Gujarat and Rajastan rulers invented clever methods for storing water in response to the semi-arid climate, seasonal changes, and cultural and religious practices in their states.  Vavs (step-wells) are subterranean structures that store drinking water, provide a resting space to travelers and provided a place for socializing. Although vavs are secular, the sanctity of water drove the benefactors to incorporate religious icons into the structures.  They also added form to function, giving birth to some of the regions’s  most extraordinary heritage  sites.

The largest step-well in the world is in Rajastan in a little town named Abhaneri. It is surrounded by huts and shacks from which people emerge when tour buses arrive.  The step-well is called ChandBaori which you probably don’t recognize, but you have seen.  It was featured predominately in the last Batman film.

This was the summer palace of  the ruler and his family.

The steps are in the shape of a pyramid for sitting or walking down to the water.  They are 1000 years old.

The water is obviously non-potable now, but in ancient times , after the monsoons filled the vav, people would just from the steps and swim in celebration of the life-giving water.

Believe it or not, there is no entrance fee to this India’s largest and the world’s deepest (13 stories)  vav, but a $1.00 charge is taken if you which to film or take pictures.  Well worth the money, don’t you think?

From The Dark Knight Rises, a really terrific film from 2012!                                                     (Filmmakers change forms to use sites for their movies. We learned that in Troy when an Al Pacino film was shot here. You have to wait for the credits at the end to be sure!)

Namaste. . . . . .. . This Is Incredible India!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ilWbowNv5PI