D a d a   H a r i   B a o l i   ( s t e p - w e l l )   -   1   o f   2
I N D I A   :::  A H M E D A B A D

The baoli or step-well is a peculiarly Gujerati piece of genius. There are dozens of them scattered around the state in various stages of decay but the Adilaj and Dada Hari wells are the best known. The baolis were all cut deep into the ground with staircases leading down through a series of shaded galleries to a well at the bottom. They served the dual purpose of providing a reliable water supply and offering shelter from the mid-day sun. In the cool shady depths of the baoli travellers could rest and pray in 'air-conditioned' comfort. The Dada Hari well was built in 1499 and is easily reached by auto-rickshaw from the centre of Ahmedabad.