Bhuj is situated in the Kutch district of Gujarat. It is the administrative city of Kutch and therefore occupies an important place. If you are traveling to Bhuj by road then it is around 396 km from Ahmedabad. Bhuj is an interesting place due to the fact that it was once the capital of the Princely state of Kutch. This makes Bhuj one of the popular places in India, from travel and tourism point of view. It is dotted by a number of affluent princely buildings of the yore which are truly a feast for the eyes.

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.

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.

As summers in Bhuj tend to be harsh and rains can be torrential, the best time to visit Bhuj is during winters.

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.

BY AIR
Bhuj is connected by air with Mumbai and Ahmedabad. The Indian Airlines is on the New Station Road. Indian Airlines and Jet Airways have daily flights to Mumbai. Passenger aircrafts l and at the air force base 3? km north of the city limits.

BY RAIL
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.

BY ROAD
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.

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.