Sand art, music and camel rides draws crowd to Mandvi beach festival

Mandvi Beach in Gujarat’s picturesque Kutch district is abuzz with activity as it hosts an 11-day beach festival, drawing tourists and locals alike.

The festival was inaugurated on Sunday by Gujarat Tourism Minister Dr. Jayrambhai Gamit, marking the beginning of vibrant celebrations along the historic coastal town.

Visitors are soaking in the festive atmosphere while enjoying Mandvi’s scenic shoreline. The event offers a variety of attractions, including zorbing, camel rides, and specially designed photo spots that add to the beachside charm.

Cultural programmes, live music performances, and traditional handicraft stalls have further elevated the festive mood, offering a glimpse into Kutch’s rich cultural heritage.

According to Dhuwani Velandi, a Local Tourist, "This festival showcases the rich culture of Kutch, including Kutch embroidery and traditional Garba. There are tents, handicraft stalls, sand art, and music performances as well"

Sand art has emerged as one of the major highlights of the festival.

Crafted with hours of dedication and tonnes of sand, the sculptures reflect themes such as marine life, wildlife, women’s empowerment, tourism, and local heritage, captivating visitors throughout the event.

Meanwhile, a sand sculptor named Parimal Makwana says, "We came to Mandvi Beach to create sand art, where we have made sculptures based on marine life, wildlife, women's empowerment, tourism, and themes like 'Ghar Ghar Swadeshi' and 'Har Ghar Swadeshi'. In total, we have created six sand sculptures.

Each sculpture takes a minimum of five to six hours to complete, and for every sculpture we used around three trucks of sand mixed with seawater to give it proper shape and strength."

Mandvi, fondly known as "Kutch nu Gharanu", is thought to have one of the most stunning coastlines in the area.

With its blend of culture, creativity, and coastal appeal, the Mandvi Beach Festival is expected to bring a major boost to tourism in Kutch.

The celebration will go on until December 31.