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Many a well, has a story to tell!

Written by : TNM

Madhavi Pothukuchi| November 11, 2014| 2.57 pm ISTIn India, when it comes to water, wells have always been one of the primary sources. Today, we see wells being used only in remote villages, where the state cannot penetrate with its pipes for water supply. But wells aren’t just sources for water, some are centuries old and hold a lot of historical significance. A Facebook group has taken to documenting such wells in and around the country. “Open Wells of India and the World” is a public group on Facebook where people can post photographs and write-ups of wells seen around the country and the world. Run by Viswanath S, the group allows anyone to join and post, read and look at interesting wells. “The group has no particular objective. This is just to recognize that wells still have an important role to play in sustainable water provision, and can be recharged with rainwater and brought to life and still fit in to the context of India’s water supply,” said Viswanath, who is a civil engineer and urban planner who also works for water sustainability issues in the country. The group has over 800 members and 28 albums full of photographs of wells from various parts of the country and the world. Some posts from the group: ( Image 1: A well within a well at Jakkur Lake)(Image 2: A dry step well )(Image 3: Old step well at Mauli Temple, Kankumbhi at the border of Karnataka, Goa and Maharashtra; where Karnataka is building a huge water diversion project, the bone of contention between Goa and Karnataka)(Image 4: A 150 year old well, near the town of Panna, Madhya Pradesh)(Image 5: An ancient step well near a temple) (Image 6: An open well, or 'Innar' as they are called in Nepali, inside a temple in Bhaktapur, Nepal.)(Image 7: A traditional well in a backyard in Kerala)(Image 8: Adalaj Vav. ('Vav' meaning well, in Gujarati) A huge open well in Gujarat, built in 1498)(Image 9: Painting of masonry well on Wall. This was captured at least one and a half decade ago from one of the old havelis in Shekhawati (dist. Sikar)(Image 10: A 150 year old masonry tank in  Haryana.)

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