They were commissioned by the royal rulers for civic, strategic and philanthropic reasons to make it easier for the people to have access to water.
In regions where there is abundant fresh water during the monsoon season, but arid during the dry season, stepwells provided access year round to fresh water filtered through the earth.
Their cool interiors also provided relief from the desert heat. At
the bottom of the well the air remains 5-6 °C cooler than at the surface.
The wells were not only practical sources of water, but they also served as community spaces for social gatherings and religious rituals.
One of the most famous stepwells is Chand Baori, located in Rajasthan northern India.
Built in the 9th century by King Chand of the Nikumbh dynasty, it is one of the deepest and largest stepwells in India. There are 3,500 steps over 13 levels and it goes down about 30m (100 ft) deep.
One side of the well has a haveli pavilion and resting room for the royals.
In partial ruins, the Harshat Mata Temple, dedicated to the
goddess of joy and happiness, is beside the Chand Baori stepwell.
Some useless Cocktail Trivia, since I haven’t mentioned any for a while:
2 comments:
What an amazing feat of engineering and it looks like it is carved out of rock. More impressive is what you can't see, all the material that was removed from the hole. I'm assuming it is still in use. While the most populous country I have read that there is still a large percentage of the population that do not have basic sanitation. When I was in Houston I had to put together a training plan for EITs from Bangalore. Combo of Westhollow and Deer Park refinery. Very well educated but most wanted to be managers at the end of the year, not engineers. "When will I be a manager" was a frequent question.
Sorry for not being in touch more but had about 6 weeks of breast cancer uncertainty for Anne but now have the all-clear.
Take care you two rascals
the photos almost don't do it justice
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