Captivating examples of inverted architecture, bawris or stepwells were built in drought-prone regions of India to provide water all year round, ensuring communities had access to vital water storage and irrigation systems.
Centuries of natural decay and neglect have pushed these structures into oblivion. But in recent years, these ancient edifices are being restored to help tackle India’s acute water problem as we undergo the worst water crisis in history.
This ancient technology of the stepwells might offer a solution.
At Project Bawri, we want to revive these historic water management systems to refill ground aquifers and make drinking water accessible.
Reviving bawris or stepwells will enable people to reclaim their traditional resources and spaces of community life. With the holding capacity that stepwells have, a great burden of water scarcity can be mitigated.
Vision
Reconstruct, clean and revive stepwells to curb India’s water crisis
Mission
To incite awareness about traditional water management systems