Mahila Bag Jhalra, Jodhpur, Rajasthan.(Victoria Lautman)

Ujala Baoli, Mandu, in Madhya Pradesh.(Victoria Lautman)

Chand Baoli, Abhaneri, in Rajasthan.(Victoria Lautman)

Rajon Ki Baoli, Mehrauli, Delhi.(Victoria Lautman)

All across India, elaborate subterranean temples are hidden in plain site. Constructed between the 2nd century and 4th century AD, these massive and ornate stepwells were built both for spiritual bathing and as a way to access water tables during monsoon season and drought seasons. Many stepwells have been abandoned and are in disrepair since the introduction of modern waterworks, plumbing and village taps. Some have been destroyed. Because the water table is even lower in recent years, many are now dry. Victoria Lautman, a freelance journalist in Chicago, has been traveling around India documenting stepwells before more fall into dereliction are destroyed by neglect or outright demolition.

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