“A vast sheet of water, covered with lotus flowers, amid which thousands of aquatic birds and animals live, at the shores of which bathers washed, surrounded by jungle greenery.”
Louis Rousselet, 1894.
Visually the stepwells have little presence above ground, a low masonry wall or pavilion. These are excavations that often descend down five to seven stories. An encounter with it generates both a sense of surprise and a feeling of utter displacement, descending into the earth has a particularly powerful impact. Once inside, the mind takes in the intelligent configurations of stairs, landings, galleries, interior balconies and underground chambers; the telescoping views, towering pavilions and the powerful dance of light and shadow is absolutely captivating.
Accustomed to looking up at architecture, rarely do we see structures with sublime engineering, craftsmanship and masonry going downwards. These magnificent structures have been an indispensable part of several Indian civilisations. Built by members of the ruling class, wealthy merchants or landowners, these were designed to store and replenish groundwater. During their glory days there would be peacocks dancing on the walls, noises of laughing children playing in abandon by the steps, and singing women as they went to collect water, creating a beautiful sanctum of happiness away from the scorching heat of the tropical landscapes.
The whole town of Lakkundi was once a vibrant city dotted with beautiful Chalukyan era temples and mints forging gold coins for the western Chalukyan kingdom. Among these is the perfectly preserved Manikeshwara temple complex, as you approach this temple, you find yourself on a bridge over a veiled Stepwell named the Muskina Bavi.
The builders of this ancient Stepwell ingeniously dug a deep rectangular well to ensure year-round supply of ground water. They then lined the inside using layers of dressed granite slabs creating a simple yet intriguing texture throughout. The primary approach to the water is through a wide staircase which reaches the cool and comforting shelter of a two storey mantapa, the roof of the mantapa is also the bridge which marks the approach to the temple. The builders to make the groundwater available throughout the year and lined the insides with layers of granite. The sacred interrelation of temples and water sources has been seen throughout the Indian culture. In Muskina Bavi this relation has been taken to another level by tying the two together. The subtle offsets within the layers of granite forming steps in some places while a battered wall in others interspersed by shrines put together an intriguing play of shadows cast on the walls of the Stepwell.
Our scaled model of this Stepwell aims to showcase the interrelation between water and the divine.
We invite you to experience these breath taking structures in miniature form complete with its play of light and shadow.
Muskina Bhavi (Limited Edition)
Dimensions (WxDxH) : 265 x 250 x 145 mm
Weight : 16.70 kg
Material : Concrete
Note : The product is made to order and ships in 2-3 weeks on conformation of order.
