Gujarat, as a state, has never disappointed the world with its generous hospitality, wholesome festivals, mouthwatering dishes, highest culture, and of course, unforgettable tourism. One such powerful depiction of Gujarat's bright legacy is the city of Bhuj. Bhuj is a small city in the Kutch district of Gujarat. It is an excellent city to look at in Gujarat, especially if you are looking to explore the ancient roots of this state. This blog features some awesome places to visit in Bhuj, to ease your search for your trip to this amazing city in Gujarat.
Top 22 Places To Visit In Bhuj
Here is a quick rundown of the 22 most famous places to visit in and around Bhuj, that will make your Bhuj trip worthwhile:
1. Aina Mahal
Aina Mahal is simply referred to as the 'Palace of Mirrors.' The word 'AINA' means a mirror in Hindi. This is an extremely exciting tourist destination in Bhuj. The original building dates from the 18th century. It has two floors; including Hira Mahal, Fuvara Mahal, and Hall of Mirrors on the First Floor, it consists of a separate Audience Hall, and Darbad Hall along with a marriage hall on the Second floor. The best features are the mirrors, antique collections, and white marble set up in the European style.
Time duration: 1-2 hours
Timings: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM and 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM | Closed on Thursdays
Cost: Entry fees: ₹20 per person; Camera usage charges: ₹30
2. Prag Mahal
Prag Mahal is located very close to Aina Mahal. The palace is a 19th-century structure known for its Italian-Gothic architecture. The 45-meter clock tower and the Durbar Hall are great for a complete view of the city. Near you can visit Chattardi, an ancient graveyard famous for its sandstone memorials and also one of the best places to visit in Kutch.
Time duration: 1-2 hours
Timings: 9:00 AM till 6:00 PM daily
Cost: Entry fees; Adults: ₹20 | Children: ₹10; Camera usage charges: ₹50
3. Vande Mataram Memorial
This memorial in Bhuj, very near Hiralakshmi Memorial Craft Park, is a patriotic museum showing the freedom struggle through audio-visual displays. It is the very first 4-D memorial. Here you get to live the whole journey of independence through 4-D technology like you have been part of it back then. The whole visuals are in total of 13 episodes. There are also replicas of India Gate, the Parliament Building, the Yellow Fort, a library, and a beautiful cafeteria. There is also a light and sound show that pays tribute to our freedom fighters.
Time duration: 2-3 hours
Timings: Tuesday to Saturday: 11 AM to 6 PM | Sunday – 11 AM to 7 PM | Monday: Closed, Facade Show: 8 PM
Cost: Adult: ₹200; Children (below 10 years): ₹50; Senior Citizen: ₹50; Foreigner: ₹400
4. Smriti Van Earthquake Museum
Normally called Smriti Van, it is the largest memorial and museum built in this new India. It was constructed in the memories of 13000 earthquake victims from the Bhuj Earthquake of 2001. 50 check-dam reservoirs are holding the nameplates of these victims. Also, 7 galleries are showing the rejuvenating journey of Bhuj after the earthquake. It would be one of the most educational and warm places to visit in Bhuj.
Time duration: 2 hours
Timings: 5 AM to 11 PM
Cost: Adult: ₹300; Children (below 12 years): ₹100; Foreigner: ₹1000
5. Lake Hamirsar
Hamirsar Lake can be one of the most peaceful places to visit in Bhuj. It is situated in the middle of the city. The lake gives amazing views of the sunset. You can enjoy boating, feeding the ducks, or simply walking down the lake. The best time to visit Rann of Kutch also defined the perfect timing to visit these locations.
Time duration: 1-2 hours
Timings: 24*7
Cost: Free
6. Shree Swaminarayan Temple
This Hindu temple stands out among the spiritual places in Bhuj. The reason being its beautiful construction and quiet atmosphere. You can check out the detailed marble designs, take part in pooja, and explore the calm vibes and surroundings. Visiting this temple is one of the best things to do in Kutch, so you cannot miss out on this one.
Time duration: 1-2 hours
Timings: 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM daily
Cost: Free
7. Kutch Museum
It is the oldest museum in Gujarat and one of the most educational places to visit in Bhuj. You will see everything like ancient coins, textiles, weapons, and tribal art here. There are also unique Kshatrapa inscriptions and traditional Kutchi embroidery if you want to learn about traditional culture. There are several other nearby attractions like Ramkund Stepwell that have historic cravings showing scenes from the holy epic Ramayan and Mahabharat.
Time duration: 1-2 hours
Timings: 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM and 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM | Closed on Wednesdays and Public Holidays
Cost: Indian Citizens: ₹5 | Foreigners: ₹50
8. Black Hills (Kalo Dungar)
If you are looking for adventurous places to visit in Bhuj, then the Black Hills (Kalo Dungar) is your place. It is the highest point in Kutch. It offers great views of the whole Rann of Kutch & White desert. Also, the sunset and sunrise views are simply incredible! Nearby you have India Bridge and Dattatreya Temple, which is popular for its unique tradition of feeding jackals.
Time duration: 3-4 hours
Timings: 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Cost: Free
Suggested Read: 14 Famous Hill Stations In Gujarat
9. Bhujodi Village
It is one of the best places to visit in Bhuj where you can see local artisans weaving live. It seems to be like magic happening with threads. It is popular for handmade textiles and traditional weaving techniques. You can shop for shawls, sarees, and other handicrafts. You can also check Shrujan Museum to have deep information on textile art.
Time duration: 2-3 hours
Timings: Throughout the day
Cost: Free
10. Vijay Vilas Palace
It is located about 60 km from Bhuj. Vijay Vilas Palace is popular for its history and beauty. It has beautiful gardens, detailed carvings, and grand halls. It offers a stunning ambience with a mix of Rajputani and colonial construction styles. Also, many famous Bollywood movies like Lagaan, were shot here. Another must-see near to the palace is Mandvi Beach. It is one of the refreshing places to visit in Bhuj. The beach is clean and good for relaxing.
Time duration: 2-3 hours
Timings: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Cost: Entry Fee; Adults: ₹20; Cameras: ₹50
11. White Desert (Rann Of Kutch)
Distanced around 100 kilometres from Bhuj, the White Desert or Great Rann of Kutch, is one of the most stunning tourist attractions in Bhuj and nearby areas. The salt desert shines like a thick blanket under the moonlight in winter. The best time to travel here is during Rann Utsav which is held between November and February. Here, you can enjoy sunset & sunrise views, local food, cultural events, camel rides, and walk on flat salt. You can even stay there overnight for a full moon view.
Time duration: 4-6 hours
Timings: 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Cost: Adults: ₹100 | Children: ₹50; Parking charges: ₹50
12. Dholavira
Dholavira is about 110 kilometres from Bhuj. It was included as a World Heritage Site in 2021 by UNESCO. It is the largest of the two excavations of the Indus Valley Civilization, which occurred about 4500 years ago. You will be delighted by the journey to this place that goes through the Great Rann of Kutch.
Time duration: 1-2 days
Timings: 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Cost: Free
13. Kera Shiv Temple
The temple is situated in Kera village, which is about 25 kilometres from Bhuj. It is a very old temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is one of the least-known places to visit in Bhuj. But it feels like the best spirituality at this ancient temple. It is known for its beautiful ancient design and peaceful surroundings.
Time duration: 1-2 hours
Timings: Sunrise to Sunset
Cost: Free
14. Tapkeshwari Temple
Tapkeshwari Temple is located in a cave. It is one of nature’s wonders to see in Bhuj. It got its name after Goddess Tapkeshwari. The unique thing to see here is the water dripping on the main through the roof naturally. The water is said to be holy. The surrounding caves give a quite scenic view.
Time duration: 1-2 hours
Timings: 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Cost: Free
15. Sharad Baug Palace
Sharad Baug Palace is located just opposite Hamirsar Lake. It is now a historical site, but it used to be the residence of Maharao of Kutch. It is now more like a museum than a palace. Many royal items, huge ivory tusks, and other antiques are on display for the public. The palace gives vibrant vibes to the common people.
Time duration: 1-2 hours
Timings: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM & 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Cost: ₹25 per person
16. Bhujia Fort
Bhujiya Fort or Bhujia Fort, is another historic place to visit in Bhuj. It is located on the borders of Bhuj and is about 300 years old. Anciently, it was built as a defense to protect the Bhujiya people. It has two gates to enter the fort. The Great Wall of Kutch shows the amazing architecture of ancient India. At the top, you will also find Bhujang Nag Temple, dedicated to Bhujang Nag (Snake God). You can visit the fort while visiting the Kutch Museum and Bhujiya Hill, as the fort is built on top of it.
Time duration: 1-2 hours including Ramkund Stepwell
Timings: Sunrise to Sunset
Cost: Free
17. Shri Krishna Pranami Temple
Shri Krishna Pranami Temple is a Hindu temple dedicated to Lord Krishna. A huge statue of Lord Krishna is installed outside the main temple. It is known for its beautiful architecture and peaceful vibes. You can offer prayers and sit down to relax here while getting back from nearby attractions like Ramkund Stepwell, Kutch Museum, and Bhujiya Fort, all situated within walking distance.
Time duration: 30-60 minutes
Timings: 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Cost: Free
18. Kakkadbhit Yaksha Temple
This not-so-popular temple in Bhuj is a temple dedicated to the demigod Yaksha. It is one of the unique places to visit in Kutch Bhuj. The temple has 72 steps and is situated high on a hill. It is located in Purneshwar, which is about 35 kilometres from the main Bhuj but is worth visiting. Especially if you visit there in September when a 4-day fair/mela is held every year. This mela is the biggest fair in Kutch.
Time duration: 30 - 60 minutes
Timings: Sunrise to Sunset
Cost: Free
19. Hiralakshmi Memorial Craft Park
This is a centre of Kutch’s traditional arts and crafts showcasing some of Kutchi works. There are handcrafted textiles, potteries, wooden works, and shopping for authentic souvenirs. This would be a great place for anyone interested in rich arts and shopping for Kutchi stuff. Also, this can be covered while touring the nearby places Bhujodi village and Vande Bharat Memorial.
Time duration: 2-3 hours
Timings: 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM
Cost: Adult: ₹50, Children (below 12 years): ₹20, Senior Citizen: ₹20, Foreigner: ₹400, Divyang: Free
20. Living And Learning Design Centre
This museum of Kutch showcases the hard work and goodness of local craft people. It is a craft education and resource centre that encourages traditional crafts. There are three galleries and a library in the museum. It also has a craft studio where local artisans do arts like weaving, pottery, metalworking, and block printing. The building also has a conference room and auditorium. Also, you can shop here. Photography and videography are banned in the museum.
Time duration: 2 hours
Timings: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM | Last entry time: 5:15 PM
Cost: Adult: ₹100; Children (5-12 years): ₹50
21. Bharatiya Sanskruti Darshan Museum
Another cultural museum in Bhuj shows the rich culture, heritage, and history by way of art items. It is the oldest museum of Gujarat. It has excellent galleries displaying vintage Kutchi textiles, musical instruments, and wooden, and stone cravings. It is quite small in size yet appealing, so you can just cover it quickly and know more about amazing Bhuj altogether.
Time duration: 1 hour
Timings: 10:00 AM to 1:00 PM & 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM
Cost: Indian: ₹10; Foreigners: ₹50
22. Kutch Fossil Park
Kutch Fossil Park is about 60 kilometres from the main city of Bhuj. It is a unique place to visit near Bhuj. It was developed by a local fossil collector in 2002. There is a huge collection of fossils like remains of marine animals, plants, fruits, and dinosaurs’s eggs. It is a good place for someone interested in geological history.
Time duration: 1 hour
Timings: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Cost: Free
Conclusion
Now that you know Bhuj is a hotspot of authentic places and experiences. It has it all! Ancient temples, vast buildings, unique museums, and vibrant markets. So, when planning your next trip to Gujarat, make sure to go to any of these best places to visit in Bhuj to get the best highlights of Kutchi culture. And if it's anywhere near, hit the link to learn about the best deals for your Bhuj trip.
FAQs
1. What is Bhuj famous for?
Bhuj is known for its historic culture, museums, gigantic temples, and unique buildings such as the Aaina Mahal, Prag Mahal, and Bhuj Fort. You would also enjoy traditional handicrafts such as textiles, local embroidery, woodwork, and pottery.
2. How many days are enough for Bhuj?
A 3-4 day trip should be fine for Bhuj normally. Many places in Bhuj need less time to tour and most of the places. Adding 1-2 days would be sufficient in case you wish to explore nearby places, such as Great Rann of Kutch or Dholavira. Then, you can visit all the important places in and around Bhuj.
3. What is the best time to visit Bhuj?
The best time to visit Bhuj would be between October and February. The climate is good during these months. Also, you can experience the famous Rann Utsav.
4. What are the must-try local dishes in Bhuj?
Gujarati delicacies are worldly now. Gujarati thali, dabeli, fafda-jalebi, Bajra na rotla, kadhi khichadi, gulab pak, and kutchi kadak taste yummy. These dishes are amazing foods to check out when in Bhuj.
5. How can I reach Bhuj?
Bhuj is quite reachable. It has an airport and railway station. The other way to reach here is via a drive from nearby popular cities like Ahmedabad (about 350 kilometers) or Rajkot (about 225 kilometers).
