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BHUNGA INFORMATION
We all are familiar with this word "Bhunga". This is Kutchhi word. Generally we know this as Hut, but Bhunga hut is having some peculiarities. The main peculiarity of Bhunga is its design. Generally ordinary houses are of square or rectangular shape, instead of that Bhunga houses are of round shape. At the time of earthquake it was noted that when skyscrapers made of cement and steel felled like a pack of cards, Bhungas stood strong due to its composition and size. Thus Bhungas are very popular due to their unique make. Bhungas are made of different materials like was there are different types also. Generally in tradition Bhunga babool wood, grass is used as a structure and earth/cow dung is used for plastering and flooring.
Bhunga can be made of Bamboos also. Bhunga can be made of cement; stone and roof can be covered with local earthen tiles. The foundation is kept around 600m deep. The diameter may very from 3 meter to 10 meter. The roof is made of wooden top dome where bamboo sticks are fixed with a thick layer of grass put on roof and securely tied together. The Walls are also made of bamboos sticks and layer of grass is tied with it. Mud and cow dung is used for wall plaster put on grass walls. Such plaster is applied on rooftop also. Flooring can be done using cement/tiles etc. as per requirements. Bhungas made of bamboos are different than wooden one. Foundation for bamboo Bhungas are made of cement and stone raised up to plinth level. Bamboo strips are tied together with nut bolts to make a strong wall. The roof is also made of Bhamboos and grass will make the roof. The different designs of Bhungas are having different utilities also. Kutch region is having different atmosphere than rest of Gujarat. It is very hot in summer and too cold in winter. When sun heat is at its peak, Bhungas due to their material gives cold feelings to inhabitants. Bhungas are like boon of nature to the residents of Bani west, which is a desert area. Sand blows in the winter and makes life miserable of the people; it is only Bhungas, which gives protection. Bhungas withstand all natural calamity like earthquake, cyclone etc. Thus Bhungas are special multi advantage housing shelters of Kutch regions. It is very easy to construct Bhungas. Even an illiterate villager can make it. Babool wood gets destroyed with termite, Bamboos are chemically treated which resists from termite as well as increases life span. Earthen plaster and flooring can be done every two years to increase life span. Ladies of that region make traditional paintings, decorate with mirror glass pieces. One can only appreciate the painting only after seeing personally.
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