The stepwell that these women are climbing is an apt image to mark World Water Day. Stepwells originated in western India over a thousand years ago as way for locals in that arid climate to easily and reliably access fresh water—even during the driest months. The Panna Meena Ka Kund stepwell in Jaipur is a classic example of the beautiful, regular, geometric architecture used to produce these useful public works. Most stepwells also feature shaded side chambers where locals (primarily women) can gather to escape the heat of the day.
Celebrating World Water Day
Today in History
More Desktop Wallpapers:
-
Midwinter freeze
-
National Napping Day
-
A day for the oceans
-
Hallstatt, Austria
-
National Moth Week
-
International Lighthouse Lightship Weekend
-
Flooded crypt, Basilica of San Francesco, Ravenna, Italy
-
Racers pushing past sunflowers in the 2018 Tour de France
-
Great Backyard Bird Count
-
Take the plunge into 2021
-
Mardi Gras flower power
-
Bisti/De-Na-Zin Wilderness, New Mexico
-
World Rainforest Day
-
World Penguin Day
-
A new park with a new mission
-
Irohazaka road
-
Corfe gets creepy
-
Bird’s-eye view of the Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco, California
-
Bird s-eye view on World Environment Day
-
Big-wave hunters watch Nazaré
-
Dancing waters of Dubai
-
Spring equinox
-
Flamenco dancers
-
Methoni Castle, Messenia, Greece
-
Taking the forest to the cloud
-
What the hay?
-
An emerald isle of the Emerald Isle
-
New York City skyline
-
Dog days of summer
-
Lençóis Maranhenses National Park in Brazil
Bing Wallpaper Gallery

