Kalo Dungar, Rann Of Kutch - Timings, Entry Fee, Best Time to Visit

At a distance of 46 km from Great Rann of Kutch, 48 km from Dhordo and 89 km from Bhuj, Kalo Dungar or Kala Dungar is a hill located near Khavda town in Kutch district of Gujarat. It is one of the most famous attractions in Great Rann of Kutch that can be visited as part of Kutch Tour.

Situated at an altitude of 458 m, Kala Dungar literally means Black Hill in Gujarati language is the highest point of Kutch and offers jaw dropping view of the entire region, especially the Rann and the Indo-Pak border. The hill is also the site of a 400-year-old temple of Lord Dattatreya, the three-headed incarnation of Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva in the same body. Legend says that when Dattatreya walked on the earth, he stopped at the Black Hills and noticed many hungry jackals and offered them his body to eat. When jackals started eating Dattatreya's body, his body automatically regenerated. The practice of feeding jackals is still followed by the people. Priest of the temple prepares food and serve it to jackals each morning and evening, after the aarti.

Beyond the temple there are two viewpoints that give the spectacular view of white Rann. Being close to the Pakistan border, there is an army post at the top of the Kalo Dungar and only military personnel are allowed beyond here. Before Kalo Dungar at one location you can experience vehicle going down with high speed even with ignition off. One can also visit India Bridge which is about 18 km from Kalo Dungar. This bridge is not open for tourists and it is under border security force but one can be allowed to cross the bridge on request.

Public transport to Kala Dungar is highly unreliable. Visitors can hire direct cabs from Bhuj or for cheaper options one could take a local bus from Bhuj to Khavda village and then hire or share a jeep to Kala Dungar. There is one dharamshala as an accommodation option for people who wish to spend a night where only basic food such as rice, roti, dal and vegetable are available. It is recommended to make prior bookings for vehicle and accommodation if one wishes to spend the night at Kalo Dungar.

Timings: 6 AM - 6 PM