Dholavira - archaeological site in Kutch, Gujarat in western India

Dholavira is a small town and archaeological site in Kutch, containing ruins of an ancient Indus Valley Civilisation (Harappan) city. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Understand

Dholavira the second largest Harappan site in India and the fifth largest in South Asia. It was unearthed by Indian archaeologists in 1967 but excavations into the site only began since 1990. In 2021 the site was added to the world heritage list.

Dholavira has one of the oldest water conservation systems in the world. Like Lothal, it went through all of the major phases of Indus Valley Civilisation, from early to late.

Get in

On the whole, Dholavira is not as accessible as the other major Harappan sites in India. The closest airport is 250 km southwest of the site in Bhuj. A bus leaves daily from Bhuj at 14:00 and reaches Dholavira at 20:30. You can also hire a car or private driver.

Get around

See

• Dholavira Archaeological Museum, Near Dholavira Site, 23.885365°, 70.216585°. 10AM-5PM. Small but informative museum. Free 2021-11-02
• Dholavira Archaeological Site, 23.886930°, 70.213560°. 10AM-5PM. Free 2021-11-02
• Fossil Park, 23.939743°, 70.188077°. Billions of years old plant fossils are seen here. Take a look at flat expanse of the Great Runn of Kutch. A good place to catch sunset. In November-December, you might be able catch glimpse of flamingos too. Free 2021-11-02
• Flamingo Lake, 23.874340°, 70.193955°. A seasonal lake created by checkdam. During rainy season, reach before sunrise and catch a look at thousands of flamingos in the waters of lake. Road is unpaved so be careful while driving. 2021-11-02

Do

Buy

Eat

• Toran Restaurant. run by Gujarat Tourism department. Gujarati Thali is available. 2021-11-02

Drink

Bring your own water as the place is remote.

Sleep

There are very few places to stay in Dholavira. There are some homestay services operated by locals.

• Dholavira Tourism Resort (ધોળાવીરા પ્રવાસન રિસોર્ટ), 23.882261°, 70.210229°, +91 97277 84044. 2018-06-29
• The Susheel Trust. runs a local school and a guest house. 2021-11-02
• Saath. A non-profit organisation could arrange a stay upon request. 2021-11-02

Connect

Go next

• Bhuj
• Mandvi