Karoonjhar Mountains are located in Tharparkar. This is only hill in the district near Nagarparkar on the northern edge of the Rann of Kutch. It consists of granite rocks, (probably an outlying mass of the crystalline rocks of the Aravalli range. The Aravalli series belongs to Archaen system which constitutes the oldest rocks of the Earth's crust) and Chinese clay. This is a small area quite different from the desert. The tract is flat and level except close to Nagarparkar itself. The principal range Karoonjhar is approximately 19 km in length and attains a height of 305 m. Smaller hills rise in the east, which are covered with sparse jungle and pasturage and give rise to two perennial springs named Achleshwar and Sardharo as well as temporary streams called Bhetiani and Gordhro, after the rains. Karoonjhar Dam is being constructed to supply water to people of Nagarparkar area.
Karoonjhar is rich in mineral deposits, and stones raked out of Karoonjhar are used for the construction of buildings. A variety of stones, in a rare combination of red, black, brown, green and white shades are available in the mountain. The most precious among these is the granite, which is also found in many shades.
The economic importance of Karoonjhar can be judged from a popular local saying: "Karoonjhar yields a hundred kilos of gold daily". It basically implies that the mountain range is rich in deposits. In addition, there are a number of plants that are rich in medicinal value, and which the locals use to treat various ailments. These include khokhro, gun wel, satawari, jhangli basar (wild onion), shiv jati, uth kanthi, gogaroo and many others.
The poets of Sindh and Gujarat have referred to the Karoonjhar in several verses, for many reasons. The myths and lores of Sadwant and Saranga, Hothal pari and Odho Jam, Bherio garori, Moondre ji sati phool, etc., are related to the Karoonjhar. Hothal pari (fairy) - a fabulous character of Sindh's folklores - is believed to have had appeared first in the Karoonjhar mountains. In ancient times, Karoonjhar was also popularly known as Kinro. The mountain range has many places of historical significance, such as Bhodeser talao, Sardaro, Alakh wao (hidden well), Anchlechure, Nani, Gao mukhi, Punraj gadr, Chandan gadr, Bhaun jo bheesro, Jharno and Bhaunro. In the past, many people were exiled to the Karoonjhar by monarchs of nearby states.
In the monsoon, the rainwater pours down the Karoonjhar hills and flows down in the shape of more than 20 rain streams - Bhatiani, Gordaro, Ghatiari, Sukhpur, Madanwah, Moondaro, Ranaser, Bhodeser, Maoo, Lolrai, Drah, Puranwah, etc. - to the Ranr of Kutch. If these rain streamlets are converted into small dams, the people and the cattle of Nangar and its surroundings would no longer die of thirst, and drought, perhaps, would never take place in Nagarparkar.People, on their own, have made efforts to contain the rainwater in small ponds and it has made life somewhat easier for them. But this water is not enough to sustain the entire population of the area, and more efforts on the part of the government are needed in this regard.The area experiences extreme of climate due to rocky terrain. But August and September is best for visit.
Click here for photos of Karonjhar Mountains
Karoonjhar is rich in mineral deposits, and stones raked out of Karoonjhar are used for the construction of buildings. A variety of stones, in a rare combination of red, black, brown, green and white shades are available in the mountain. The most precious among these is the granite, which is also found in many shades.
The economic importance of Karoonjhar can be judged from a popular local saying: "Karoonjhar yields a hundred kilos of gold daily". It basically implies that the mountain range is rich in deposits. In addition, there are a number of plants that are rich in medicinal value, and which the locals use to treat various ailments. These include khokhro, gun wel, satawari, jhangli basar (wild onion), shiv jati, uth kanthi, gogaroo and many others.
The poets of Sindh and Gujarat have referred to the Karoonjhar in several verses, for many reasons. The myths and lores of Sadwant and Saranga, Hothal pari and Odho Jam, Bherio garori, Moondre ji sati phool, etc., are related to the Karoonjhar. Hothal pari (fairy) - a fabulous character of Sindh's folklores - is believed to have had appeared first in the Karoonjhar mountains. In ancient times, Karoonjhar was also popularly known as Kinro. The mountain range has many places of historical significance, such as Bhodeser talao, Sardaro, Alakh wao (hidden well), Anchlechure, Nani, Gao mukhi, Punraj gadr, Chandan gadr, Bhaun jo bheesro, Jharno and Bhaunro. In the past, many people were exiled to the Karoonjhar by monarchs of nearby states.
In the monsoon, the rainwater pours down the Karoonjhar hills and flows down in the shape of more than 20 rain streams - Bhatiani, Gordaro, Ghatiari, Sukhpur, Madanwah, Moondaro, Ranaser, Bhodeser, Maoo, Lolrai, Drah, Puranwah, etc. - to the Ranr of Kutch. If these rain streamlets are converted into small dams, the people and the cattle of Nangar and its surroundings would no longer die of thirst, and drought, perhaps, would never take place in Nagarparkar.People, on their own, have made efforts to contain the rainwater in small ponds and it has made life somewhat easier for them. But this water is not enough to sustain the entire population of the area, and more efforts on the part of the government are needed in this regard.The area experiences extreme of climate due to rocky terrain. But August and September is best for visit.
Click here for photos of Karonjhar Mountains