Vadodara: During the summers, Barodians in many areas stare at the water supply crisis. But residents of many colonies in Tarsali aren’t worried. For, a 300-year-old step-well quenches their thirst. While many step-wells across the state have disappeared or have been encroached upon, this step-well known as ‘Piparwali Vaav’, isn’t just protected but also revered by the locals.
“We built a temple of Sikotar Maata on this step-well about eight years ago. Thousands of devotees from Vadodara and adjacent districts visit this temple during Chaitri Navratri and offer prayers. The temple now protects this historic step-well that is well maintained,” said Rakesh Patel, president of Tarsali’s Hanuman Temple Trust, who has been maintaining the step-well with the help of locals.
In fact, the devotees are offered water from the step-well as prasad. “As a temple has been built on the step well, devotees now consider it as pious. We understand the importance of step-wells that were built by our ancestors and it is our duty to protect them. The locals look after this ‘vaav’ regularly,” said Vibhanshu Chavda, a resident of Tarsali.
“People from all castes and communities drink water of this step-well. From an upper caste farmer to labourers, all have used water from this well for years. We empty it once every year, clean it up following which fresh groundwater percolates in the step-well again,” Patel said.
It is believed that the sarpanch of Tarsali village allowed members of the Vanzara community to stay here about three centuries ago. He also permitted them to dig a step-well. The community stayed here for some years before shifting to another village but the step-well survived. It was surrounded by open fields and, as a mark of good luck, farmers used to offer jaggery in a small temple inside this well before sowing seeds in their farms.