Bhunga Houses of Kutch: The Best Defense Against Heat

March 23, 2025

Bhunga Houses of Kutch: A Natural Defense Against Heat and Disasters

By Staff Reporter | March 23, 2025

Kutch, Gujarat — As temperatures soar across Gujarat, the people of Kutch remain unfazed by the scorching heat. Thanks to the traditional Bhunga houses, locals enjoy natural insulation, staying cool in summer and warm in winter. These distinctive circular mud houses have proven their resilience against not only heat but also earthquakes and cyclones.

Built for Extreme Weather

Constructed using mud, grass, and wood, Bhunga houses maintain a balanced internal temperature. The thick mud walls act as insulators, keeping interiors cooler than the outside temperature, often by up to five degrees. Their small windows and doors further minimize heat entry, while the conical thatched roof allows warm air to escape.

During winters, the same structure retains warmth, making Bhungas a comfortable shelter year-round. The natural materials used in their construction also repel insects and mosquitoes, adding to their appeal.

A Legacy of Resilience

The true strength of Bhunga houses was evident during the devastating 2001 Kutch earthquake. While thousands of modern buildings crumbled, Bhungas withstood the seismic shock, resulting in minimal casualties. Their circular shape evenly distributes pressure, preventing structural collapse.

More recently, Bhunga houses also showcased resilience during the 2023 cyclone, with their aerodynamic design allowing strong winds to pass around them without causing significant damage.

Community and Culture

In regions like Khadir Island, Dholavira, Banni Grasslands, and Khavda, Bhunga houses remain a common sight. Often built in clusters, each household includes a main Bhunga for living, a separate kitchen, and smaller huts for guests or storage. Decorated with vibrant traditional artwork, including the intricate Lippan art with mirror inlays, these homes reflect the cultural richness of Kutch.

The construction process involves soaking mud mixed with animal dung for 20 days, forming sun-dried bricks, and erecting walls up to nine feet high. The roof is crafted from bamboo or eucalyptus, layered with grass for insulation. Though cost-effective, maintaining a Bhunga requires regular roof replacement and wall plastering, keeping traditional craftsmanship alive.

Modern Adaptations

While urbanization has introduced concrete structures, Bhunga houses continue to inspire modern architecture. In cities like Ahmedabad and Mumbai, Bhunga-inspired eco-friendly homes are gaining popularity, blending traditional aesthetics with modern amenities.

However, maintaining these houses has become costly, with roof replacements often exceeding ₹5,000 ($60) every eight years. Younger generations are gravitating towards low-maintenance concrete homes, posing a challenge to the preservation of this architectural heritage.

Preserving the Tradition

Efforts to promote and preserve Bhunga architecture are gaining momentum. Architects and conservationists advocate for sustainable building techniques rooted in tradition, emphasizing their environmental benefits.

As Kutch University continues research on ancient Bhunga-like structures found in Dholavira, the legacy of these homes stands as a testament to the region’s resilience and ingenuity.

For the people of Kutch, the Bhunga remains more than just a house — it’s a symbol of survival, culture, and sustainable living in the face of nature’s challenges.

Against the Environment

Since the Bhunga huts are made of mud, wood, and grass, they naturally maintain a balanced internal environment.

They remain cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
Flies, mosquitoes, and insects cannot enter the house.
The grass roof and mud walls ensure the house doesn’t heat up, keeping the interiors cool.
Similarly, during winter, the walls and roof retain warmth.

The temperature inside a Bhunga house is usually five degrees lower than the outside temperature.
In Kutch, where extreme heat and cold are common, Bhunga houses often have one or two small windows, and the door is designed to be small to prevent external air from entering.

Cluster of Bhungas

A Bhunga is a traditional house that is environmentally friendly and heat resistant. Building a Bhunga is economical. A thatched shed called “Pedhi” is often constructed in front of the house, serving as a workspace. Beside the Bhunga, a smaller hut called “Otang” is used to accommodate guests. There are separate structures for the kitchen and a traditional bathroom called “Nayani.”

These round-shaped houses are a marvel of Kutch’s villages.

Earthquake Resilience

It has been 25 years since the devastating earthquake in Kutch.
The region is highly earthquake-prone. In the 2001 earthquake, around 200,000 houses were destroyed, and 500,000 homes were damaged. Tragically, around 12,000 people lost their lives. However, not a single Bhunga collapsed, and no casualties were reported from those living in these traditional houses.

Bhungas are naturally earthquake-resistant, with their round shape and lightweight roof evenly distributing seismic forces. Unlike square or rectangular buildings, Bhungas do not collapse easily under pressure.

Withstanding Cyclones

Even during the 2023 cyclone, Bhungas sustained minimal damage. The circular walls and conical roofs allow strong winds to pass around the structure instead of resisting them directly.

Bhunga Settlements

In areas like Khadir Island, Dholavira, Banni Grasslands, Kutch Pachham, and Khavda, people primarily engaged in animal husbandry, agriculture, spinning, and casual labor live in Bhunga houses.

The Banni grasslands cover an area of 2,497 sq. km, home to over 100,000 animals and around 46 villages known locally as “Bands.” These bands are like small desert settlements, and approximately 670 Bhunga houses are found in this region.

Some key villages include Bhirdiyaro, Bhojardo, Dumado, Gorewali, Misriado, Dhodko, Shirvo, Bhitaro, and Dhordo. In 1991, the region had a population of 14,500.

5,000-Year-Old Evidence

Excavations at the ancient city of Dholavira have revealed remains of circular houses dating back 5,000 years. These structures resemble Bhungas and are believed to have been built around 1300 BCE.

The Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences at Kutch University is conducting extensive research on climate change and the rise and fall of civilizations in the region over the past 20,000 years.

The Bhunga Experts

The origin of Bhungas is linked to the 1819 earthquake in Kutch, which destroyed countless homes. Recognizing the resilience of circular structures, the artisans from Kutch and Sindh (now in Pakistan) rebuilt using this design. The Kadiya community, traditional artisans, played a major role in constructing Bhungas.

Even today, many people from villages like Ludian near Khavda in Kutch identify themselves as traditional Bhunga artisans.

Modern Bhungas

While modern houses with concrete walls are common, many people still prefer Bhunga-style homes. In cities like Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar, and Mumbai, people are now building Bhungas, which can cost up to ₹8.5 lakh ($10,000). These Bhungas are often equipped with modern amenities.

Construction Process

It typically takes two months to build a Bhunga.

The walls are around 9 feet tall and 1 foot thick, with a diameter of up to 18 feet.
A pit about 8-10 feet deep is dug to obtain good quality soil. The soil is mixed with donkey or horse dung, cow dung, and water, left to soak for 20 days.
Mud bricks are then made and sun-dried before being used for construction.
A horizontal beam is placed on the walls, and a conical roof structure is made using bamboo or eucalyptus branches.
The roof is covered with grass thatch. The conical shape can reach a height of up to 17 feet.

Art and Decor

The exterior walls are decorated with colorful murals, while the interiors feature “Lippan Art” — a decorative craft using white mud and mirrors, which enhances brightness. The walls are further adorned with designs of animals, birds, flowers, and traditional motifs.

Each Bhunga has one door and typically two windows for ventilation. Even the grass thatching on the roof needs to be replaced annually.

Maintenance and Costs

Maintaining a Bhunga is becoming increasingly expensive.

The grass roof generally lasts about 8 years.
If proper grass isn’t available, alternatives may attract scorpions or pests.
Changing the roof costs around ₹5,000 ($60).
The walls and floors need replastering twice a year using mud.

Younger generations often prefer concrete homes due to the reduced maintenance involved.

Cultural Legacy

Bhungas remain an integral part of Kutch’s cultural and architectural heritage. Their intricate designs and sustainable features serve as a testament to the resilience and ingenuity of the people of Kutch.