The well, known as ‘Safiya Baori’, was dug up and its stairs were built by a Muslim contractor, Faqir Khan Zain Khan, in 1921
Team Clarion
PUNE — A century-old well has unexpectedly re-emerged in Manchar village, in the Ambegaon taluka of Pune district, causing a stir among locals and halting the construction of a temple. Despite repeated efforts to fill the well, built in 1921, the baori (stepwell) refuses to disappear, leaving the community baffled.
The well, known as ‘Safiya Baori’, is located near the post office on Ghode Gaon Road. It was dug up and its stairs were built by a Muslim contractor, Faqir Khan Zain Khan. It remains an architectural relic with inscriptions in Urdu and Marathi marking its history. Over the years, it fell into neglect, accumulating waste and debris.
Locals, deeming it unusable, decided to demolish the baori and replace it with a Sai Baba temple. A businessman, Pandurang Sukharam Borde, took the initiative and began construction over the well, covering it with cement and plaster. However, just as the temple neared completion, the foundation gave way, and the baori reappeared with water rising again.
A villager, speaking on condition of anonymity, said, “The baori was buried, and we thought it was gone. But now, despite dumping 50 to 60 trolley loads of material, the water keeps coming back. It’s astonishing!”
As news of the phenomenon spread, people from neighbouring villages flocked to witness it. “It’s as if the baori refuses to be erased,” remarked another resident.
While some believe this to be an act of nature reclaiming its space, others see it as a sign to preserve historical structures rather than replace them. Conservationists argue that, instead of attempting to bury it, the baori should be cleaned and its water utilised for the village’s benefit.
The incident raises concerns about the erasure of heritage sites and the need for sustainable development. As the villagers continue to suppress the well, the baori stands resiliently, silently reminding them of its century-old presence.
