STEPS TOWARDS WATER
A journey to the hidden underground architecture The hidden underground world of Stepwells
India
Stepwells Gujrat Chand Baori Rajasthan
Ellora cave temples Maharastra
Travel Trajectory of Ancient Caves 1. Rajasthan 2. Gujrat 3. Maharastra
Aravalli Mountain Range
Rockcut temples of Illora
Patan
Rani ki Vav Stepwell
Siddhpur
Speculative Map of Travel Route
Where Rani ki Vav Rani ki vav is a water temple built by mother petron queen Udaymati during approximately 1050 AD. It is located in the outskirts of Patan City. The city was built on the river banks of Saraswati. As Saraswati was a season river they developed elaborated water channel system, filtering and preserving water in semi desert area of Gujarat. This is an example of ancient wisdom building permanent low tech no-tech design solutions. This an inspirational colossal of steps creating thought provoking visuals.
Ellora Cave Temples Ellora is one of the largest rock-cut monastery-temple caves complexes in the world, and a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Maharashtra, India. The site presents monuments and artwork of Buddhism, Hinduism and Jainism from the 600-1000 CE period. Cave 16, also known as the Kailasa temple, is considered one of the most remarkable cave temples in India because of its size, architecture and having being entirely carved out of a single living rock.The structure is a freestanding, multi-storeyed temple complex, covers an area double the size of Parthenon in Athens. It is estimated that the artists carefully removed three million cubic feet of stone to create and shape the Kailasha temple, or about 200,000 tonnes of basaltic rock.
Rani ki Vav Stepwell in Patan
How Eye opening experience “Traveling – it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.” – Ibn Battuta
This Xref is going to give me an opportunity to bridge the gap between advancement of technology and rich cultural wisdom. This is going to be a journey towards incredible underground world. I am very excited about sharing the stories of architecture and mythology. Sometimes I get overwhelmed just by looking at the pictures of carvings and articulation on the vertical surfaces. It will also be fascinating to know what local people think about this hidden james of architecture. I am also very excited to discuss how sustainable water conservation can be achieved by low tech/ no tech design solutions. How can architecture become inherent, celebratory part of society.
Why A journey towards water This is a journey going backwards and finding the roots. While referring to the unique stepwells of Patan and cave temples of Ellora, I wondered where architecture stands today and what role does it play in the process of ‘change’. I was always fascinated by underground humble architecture trying to camouflage itself in the context. But the stepwells have a very strong place in my heart, as they are dark, cold, peaceful spaces like mother’s womb.
Stepwells are stepped corridors leading down wards to around six seven stories underground. They are religious, communal amenities celebrating the procession towards water and rich craftsmanship of that time. Most stepwells are found in the dry and deserted western part of India. The walls are filled with carvings narrating the stories from past and celebrating the life in the desert.
Visionary drawing of the stepwell Visionary Drawing of Stepwell