Traditional Rogan Art

Top choice in Kachchh (Kutch)


The village of Nirona, 40km northwest of Bhuj, features several distinctive crafts (lacquerwork, bell making), but none more so than the award-winning ancient art of rogan painting, brought over from Iran 300 years ago and until recently practised by just one extended family in India in this village. Today, though, the family has begun training others in the craft. These delicate, detailed cloth paintings take months of work.

Narendra Modi famously presented one fine piece to Barack Obama during the former American president's visit.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Kachchh (Kutch) attractions

1. Kala Raksha

13.48 MILES

Based at Sumrasar Sheikh, 25km north of Bhuj, Kala Raksha is a nonprofit trust working to preserve and promote Kachchh arts. It works with about 1000…

2. Tana Bana

13.55 MILES

One of the graduates of the Somaiya Kala Vidya design school for artisans, weaver Ramji Maheshwari demonstrates his craft on a traditional pit loom…

3. Hodka

14.53 MILES

Inhabited by the Meghwal and Halepotra people, this village specialises in leatherwork and embroidery. It's around 55km north of Bhuj, off Rte 341.

4. Sharad Baug Palace

16.97 MILES

This graceful 1867 Italianate palace, set among shade trees full of crows and bats, was the abode of the last maharao of Kachchh, Madansingh, until his…

5. Aina Mahal

17.03 MILES

This beautiful palace, built in 1752 and part of the Darbargadh palace complex, lost its top storey in the 2001 earthquake, but the lower floor is open,…

6. Prag Mahal

17.05 MILES

The largest of the three palaces within the Darbargadh walled complex, 19th-century Prag Mahal is in a forlorn state, damaged by the 2001 earthquake, but…

7. Rani Mahal

17.08 MILES

The 17th-century Rani Mahal, the former main royal residence, was almost completely destroyed in the 2001 earthquake, though you can still admire the…