (October-February). It is lashed by
southwestern monsoons in the months of June-August.
VISITING TIME
As summers in Bhuj tend to be harsh and rains
can be torrential, the best time to visit Bhuj is during
winters.
THE PAST
A local ruler Maharao Hamir founded the city
of Bhuj in 1510. In 1549 Rao Khengarji I, another local
ruler, made Bhuj his capital. It remained an independent
princely state during the rule of the British in India
and became a part of India, when it gained independence
in 1947.
TOURIST SPOTS
Bhuj is known for its palaces, built
in the traditional Kutchi style. Aina Mahal or the Palace
of Mirrors (Old Palace), surrounded by a small, fortified
courtyard built in the 18th century, is located in the
old part of the city. It is an important tourist spot
and houses a museum within it. The Hall of Mirrors and
the Pleasure Pool within this palace are important.
Near the Aina Mahal, is the Prag Mahal (New Palace),
which was built in the latter half of the 19th century.
The Kuchch Museum, formerly known as the Ferguson Museum
(named after its founder Sir James Ferguson, Governor
of Mumbai during the rule of the British), was built
in 1877 and has a good collection of artifacts, depicting
the history and culture of Bhuj and its surroundings.
It is also the oldest Museum in the state of Gujarat.
The Sarad Bagh Palace, the Swaminarayan Temple, Bharatiya
Sanskriti Darshan Kachch (folk museum) are other tourist
attractions of this city. The city walls built in 1723
by the local rulers on the hills overlooking the city
can be seen from different parts of the city.
SITES NEARBY
There are a number of villages around
Bhuj, which offer a cultural fiesta to the traveler.
Special permits have to be obtained from local government
offices in Bhuj to visit these villages. Some of the
important villages near Bhuj are Bhujjodi, which is
famous for weaving. Padhar and Dhaneti are famous for
traditional Ahir embroidery. Dhamanka is known for block
printing. Lilpur is known for its embroidery while the
village of Anjar is famous for block printing, tie and
dye items and traditional betel nut crackers. Items
obtained from these villages make good souvenirs as
well as items of daily use. The village of Dholavira
is an ancient site associated with the Indus Valley
Civilization. Than Monastery (60 km) and the sea resort
at Mandvi (60 km southeast) are important places to
visit. Anjal Wild Ass Sanctuary and the town of Gandhidham
are other places worth visiting near Bhuj.
FAIRS AND FESTIVALS
Bhuj is known for its Rann Utsav (festival),
which is held every year in February/March. Also known
as the Desert Festival, it usually coincides with the
Hindu festival of Shivratri. The main attractions of
this festival are demonstration of traditional handicrafts,
cultural events and tours in and around the city.
SHOPPING
Bhuj is known for its traditional handicraft
items. Embroidery is the forte of the local craftsmen
of Bhuj. Craft items can be purchased from the Shroff
Bazaar, which is the main shopping area. Craft items
can also be obtained from a number of villages around
Bhuj.
HOW TO REACH
Bhuj is connected by air with Mumbai and Ahmedabad.
The Indian Airlines Office (Ph: 21433) is on the New
Station Road. Indian Airlines and Jet Airways (Ph: 53671)
have daily flights to Mumbai. Passenger aircrafts land
at the air force base 3½ km north of the city
limits. One can also get state roadways buses as well
as private buses. There is good bus service for Ahmedabad
(7-hour trip) and to other towns in Gujarat and Rajasthan.
There are regular buses for villages around Bhuj. Bhuj
railway station is 1 km north of the city. A few trains
pass through Bhuj and one has to go either to Palanpur
(near Rajasthan border; 391 km) or to Gandhidham, which
have good rail connections to important towns around
this region.
Shared taxis and hired cars can be taken by the tourists
to visit Mandvi, Gandhidham and the villages around
Bhuj. Tourists can use auto-rickshaws to move around
the city. One can also hire scooters and bicycles for
the same purpose.
PLACES TO STAY
There are a number of mid- and low-budget
hotels and a few top-end hotels in Bhuj. Most of these
hotels are situated in and around the New Station Road.
PLACES TO EAT
Bhuj does not offer any special cuisine
to the traveler, but one can savor traditional Gujarati,
Indian and Chinese food in restaurants across the city.
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