Chabutro

Chabutro or Chabutaro or Chabutra is a structure mostly found in villages of Gujarat State of India. It is a tower-like structure with octagonal or pentagonal shaped enclosures at the top. In the upper enclosure are several holes, wherein birds can make their nests. In Gujarat these are constructed at the entrances villages, especially for use and breeding of pigeons. Inside this structure mostly pigeons reside and breed. Mostly such monuments are found in village centers or at village entrances in the Gujarat & Kutch in India. At the base of the structure a sitting platform is usually made. The base and the surrounding area of this structure serves as a gathering place for villagers and as a playing area for children.

Another type of Chabutro, which can be seen in Gujarat & Rajasthan have different design and are built only for feeding & resting place for birds & not for breeding purpose. The upper enclosure of such Chabutra are artistically craved and designed like a window of house with conical dome or Chhatri.

In English it can vaguely be defined as "Pigeon-Tower" or "Pigeon-hole-tower". Actually, Chabutaro is a word of Gujarati language. In Gujarati language Pigeon is called Kabutar. The word Chabutro has arrived from word Kabutar, since Chabutaro is specially constructed for use and breeding of Pigeons only in Gujarat, especially Kutch. People and specially ladies of Gujarat, belonging to Hindu faith, consider it auspicious to feed Pigeons. Therefore, this structure is made in villages, where pigeons can live. In early morning, you can find ladies, children and gents alike feeding grains to Pigeons below Chabutro. The Chabutaro is, therefore, usually found in villages dominated or established by Hindu, Kshatriya & Brahmin communities of Gujarat.

For example, In Kutch district of Gujarat, Chabutro can be normally found in almost all villages of Mistris, a Hindu & Kshatriya clan, who were themselves master-craftsman and specialized in such construction. For example, Chabutro at Sinugra in Kutch, the image is shown here.

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