Historic stepwell reclaiming its glory

Historic stepwell reclaiming its glory
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Highlights

A lot has been written about the Kakatiya dynasty that evolved and flourished between AD 1083 and 1323, but the imprints left by it in the form of temples and structures are yet to be explored fully. The historic stepwell, one of the architectural marvels of the Kakatiya era, believed to be the swimming pool of Rani Rudrama Devi, is one of the most overlooked landmarks.

Warangal: A lot has been written about the Kakatiya dynasty that evolved and flourished between AD 1083 and 1323, but the imprints left by it in the form of temples and structures are yet to be explored fully. The historic stepwell, one of the architectural marvels of the Kakatiya era, believed to be the swimming pool of Rani Rudrama Devi, is one of the most overlooked landmarks.

Although the multi-storey stepwell, known as Metla Bavi, Anthastula Bavi, etc in local parlance, is located in the alleys of Shiva Nagar barely a couple of kilometers away from Warangal Fort, it can be said literally that neither the archaeological department nor the district administration focused on this heritage structure until recently.

The interiors that have granite rock pillars are similar to that of existing in 1000 Pillars temple and the Fort reflect the unique architecture of Kakatiya times. The extended pavilions in each storey seem to have used to take a breather during the swim.

The local say that the square-shaped stepwell has a secret tunnel through which the queen’s entourage used to access it. With no one to guard and surrounded by bushes, the stepwell had become a secluded place inviting vagabonds for their unscrupulous activities.

With the growing demand of the archaeology lovers and the locals for the restoration of the heritage structure, the district administration has launched a massive cleaning operation of the stepwell.

Thanks to the special care taken by the district collector Amrapali Kata to restore the structure that was not listed under the protected monument by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

“As of now the cleaning of the 12*12 meter (on surface) stepwell filled up with muddy waters and refuse is on. The depth of the well is yet to be fathomed as it never dried up according to local lore,” Aravind Arya Pakide, the tourism and archaeology local coordinator told The Hans India.

Against this backdrop, Telangana State Tourism Development Corporation chairman Pervaram Ramulu, who along with KUDA chairman Marri Yadava Reddy, visited the stepwell on Monday, said: “Measures will be taken to highlight the importance of the structure that has been languishing in wilderness for centuries. Facilities will be improved at the stepwell so that the tourists visiting Warangal Fort, Bhadrakali and 1000-pillar temples would also have a glimpse of the structure.”

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