Baolis - India's forgotten water temples

India is is rich with its splendorous temples, sculptures, cave painting, forts and palaces. However something that is quite intriguing with their mind-boggling architecture are the step wells of India.  The ancient Indian architects and sculptors have taken the simple, utilitarian wells into another level so that they become architectural master pieces.

Most of the step well in India are found in the western states like Gujarat, Rajasthan some part of north  Karnataka and Delhi.They are known my different names. In Gujarat they are known as  'vav' or  'vavdi'  where as in Rajasthan they are called 'Baoli' or 'Bawdi'. In Karntaka they are know as 'Pushkarini'. The step wells of India, unfortunately doesn't get as much attention as the other monuments. 

 The great step well of Abhineri
Photo By: By Chetan (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

In regions where there is water scarcity, step wells were built making very deep trenches which becomes narrow as going down. The stairs were built in a symmetrical fashion on all sides of the well so as to prevent the land slide and make it easy for fetching water. Most of the existing step wells in India are quite ancient – built between 11^th and 16^th century. These wells were promoted by the Hindu-Mughal emperors. When the British came to rule, they abandoned these wells as they felt step wells fell short of hygiene standards.

Even though most of the step wells are abandoned now, in the olden days these wells were quit lively as it was not only a source of water, but used as a place for social gatherings. The convenient steps on the sides of the Baoli and the wind cooled by the water at the bottom made it a favorite place for the villagers to meet and talk.

Here is a list of the most famous step wells in India.

1. Chand Baoli - Abhineri

This is an enormous step well located in the Abhineri village of Rajasthan. It comes on a detour from the Jaipur - Agra highway. It is believed to be built between AD 800 and 900. It was initially dedicated to Goddess Hashat Mata. Remember the movie "The dark knight rises"? It looks like Christopher Nolan had taken inspiration for the notorious underground jail from Chand Baoli.

 Look at the symmetry!
photo by: By Doron (Own work) [GFDL or CC-BY-SA-3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

There is also many balconies of Pavilion around the Chand Baoli, and also the reminiscent of a temple around it.

The Abhineri step well is unparalleled in it's beauty 
Daniel Villafruela [GFDL or CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

2. Ran-ki vav (Queen’s step well)

Rani ki vav, or Ran-ki vav (Queen’s step well)  is situated at the town of Patan in Gujarat. It is one of the UNESCO world heritage center in India. This intricate step well was built around 1050AD by the Queen of Bhimdev I of Solanki dynasty. It is 27m deep well with an intricate construction and beautiful carving featuring the Hindu Gods. Rani ki vav was completely flooded when the nearby Saraswati River overflowed in 1980s, it as the Archeological Survey of India that excavated this site.This step well is constructed in Maru-Gurjara architectural style. 

Rani-ki-vav - A UNESCO world heritage site
By Bernard Gagnon (Own work) [GFDL or CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Intricately carved pillars of Rani Ki Vav

By Bernard Gagnon (Own work) [GFDL or CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

3.  Dada Harir Vav

This is step well will give you a vertigo if you look into it from the top. Dada Harir Vav is an enormous step well constructed in 1485, by a women named Dada Harir. She was a dependent of Sultan Mahmud Begada of Muzaffarid dynasty. This step well is built in the Solanky architectural style.

It gives you a vertigo, doesn't it?
By Orissa8 (Own work) [CC BY-SA 4.0], via Wikimedia Commons

From the top, it looks like an octagon and it  has five floors. Just imagine the depth of the well and scarcity of water! The galleries around the well are adorned with beautiful carvings and there are stairs leading to the bottom of the well.

Beautifully carved pillars of  Dada Harir Vav

Bornav27may (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

4. Agrasen Ki Baoli

Ducked inside the high rise buildings of the  Connaught Place in New Delhi, there is an ancient step well named Agrasen Ki Baoli. There are no definite historical background for this step well. According to legends and as the name suggests, it is believed to be built by Agrasen, a King who ruled during the Mahabharat time (may be in BC 3000). This step well is built in 3 levels and each level has surrounding walls with carved niches.

It looks like an apartment - Agrasen Ki Baoli

5. Pushkarini Near Mahanavami Dibba - Hampi

This 14^th century stepwell from Hampi is a celebration of symmetry. It was built during the Vijayangara period. In Karnataka, these step wells are known as “Pushkarini”. This beautiful step will with five diminishing stages was found during an excavation in 1980. It is located quite close to the colossal structure named Mahanavami Dibba. Even after being buried under the earth for centuries, there was not much damages to this structure.

The Karnataka style step well at Hampi

6. Muskin Bhanvi – Lakkundi, Karantaka

Lakkundi is a tiny town located near the Hubbali city in Karnataka. It is rich with temples and sculptures from the Kalyani Chalukya period. There is a very deep stepped well near the Manikesvara Temple in Lakkundi. It is called ‘Muskin Bhanvi’. Bhanvi is word used to denote the step wells in this region of Karnataka. This step well is believed to be from 12^th century AD.  

The deep step well of Lakkundy - Karnataka Photo: Pixabay

 

7. Adlaj Vav - Near Ahmadabad Gujarat

This is  again one of the intricately carved step wells from Gujarat. It was made in 15th century by the Sultan Mahmud Begada of Muzaffarid dynasty. According to wikipedia, There are around 120 step wells in and around Gujarat. According to the local legends, there is a tragedy associated with this step well.

The ornate pillars of Adlaj vav
By Raveesh Vyas  [CC BY-SA 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Before the Sultan, this region was ruled by Raja Rana Veer Singh and he had a beautiful queen named Rani Roopba. The sultan conquered the kingdom and killed the Raja. The sultan also wanted to marry the newly widowed queen Rani Roopba. Surprisingly, she agreed - but on one condition. The sultan must first finish the construction of the step well that her husband started. Sultan was totally smitten with the Queen and readily agreed to construct the Adjal Vav. But when once the construction was completed, the queen jumped from the top floor into the well and ended her life. The locals worship her as a Goddess even now. The sultan, even though furious, allowed this marvelous construction to survive.

 The view from the bottom of the Adlaj vav
By Pretty garry (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

8. Neemrana step well - Alwar, Rajasthan 

This step well at Neemrana in Alwar district of Rajasthan would give you a vertigo if you look into it. It is an 18th century construction which is as deep as 9 storey building. In the arid planes of Rajasthan, finding ground water was more difficult than finding gold.  It was built for famine relief by the local Rajas.

The colossal Nimrana vav
By Sourav Das from Santa Barbara [CC BY 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

It is such a colossal construction and definitely make a mark on your memory for ever!

Stepwell_neemrana_india By Mark Greene via Wikimedia Commons

9 .  Modhera sun temple step well - Gujarat

This beautiful step well is situated near the Sun temple complex in Modhera. Modhera is a small city located in the Mehsana district of Gujarat. The temple is quite ancient, built during the 1026-27 AD by the King Bhimdev of Solanky dynasty. However there is no clear information about the construction period of this step well. 

 The stairs of Modhera step well
By Rashesh d (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons

Leading to the step well, there is a beautifully carved domed door frame known as 'Kirti-Torana'. 

Another view of Modhera step well
Photo by Nagarjun Kandukuru, vi Flicker  CC BY 2.0

10. Rajon ki Baoli - Mehruli - Delhi

This ancient step well is located quite hidden in the  Mehruli Archaeological Park in Delhi. It is belived to be built in 1506 by Daulat Khan under the patronage of Sikandar Lodhi.
It is named as Rajon Ki Baoli, as it was used by the royal masons or Raj Mistries. All three sides of this step well is covered with colonnaded arcades. This step well has four diminishing levels. This majestic step well is now dry, lying there unnoticed.

It was once fitting well for the kings!
By Varun Shiv Kapur from Berkeley, United States (Rajon ki Baoli's baoli) [CC BY 2.0], via Wikimedia Commons

11. Ghaus Ali Shah Baoli - Haryana

It is an octagonal shaped step well located in Farrukhnagar close to Gurgaon Haryana. It was built by a local ruler named Ghaus Ali Shah who was under the patronage of Mughal king Farrukh Siyar. It was during the 18th century. 

The surface of the step well

There are also a Sheesh mahal close by. This step well is also in a neglected state. There is also a one kilometer tunnel connecting the Mahal and the step well. Legend says that the queen used this tunnel to reach the step well. 

Interior of the step well

12 Pan-Mina-Ki Baoli - Jaipur, Rajasthan

Pan-Mina-Ki Baoli is located near the fort in the ancient city of Amber in Jaipur, Rajasthan.  It was built in the 16^th century.  The symmetry of the stairs makes Baolis picturesque.  The baoli has cris-cross stairs and a raised central platform.