Kalo Dungar Kutch, Gujarat

Kalo Dungar alias black hill is the highest point of the Kutch region, offering the bird's-eye view of the Great Rann of Kutch. At only 462 meters, the hill itself is an easy climb and can be reached by either hopping in private taxi or Gujarat tourism buses. Dattatreya Temple, a 400-year-old shrine sacred to Lord Dattatreya is noticeable on the top of the hill.

Many fables and tales are associated with the history of the Kalo Dungar, one of them say that Dattatreya, the three-headed incarnation of Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva in the same body, stopped at this hill while walking on the earth. On the hills, he 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 practiced by the people. Priest of the temple prepares food and serve it to jackals each morning and evening, after the aarti (Hindu religious ritual of worship). There is a bhojnalaya too that brings people from all walks of life to eat a meal together, free of cost. Being close to the Pakistan border, there is an army post at the top of the Kalo Dungar. People who want to see the Great Runn of Kutch from a different perspective should head up to Kalo Dungar.