Sevasi Vav: Sustainability with a Touch of Cultural Heritage

A healthy environment is the foundation of a stable and prosperous civilization. Sustainable practices ensure the well-being of current and future generations. This thought is celebrated extensively on World Nature Conservation Day. The judicious management and utilization of natural resources are what conservation of nature entails. The conservation movement is dedicated to saving species from extinction, preserving, restoring, and refining ecosystems, and safeguarding biological diversity.

Water is one such exploited element. It has historically been a significant factor in nurturing civilizations. India has a long history of human intervention in water management for agriculture. The ancient religious texts provide valuable insight into the water storage and conservation methods that existed long ago. Texts like Shilpasastras, Samaranganasutradhara mention various water storage facilities like wells, tanks, kunds.

In parts of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and North Karnataka (Karnataka)-several step-wells are still present. They not only provided water supply but were utilitarian in strategy. And often have architectural and social significance by serving as temple tanks. Since step-wells are located deep into the ground, not being exposed to heat helps in keeping the water cool. During the monsoon, water is recharged that eventually dries up in summer. It also served as a retreating place for travellers, caravans, even the villagers in hot season with stone benches, beautiful ornamentation. Ritualistic activities that satisfied spiritual needs were performed. Today, more than 200 step-wells are likely to be discovered in Gujarat alone. It is said that the first step-wells were erected in Gujarat, and hence the moniker of ‘land of step-wells. 

They are referred to as Vav in Gujarati and Baori in Hindi. One fine day when going out was considered healthy, along with my college friends, we went to venture into the infamous yet secluded Sevasi Vav. Built during the reign of Sultan Mehmud Begada, the Sevasi Vav is located in the Sevasi Village, outskirts of Vadodara. Said to be built in 1543 CE by Raja Haridas in the memory of a spiritual leader, Vidhyadhar. The vav is seven floors below ground and we entered through a gate-like structure with a dome in the middle. The elephant and tiger relief work on both sides of its gate welcomed us. It is said to be constructed with a mix of brick masonry and a system of stone columns. Keeping in mind the orientation like the rest step-wells, it’s in the east-west direction. Researchers have claimed that one can feel the sudden drop in the temperature on entering the vav which proves the vav’s ability of water storage efficiency. The locals depended on it for hundreds of years surviving the semi-arid climate of the state. It is a treat to the eyes as the structure shines brighter with sunlight beaming in and the vav lits up gloriously.

Figure 1: Entrance of Sevasi Vav

Figure 2: Top view

 Standing on the seventh step on your right side lies a mandala. The mandala is presumed to be associated with the Vastu Shastra diagram. The walls are intricately carved with motifs that can be spotted on each level. Torans, flowers, bells, animals such as elephants, horses, and bird engraving can be seen. False ‘jharokhas’ with floral patterns on their walls are seen. Following the stairs, as one proceeds down, on every intermediary floor, pillar gateway, carved with magnificent floral motifs, horse subjects, a pair of birds carved can be seen on either side of its capital. On the 63rd step, a large platform with a Trishul, dedicated to Shiva is placed in front of an ‘Agnikund‘. Religious activities like hawans, puja, and such are held there as it performs as an active temple. The 80th step has a pillar with an elephant motif on both sides of a Gujarati inscription mentioning the date and year of construction of the Vav. 

Figure 3: A diagram which is assumed to be related to Vastu Shastra

Figure 4: Horse motif on the pillar

Figure 5: Gujarati Inscription

Figure 6: Agnikund, on the right-hand side lies the Trishul

A dried-out-up well stands parallelly across the 99th step. The last few steps got submerged in the water. Two lanes run on either side of the stepwell, which may have once served as a bridge. These two alleys form a mini-narrow entrance exit to a platform-like structure directly in the centre of the stepwell, on the 7^th storey. Following the two alleyways, the dome-like building awaits at the other end. The dome has two entrances and exits via stairwells. The balcony inside the dome provides a clear view of the stepwell from the top as well as the well on the opposite side.

Figure 7: Water filled with Garbage

Figure 9: Top view of the well

Figure 10: View of the Doom from the top storey

Figure 11: View from within the Sevasi Vav. 

However, decades of neglect have damaged the building, which is now in disrepair. One of the walls has even slanted slightly, and some pillars have developed fractures. According to locals, if the wall is not provided external support, the entire building may collapse. Even the 25-foot-deep well is overflowing with trash, leaving little place for water. Avantika Singh, a former collector of the district, visited the place with other prominent people a few years ago and was shown around the steps by the villagers. They had also presented a case for its rehabilitation. In 2014, a city-based wildlife NGO and an Ahmedabad-based NGO had cleaned the Vav as a part of the ‘Swachh Monuments’ campaign. However, it is only Patel who looks after the monument.

  Due to lack of protection, the vav’s paintings got harmed by a person. The acid produced by the mixture of smoke and moisture from burning offerings has harmed the plasterwork. Despite complaints to authorities, the problem has not been investigated, and the individual continues to do so without consequence.

Richard Moe, National Trust for Historic Preservation, says:

“There may have been a time when preservation was about saving an old building here or there, but those days are gone. Preservation is in the business of saving communities and the values they embody.”

 The heritage monuments are gradually losing their essence due to a lack of preservation. They are inhabited, utilized, transformed, and incorporated into the everyday lives of the people. Water is one of the most basic needs. India is severely water-stressed. We should try to rely on the practical and sustainable water conservation techniques that have emerged throughout ancient periods.

Bibliography:

1. Pathak, A. and Kulkarni, U.D., 2007. Influence of Chalukya architecture on Hampi stepwell. In National Seminar on Water and Culture: June 25 (Vol. 27).
2. Tayyibji, R., 2016. Ancient Stepwells of Ahmedabad: A Conversation on Water and Heritage. Sutra Journal.
3. http://edugreen.teri.res.in/explore/water/conser.htm
4. https://medcraveonline.com/IJH/IJH-04-00250.pdf
5. https://www.myindiamyglory.com/2019/12/17/sevasi-vidyadhar-vav-1543-stepwell-built-by-raja-haridas-awaits-revival/
6. https://historyofvadodara.in/vav-stepwells/#:~:text=According%20to%20a%20Devnagari%20inscription,was%20revered%20in%20Sevasi%20village
7. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/engineering/natural-resource-conservation
8. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/vadodara/529-year-old-vav-lies-in-a-shambles/articleshow/55534190.cms
9. https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/water/pride-in-ruins-60781
10. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/engineering/natural-resource-conservation

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