An exhibition ‘Bawdis of India and Sea Jewels’ underway at Madhya Pradesh Tribal Museum is attracting visitors of all ages. This exhibition comprises of sea shells, pearls and about 80 photographs of Step wells (Bawdis).
This photo exhibition organnised by Archaeology Department, Madhya Pradesh is an effort to put in display all these selected Step wells (Bawdies) for the visitors. These Step Wells were most popular amongst the States of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Karnataka etc. Most of them are still in working condition and are useful in water resource management. Worth mentioning in the display are Gujarat’s Rani Ni Bawdi, Patan, Bawdi from Sun Temple of Modhera, Chand Bawdi from Abhaneri, Rajasthan, Raniji Ki Bawdi from Bundi.
Many Step Wells were constructed in many different regions in Madhya Pradesh also. The exhibition also displays ‘Battisi Bawdi,’Chakla Bawdi’ and ‘Raja Ki Bawdi’ from Chanderi. Champa Bawdi, Rewa Kund, the Bawdi that witnessed the famous story of Rani Roopmati of Mandu and Baj Bahadur is also on display in the exhibition. Also on the display are Ujali and Andheri Bawdi and Bawdi located at Bada Bagh, Bhopal.
The exhibition also showcases Agrasen Bawdi from Delhi, Hazrat Nizzamuddin’s Bawdi, Gandak ki Bawdi. Apart from these Karnataka’s Taj Bawdi, Kerala’s Kunnoor Bawdi, Maharashtra’s Saptatirtha Pushkarni, lucknow’s Bawdi of Imambada and Odisha’s 11th century Rock architecture Udaygiri Bawdi are also noticeable. The 4,500 years old ‘Great Bath’ of Harrappan civilization is also on the display.
The goal of this exhibition is to make people aware of these Step wells and their preservation. This exhibition will continue till February 28.