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:
-
SantaPark, Lapland, Finland
-
Champaka Sarasi, Shivamogga, Karnataka, India
-
The moon rises for Mid-Autumn Festival
-
Chinese New Year
-
Craters of the Moon centennial
-
The crossroads of empires
-
For Hispanic Heritage Month: Out of Many, One
-
Ancient groves in Australia
-
Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
-
Merry and bright
-
Przewalskis horses, Hustai National Park, Mongolia
-
Vila Franca Islet, São Miguel Island, Azores, Portugal
-
National Audubon Society s Christmas Bird Count
-
Earth Day
-
A polar bear near Churchill, Manitoba, Canada
-
Heri es-Swani in Meknes, Morocco
-
Hemakuta Hill, Hampi, India
-
National Hispanic Heritage Month
-
Grand Canyon National Park anniversary
-
Southern right whales sail home to South Africa
-
Nature Photography Day
-
Welcome to the drainpipe of the Pacific
-
North Sea at sunset, Norddorf, Germany
-
Native American Heritage Day
-
Everglades National Park, Florida
-
The Unfinished Obelisk near Aswan, Egypt
-
Indigenous living
-
Pretty in pink, and purple, and red…
-
Celebrate Mandela Day
-
The Giants Causeway, Northern Ireland
Bing Wallpaper Gallery

