https://indianmasterminds.com

ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

A Small Village in Gujarat Gets UN Best Tourism Village 2023 Tag; Why and What is It Famous For?

Dhordo village in Gujarat got the UN Best Tourism Village award It is the last village on the border in Kachchh district It is the only village from India to make it to the list of 54 from across the world
Indian Masterminds Stories

On 20 October, when the whole nation was celebrating Navratri, a small but beautiful village in Gujarat, Dhordo was adjudged the ‘Best Tourism Village 2023’ by United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), which left the country wondering what is so special about this nondescript village.

Dhordo is the last village on the border in Kachchh (Kutch) district, before the picturesque white desert begins. When the award was announced, it brought great joy for Gujarat, a state famous for its Navratri celebrations.

Dhordo is the only village from India to make it to the list of 54 from across the world. In the Gujarat government’s ‘Rann Utsav’ every year, this village always shines. Because of this, the government had organized the G20 tourism meeting here. The village has a circuit that joins it to the ancient city Dholavira. Called ‘Road to Heaven’, it passes through the Rann of Kachchh as well, and is a popular tourist destination.

Indian Masterminds interacted with 2012 batch IAS officer Amit Arora, the Collector and DM of Kachchh district, to get more details about this village.

Dhordo – the perfect tourist destination

DHORDO

About 86 kilometers away from Bhuj on the India-Pakistan border, Dhordo has a population of only around one thousand. It is the last village of Banni region situated in the northern part of Kachch district. This village is famous for organizing ‘Rann Utsav’ annually. It is a three-month long festival, which will begin on 10 November, this year.

Kachchh is also called the ‘White Desert’ due to the large production of salt. In this desert, during Rann Utsav, Dhordo village buzzes with tourists from within the country and abroad.

Famous Gol House of Dhordo

After the Rann Utsav started here, not only it became necessary to build proper infrastructure, but this village gradually became the face of development of Gujarat. There are still traditional Bhunga (Round Houses) in this village that are popular among tourists. In winter, due to the white salt, this village acquires amazing whiteness.

Mr. Arora said, “Every year, 2 to 2.5 lakh people come here. The village is also expanding. And tourism has boosted the economy of the village. The amenities that should have been provided here due to tourism have gradually developed. The biggest benefit from this has been the development of infrastructure. Everything from road to medical infrastructure has been developed. Many common amenities have also been created.”

PM Modi at Dhordo village which is called as White Desert

It is being said that the Prime Minister had the dream of bringing Dhordo on the world map when he was the Chief Minister of Gujarat. That’s why, from the district administration to the tourism department, all have focused on this village and provided every possible help to develop it as per world tourism standards. In fact, the Tourism Department had filed the nomination for the Best Tourism Village 2023.

THE RANN UTSAV

This time the Rann Utsav it is starting from 10 November and will last till the end of February, if the weather stays cool and pleasant.

A man named Gulbeg Mian from Dhordo village had started the efforts to organize the Rann Utsav in the village, three decades ago. In the 90s, there used to be a day-long festival on a small scale. But, from 2008, the festival started in tents. A tent city was built for the Utsav where tourists can stay in tents and enjoy the white salt expanse of the desert of Kutch during the winter season.

The handicraft of Dhordo

THE VILLAGE ECONOMY

As tourism progresses here, the economy of the village has been boosted further. The traditional handicrafts have got a big boost. When tourists come, the handicrafts of local artisans are showcased in front of them, due to which these have become famous all over the world. And this has given a major thrust to the local economy.

Mr. Arora said, “The special circuit ‘Road to Heaven’ will also develop further in the coming time, because the government has already chalked out expansion plans for it.”

Tourist at Ran Utsav

SELECTION PROCESS

The ‘Best Tourism Villages 2023’ award by UNWTO was launched in 2021 and the initiative promotes tourism for sustainable development globally. The awards are bestowed to the villages that are best in rural development and preservation of landscapes, cultural diversity, local values and food traditions. This year, the ceremony was held in the third week of October at Samarkand in Uzbekistan. Other villages that were awarded include Shirakawa in Japan, Filandia in Colombia, Cantavieja in Spain and La Carolina in Argentina.

Beauty of Dhordo in the night

Indian Masterminds Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Related Stories
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
NEWS
70th Foundation Day of Madhya Pradesh,
MP Celebrates 70th Foundation Day: CM Mohan Yadav Highlights State’s Growth from Heritage to Industrial Powerhouse
Simhastha 2028 Ujjain preparations
Simhastha 2028: CM Mohan Yadav Reviews Ujjain’s Preparations, Emphasizes Rapid Infrastructure Development
Zero Ka Dum
BPCL Q2 Net Profit Surges 169% to Rs 6,442 Crore on Strong Refining Margins and Higher Fuel Sales
Fiscal Deficit
Centre’s Fiscal Deficit at 36.5% of Full-Year Target in H1 FY26; Rs 5.73 Lakh Crore Gap Reported
CCL Samman Samaroh
CCL Honors 115 Retiring Employees in Grand ‘Samman Samaroh’ Ceremony at Ranchi Headquarters
Yogi Adityanath Ayodhya visit in Diwali
Unseasonal Rains Ravage Crops in Uttar Pradesh: Yogi Government Promises Swift Relief and Compensation
Chhattisgarh tableau
Chhattisgarh Shines in Ekta Parade: Bastar’s Culture, Art, and Rapid Development Take Center Stage
iDEX initiative
iDEX Initiative Powers India’s Defence Start-Up Boom — $344 Million Innovation Push Unveiled
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-31 at 13.49
Walking with the Wild: How Dr. Sonali Ghosh is Protecting Assam’s Forests
Former IAS Anil Swarup
Former IAS Anil Swarup Reveals His Secrets of Success
IAS Gokul S
Meet IAS Gokul S — The Officer Who Turned Disability into Determination | Video Interview 
ADVERTISEMENT
UPSC Stories
IAS Gokul S
Meet IAS Gokul S — The Officer Who Turned Disability into Determination | Video Interview 
Visually impaired IAS officer Gokul S turned his challenges into change, empowering hundreds through...
Parmeshwar Chaudhary RAS
From Taunts to Triumph: How Farmer’s Son Parmeshwar Chaudhary Rose from Lab Assistant to SDM, Securing Rank 3 in RAS 2023
Parmeshwar, once taunted over his SI selection, has scripted a stunning success—securing Rank 3 in RAS...
IAS Rupal Rana UPSC
How Rupal Rana Cracked UPSC CSE 2023 with AIR 26 After Four Attempts
UPSC Topper Rupal Rana secured AIR 26 in 2023 after four attempts. Learn her preparation strategy, booklist,...
Social Media
Tenzin Yangki IPS Arunachal
Historic First: Who Is Tenzin Yangki, Arunachal Pradesh’s First Woman to Join IPS? Anand Mahindra Hails Her
She secured an impressive 545th rank in the prestigious UPSC Civil Services Examination - 2022.
IFS Parveen Kaswan
Heartbreak by the River: 15-Day-Old Elephant Calf Rejected by Mother, Rescued by IFS Parveen Kaswan and His Team
Jaldapra, West Bengal: In a moving incident that tugs at the heart, a 15-day-old elephant calf was rescued...
Ashwini Bhide IAS and Anand Mahindra
Who Is IAS Ashwini Bhide, Hailed as a Role Model for Mumbai Metro Transformation by Anand Mahindra?
From heritage to high-tech: Bhide’s leadership in Metro Line 3 earns public praise and admiration
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Latest
70th Foundation Day of Madhya Pradesh,
MP Celebrates 70th Foundation Day: CM Mohan Yadav Highlights State’s Growth from Heritage to Industrial Powerhouse
Simhastha 2028 Ujjain preparations
Simhastha 2028: CM Mohan Yadav Reviews Ujjain’s Preparations, Emphasizes Rapid Infrastructure Development
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Videos
WhatsApp Image 2025-10-31 at 13.49
Former IAS Anil Swarup
IAS Gokul S
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT