Treading Deep waters at the Toorji ka Jhalra Bavdi, a stepwell with one of the finest architecture in Jodhpur.

Jodhpur, The Blue City is the second-largest city in Rajasthan after Jaipur. With Numerous Forts and Royal Mahals, Temples, and places that take your breath away, a place that went unnoticed even by Wikipedia. Moreover, if you even head over to the page of Rajasthan Tourism and explore places to visit in Jodhpur, this place does not get a mention. It is only recently that people started taking interest in discovering this very new yet existing for years urban regeneration project- Toorji ka Jhalra. What’s more astonishing? This place is just a few meters away from a very popular architectural clock tower. But we are putting this destination right in your top 10 places to visit whenever you visit Jodhpur. Why? Let’s get to exploring!

Toorji ka Jhalra: taking you through a mini- architectural tour of this Stepwell.

Yes, you read it right. Toorji ka Jhalra is a Stepwell with little to almost no information on its past and history. But what are we here for? We did some digging and by the grace of our fellow travel community. That loves to explore hidden gems we found out a lot more about this 200 feet deep Stepwell.

A little flashback into the History of Toorji ka Jhalra: who built this stepwell?

Toorji ka Jhalra or Stepwell was built by the Queen and Wife of the Rajputana Maharaja Abhay Singh in the year 1740 as a part of Royal Tradition. It was that the women of the Royal Family should make a stepwell to the clan deities or the water gods and other gods of the Hindu Religion. These step wells were a symbol of respect and were a tribute to the divine. The Maharani or Queen was originally from the Patan Region of Gujarat where one of the world’s most marvelous stepwell exists even today- Rani ki Vav. And thus the Queen bought a part of her matriarchial tradition to Rajasthan and built Toorji ka Jhalra in Jodhpur.

A stepwell is an inverted pyramid of a kind built as a well to store water and is a water body built by The Royals. It has many floors and levels with intricate architectural details to depict which God or Deity has it been built for. A normal Tradition in the Royal family of Rajputana was to build Stepwells to ensure the general public gets access to waterworks and bodies.

The Architecture of Toorji ka Jhalra:

Like most of the step wells in India, Toorji ka Jhalra also has steps to get down and have better access to water when the water levels would be low during the summers, etc. however, this stepwell is about 200 feet deep! And the inner lining of the walls has intricately carved details like dancing elephants, medieval lions, cow water spouts, and many more underwater idols of various Gods and Goddesses from the Hindu Religion.

Another stunning feature is the technology using sheer power and strength drawn from Bullocks who would circle the Persian Wheel. That monitored the water levels and made water accessible as per the wheel being rotated on different levels and floors. What today requires a motor, back then was facilitated by using bullocks to rotate the wheel. Also, this is what we call the perfect amalgamation of Beauty and Brains. Truly an architectural marvel.

The Restoration and Present Day Condition of Toorji ka Jhalra:

With no attention garnered as a tourist destination for decades. This stepwell was submerged in water and was littered and full of waste and garbage for years. Recently volunteers came forward to clean, drain and restore this stepwell. Even now the stepwell is maintained and looks so flawless because of the volunteers who stepped ahead.

Moreover, the JDH Urban Regeneration Project has taken up the initiative to make this place more noticeable. With efforts like shops, restaurants, and cafes around the region of Toorji ka Jhalra since 2016. The stepwell is now finally after years of hard work taking a shape.

While Tourists often have a jam-packed itinerary of visiting all the trending places that any tourist destination has to offer. Restoration efforts of places like Toorji ka Jhalra go in vain even when they deserve a second chance. It is up to us, the part of the travel community to explore gems like Toorji ka Jhalra and EXPLORE!!