Kalo Dungar

Perched atop the Kutch Desert in Gujarat, India, Kalo Dungar, or the Black Hill, stands as the highest point in the region at 462 meters. This hill is not just a geographical landmark but also a vantage point that offers panoramic views of the vast expanse of the white salt desert known as the Great Rann of Kutch.

Kalo Dungar is steeped in history and mythology. It is said to be the site where the sage Dattatreya, an incarnation of the Hindu trinity Brahma, Vishnu, and Shiva, stopped to rest and was fed by a pack of hungry jackals to whom he offered his body. A temple dedicated to Dattatreya sits atop the hill, drawing devotees who come to pay homage.

The hill is also strategically important for its proximity to the Pakistan border, and there is an Indian Army post at the top. Visitors to Kalo Dungar can witness the surreal phenomenon of a magnetic field in the region that is said to make cars roll uphill when parked at a certain point on the road leading to the summit.

Apart from its religious and strategic significance, Kalo Dungar is a must-visit for nature lovers and photographers. The hill provides a breathtaking view of the Rann, especially at sunrise and sunset when the play of light turns the landscape into a canvas of ever-changing colors.