Hyderabad: A nearly two-centuries old step well located in the Sitarambagh Temple in Old City, which was once central to temple rituals, will soon come to its past glory.The restoration works are aimed at preserving the ancient architecture besides reviving the traditional water management system that went defunct for the past several decades. The temple built by Puranmal Ganeriwal, a Rajasthan native, built around 1832 was once home to seven step wells. However, one step well lost to time and neglect. Efforts are on to revive remaining step wells, with works commencing on ‘Dakshina Pushkarani’, one of the seven step wells. Following permissions from the endowments department, SAHE NGO is working on the project along with Rainwater project and Heritage matters, which are funded by Paramparaa Foundation. De-vegetation has been done to clear the dense growth surrounding the well, which had become inaccessible. It was followed by de-watering and desilting. A 32-feet of silt from the well has been removed. “We have constructed recharge pits to improve water percolation in the well. We will understand water pattern storage. Sensors will be monitoring water levels in the well,” Rainwater Project founder Kalpana Ramesh told Deccan Chronicle. After initial clearing and water rejuvenation, works on structural restoration, preserving the original character of the well, will be carried out. The conservation architects involved in the project have concluded with the structure’s documentation and fine drawing. Using the material like lime, the structure will be brought back to original form. “Every well that we restore is not about water but reviving heritage, culture and community connection. Efforts are on to complete stepwell revival by the end of this year,” added Kalpana Ramesh. Explaining about the temple’s history, Sitarambagh Temple chairman, Dr Arvind Kumar Ganeriwal said, “The temple was built by his forefathers who had come to Hyderabad from Rajasthan for business. The temple has the architectural style of Rajasthani, Mughal and European.” Dr Ganeriwal said on the behalf of the temple management he had undertaken cleaning of two stepwells – ‘Pushkarani’ and ‘Vaikunta’ — in 1980’s, resulting in water levels going up. “The one stepwell near the veterinary hospital disappeared long ago. I did not see it either. Earlier, water from Pushkarani had been used for temple rituals but now we rely on the two wells inside the temple. Once this restoration work is finished, we will take up the revival of the other five stepwells one by one,” he added.
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