Founded around 650 AD, Anjar is Kutch's oldest town — home to the legendary Jesal-Toral shrine, a bazaar famous for hand-forged knives and metalcraft, and a moving memorial to the resilience shown after repeated earthquakes.
Anjar is believed to be the oldest town in Kutch, founded around 650 AD, according to popular folklore, by a group of settlers led by Ajay Pal Chauhan. Over fourteen centuries, the town has weathered repeated disasters — including the great 1819 Rann of Kutch earthquake and the devastating 2001 Gujarat earthquake — and rebuilt itself each time.
Anjar's spiritual heart is the Jesal Toral Samadhi, dedicated to a 14th-century dacoit-turned-saint, Jesal, and the pious woman Toral whose devotion transformed him. Their story of redemption through love is one of Kutch's most cherished folk legends, retold in songs and cinema, and thousands of pilgrims visit their shrine every year.
The town is equally famous for its Ganga Bazaar, a historic market lane where blacksmith families have forged Anjar's legendary knives, penknives and "sudi" nutcrackers for generations — craftsmanship so renowned it's exported internationally. Anjar also carries a solemn reminder of loss: the Vira Balak Smarak, a memorial to 185 schoolchildren who lost their lives in the 2001 earthquake.
Four essential stops in Kutch's oldest town.
A convenient stop between Bhuj and Bhachau / Mandvi.
Local insights to make your visit memorable.
Easily combined with Anjar as part of your Kutch itinerary.
Everything you need to know before visiting.
Let us include Anjar's Jesal Toral Samadhi, Ganga Bazaar and heritage sites as part of your Kutch itinerary — easily combined with Bhuj or Mandvi.
