The Stepwells Project by Manish Pimpley

Water is a pivotal force, for physical sustenance and for deep spiritual significance in Indian culture. Across India, water management systems have thrived, notably in arid regions, with stepwells as vital elements.
Stepwells, colloquially known as baav, vav, barav, and in various other regional names, are architectural wonders built to conserve water. These structures, once vibrant community centers and lifelines for settlements, have weathered time’s trials. Sadly, shifting development priorities have led to neglect and disrepair for some, fading echoes of their once-cherished purpose.

Venturing into Western Maharashtra for Stepwells reportage project, my trail was to trace these historical marvels and capture the life that surrounds them. These stepwells, embedded in the land’s history, served diverse roles—providing water for settlements, agriculture, and trade routes, also fostering social gatherings and religious rituals.
There are over 1800+ stepwells geo-tagged and mapped in state, each carries tales of its own. From the elaborate architectural designs— be it square, rectangular, circular, or octagonal— to their cultural significance, these stepwells hold a mirror to the past. Their construction based on geological insights and hydrological knowledge of ancient times highlights a sustainable approach that we need to revisit in today’s water-starved regions.

My journey unveiled the varied facets of these stepwells—their geometry, layouts, significance in religious complexes, and integration with the surrounding environment. Some, nestled near temples or amid lush landscapes, stood as serene testaments to craftsmanship and purpose.
Diving deeper into their stories, I encountered stepwells like the Baramotechi vihir and Bajirao vihir designed with resting and meeting spaces, stepwells at Nashik for bathing and rituals purpose, Baneshwar temple stepwell has mausoleum nearby, stepwells at Mallikarjun temple and Ramling temple were activity hubs. While some stepwells, like the Manchar Stepwell, served utilitarian purposes solely for bathing, others, like the Ranjeshwar temple Kund, showcased intricate water management systems, offering insights into ancient water prioritization techniques. Hatti-Barav was unique being source water supply system for city. Each discovery revealed more than architectural prowess; they held tales of heroism, communal efforts, and the intertwining of history with these structures.

These stories weren’t limited to the stepwells alone; they extended to people past and present around… hero stones near Loni Bhapkar stepwell, rituals like pinda-daan at kunds, and the lineage records meticulously preserved by keepers through the ages. The effort to preserve stepwells in Maharashtra, driven by initiatives from locals, volunteers, passionate individuals, and active groups, is particularly a special story. Such endeavors, while inspirational, require collaborative efforts involving communities, experts, and authorities for sustainable success.

Stepwells aren’t just historical relics; they embody a sustainable solution to today’s water crises. Integrating traditional water systems, reimagining these reservoirs, and fostering community engagement could help combat water scarcity, preserve heritage, and create vibrant communal spaces.
My journey through these stepwells was a quest to document their tales, cultural heritage, and inspire a collective appreciation for our ancient wisdom. I carry the hope that these stories spark renewed interest and drive preservation and revival of stepwells across India.

At the bustling Ram Kund, Nashik
Sacred ritual, pinda-daan, unfolds—a tradition steeped in reverence for moksha or liberation of dead soul in family. Male folks tonsure head and perform pooja or worship at the steps or near kund. The dip in water has significance. Here you also encounter lineage record keepers – family records maintained over centuries! They document life and death and people who visited.

Baramotechi vihir, Limb
The well water was used to irrigate mango orchard, plantation nearby. It’s a private property of heirs now, open for public viewing. Large wide steps lead down inside the well, further an underground arched gate made of stone lead to stoned pathway over a rectangular chamber towards octagonal well. One would be surprise to this marvel which looks like a small underground palace. Built in Maratha architecture with simple decorative elements or motif on the sculptures, arches, viewing gallery, space for a small gathering, and levels arrangement, with multiple accesses through step adds to the beauty. It is named due the fact that it has twelve outlets for pulling water from well with bullocks with a mot-bucket.

 

 

 

 

Bhagirathi Kund at the SopanDev Samadhi mandir (Mausoleum). Villagers catchup at the templeafter the prayers. 

Sketches at BaraMotechi Vihir Stepwell

Ram Kund Ranjeshwar temple Kund