Bhuj

Bhuj

Way :
Ahmedabad - 381 KM

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The main center of Kutch is Bhuj city .. From 1650 VS this has remained the capitalof Kutch. The legend associates it with 'Bhujang' or the Great Serpent. Bhuj is situatedat the foot of the mountain named Bhujio Dungar, where the Great Serpent Bhujangis residing. There is a temple at the peak of the mountain dedicated to this SerpentGod. In this nearly 500 year-old city's history many leaders and rulers of imp0l1ancehave appeared. They have erected many buildings and temples, many of these arestill surviving. Ramsingh Malam had learnt the art of glass making from othercountries, and he built the famous 'Ayna Mahal'. There are beautiful Chhatris ofMaharao Lakhpatji with intricate carvings, the Hajiro of the valorous Jamadar FatehMuhammad Arab, and so on, that attract us. But the greatest wonder is the oldconstruction of a lake on the mountain and of the underground canal that broughtwater to the city. It is a great proof of the engineering and building skills of theancient people of Kutch. Nehru Garden near the lake adds to the beauty of the city.

Although built in the mountainous slope and so having uneven ground, the city ofBhuj is till a very beautiful city with a good climate. It has an old fort, and the old cityis within it. However the modern times have seen it expand beyond its hold boundaries,so that now the Railway station, colleges, other governmental buildings, ST busstand etc. are on the outer side. As an important city of the border area, it also has anAir Force base besides an Army base. Bhuj has an airp0l1 as well. In the bazaars ofBhuj we see the old nan'ow streets teeming with people. Iron goods like the knives,'sudi' or beetle nutcrackers, scissors etc. are in great demand for its famous sharpedges. Things like rugs of Kutchi weavers, garmentswith Kutchi embroidery and bed-sheets and 'lungis'with 'hathichhap' brand are also bought in greatquantities by the merchants and tourists.

A little away is Khavda Bet where the cattlebreeding industry is in full form. The dairy productsand sweetmeats made form 'Mava' are very cheap and mouth watering. The famous sweetmeat is the smooth mixture of Mava withrose petals, and the item is aptly named as 'Gulab-pak'. The city also has a number ofattractions within. If you visit it at the time of Navratri festival, at nearly all crossroads,you would see people gathered to play the 'garba' and 'raas' dances. On the day ofDashera we also have the Urs of Fateh Mamad. We can say, Bhuj is Bhuj, is Bhujindeed. It has a colorful culture beginning all the way from ancient times, and haswitnessed many philanthropists, adventurers, battles, intrigues, charity, devotion andso on, down to present times. It has remained the central city of Kutch all these ages.

To the north of Kutch near Kotay, there are ruins of a Shiva temple and a Sun templeat Kotyark. From the remnants only it is clear how prosperous and grand they musthave been. Kotay used to be the main center for Kathis. Not only good cattle breedersand keepers, they were brave warriors too. The Bunni region with its profuse area ofgrasslands attracted them. They were the worshippers of the Sun and had first builtthe Kotyark Sun temple. Near to Kotay at Angorgadh is an ancient Shiva temple. Theruins of both these temples indicate the highly skilled Indian architecture and sculpturesof the period.

To the south of Bhuj, at a ditance of about 20 km is Kera, where we come acrosssome wonderful sculptures at the ancient Shiva temple. It is said that the famous andvalorous ruler of Kutch, Lakha Fulani had built it. In the folk literature Lakha Fulani is a hero of many legends and stories. In recenttimes some dramas are also based onthese stories, while a film also has been made from these.

To the southeast of Bhuj is the city of Anjar, which is next to Bhuj in its importancein Kutch. It is world famous for its sharp:.edged knives, nutcrackers and scissors. Itsancient Shiva temple of Jaleshwar is full of closely made rich carvings. It has a'Samadhi' of Jesal and Toral, the two popular legendary and saintly figures.