Many hidden stepwells were built along ancient trade routes, offering weary merchants and pilgrims a place to perform mandatory cleansing rituals before entering a village or temple. The inclusion of shrines within the wells allowed people to perform daily prayers ( puja ) and make offerings to water deities, ensuring the community's survival through the changing seasons. Preserving India's Hidden Heritage
Despite their historical and cultural significance, India's hidden baths face an uncertain future. The majority of stepwells are derelict, filled with trash and abandoned. Even protected structures like Gandhak ki Baoli, which falls under the Archaeological Survey of India, "lacks proper maintenance and is a shadow of its former avatar". Pigeons now roost in the niches where torches once burned at night. indian bath hidden
If this article has stirred the adventurer in you, proceed with caution. India’s hidden baths are dangerous. The water is often fetid, the steps are slimy with algae, and there is no oxygen below the third level. Many hidden stepwells were built along ancient trade