Rabari Bhoongas are special types of houses built by the Rabari community of
Gujarat. These are round houses with conical roofs, designed to match the hot and arid climate of Kutch. The community uses hard packed mud and thatch to construct the house. The sunshade shaped roof frame is finished with wood, covered with tightly woven thatch. In addition, there are small windows, thick walls and a platform called the otla surrounding the house. The circular living place contains big storage jars, shed for livestock and a central courtyard. Most of these houses withstood the earthquake in 2001. Beautifully decorated interiors are proof of the artistic skills of the Rabaris. Rabari Bhoongas can be seen at Tunda Vandh, 15 km east of Mandvi.
