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Shri Mahavir Jain Aradhana Kendra
www.kobatirth.org
Acharya Shri Kailassagarsuri Gyanmandir
Most wells are adjacent to temples and the religious dimension is important, water being regarded as sacred and direct from the Ganges (symbolically). Waterborne deities often feature in the sculptures found in niches on either side of the pavillion (verandās).
Recreational bathing often took place, especially amongst royal families, while mourners in a very different context, would ritually cleanse their bodies after funerals. These social and religious aspects of the wells assisted community cochesion, something that was not well understodd by the British Raj who banned their use in the 19th century as a health hazard.?
The dereliction of so many wells must be placed at the door of the British Raj who declared them unhealthy and banned their use. This was a misguided policy and did not recognized the important and valuable functions they served. They are often built by royal families, Mahārājās, princes and queens as acts of generosity and benevolence for the community by providing access to water in a desert environment, cool shelter and a place to meet on long journeys and as a place to worship. May of the wells are important religious sites, adjacent to temples and richly decoarated with hundreds of stone carvings of India Gods, animals and other symbols. These structures served many other purpose. As places of entertainment, there are dance platforms built in Bāoris to be found in Kota (Amli Meena), for recreational bathing thus serving a very different purpose to providing a place to bath and cleanse the body following a funeral ceremony.
The wells feel into discuse in the 19th century being replaced by water pumps. The changing level of groundwater and the unreliable nature of the Monsoon were also factors that led to the wells' demise and, 150 years on, the majority are now dry. Although a great many of these wells are neglected and beyond repair, the decision by the Government to restore some important sites is an important recognition that stepwells are significant examples of traditional Indian architecture. Their preservation, even in a limited capacity, is an important initivative and very welcome.
It is difficult to generalize regarding the different sturctures and forms of wells. The construction of these wells reflect a number of influences-natural geographical features, types of soil, rainfall, groundwater level and the distinctive styles of the respective regions. The status of those responsible for their construction varies greatly, was build by an itinerant gypsy, contrasting greatly with those constructed by Royal Families.
One of the earliest monuments connected with the storing and keeping of water that come to light in Gujarat seems to be the deep tank or bath' in the Buddhist caves in the uparkot in Junagadh. The earliest three step wells near the village of Dhank in Saurashtra, which are structurally built. Their construction falls into the pre-chaulukya period and their date could be ascribed to the early 7th century, during the rule of the saindhavas in that erea. One stepwell which is located about 15 km to the west of the village of Dhank, later called Bochavodi vāva. The two stepwells in Dhank itself are 36
Huuluu : 4. 24, vis 3-8, zsal. 2006 – HZ, 2006
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