The Bhuj is ancient city located in the the western city of India, was gravely suffered during 2001 devastating earthquake. That demolished almost 10% of city, killed many and destroyed many ancient heritage. But there is still much interest left in this lull town. The city is 300km away from Ahmedabad. There are beautiful bazaars, medieval temple and palaces, traditional handicrafts and many other things to see. Bhuj is situated near the Gulf of Kutch, a part of Arabian Sea with low hills and embroidery.


Bhuj was founded by Maharao Hamir in the early 16th century. Also during the British rule Bhuj was an independent princely state. After independence it became a part of India. The city is renowned as walled city as it was once fenced by with thick stoned walls. The climate is typical desert because of its proximity with the desert of Rann. Summer is blistering and winter cool and mild. The monsoon is associated with cyclones. The city has well transformation facility. Bhuj is also afford to have its own airport that connects with Ahmedabad and Mumbai. Rann Utsav of Bhuj is famous festival in the western part of Gujarat.

Sights And Activities

Aina Mahal
The signature monument of Bhuj, decorated the fort complex next door to Prag Mahal. This beautiful palace is an exotic example of Rajput art. The Hindu architecture is mixed with European style. The brain behind the architecture, Ramsingh Malam undertook training in Holland for specially for this palace. This ghostly, exuberant Durbar Hall, Hall of Mirror and different suites of royal family are worth a watch.

Prag Mahal
The very next door, there is another beautiful palace stands rather desolate, injured by earthquake. The palace is dressed by Italian marble and sandstone. The palace is constructed in the 19th century. The decrepit Durbar Hall, with broken chandeliers and gold skirted statues and portraits of past maharajas are displayed here. The Oscar nominated movie ' Laagan' was filmed here.

Kutch Museum
The Kutch Museum is originally known as Fergusson Museum, named after Sir James Fergusson, a governor of Mumbai in the British regime. The oldest museum of Gujarat has fantastic collections of ancient archaeological finds, medieval weaponry, textile, musical instruments, craft of Kutch region, photo gallery and an anthropology section.

Sharad Bagh Palace
This small palace is now a museum, extablished by last maharao in 1867, is of very modest proportions with just a two room downstairs and bedroom upstairs. The dining room is in a separate buildings. The tourist attractions are number of maharo personal possessions including video player.

Other Attractions
The hills are fenced by huge wall dominated the city. There are number of temples in Bhuj. The extravagantly embellished Swaminarayan temple is near the Aina Mahal is prominent one. The Bhartiya Sanscruti Darshan Kutch(Folk Museum) houses interesting collections of Tribal art and crafts and textile of Kutch.

Shopping
The embroidery, textiles, rural handicrafts are popular items for travelers.