Pairyachi Vihirs of Vidarbha

The bahuli vihirs or pairyachi vihirs of central india to be more specific vidarbha are beautiful examples of the structures marking the land-water interface acting as transition spaces with transendental characteristics.

These have a lot from aesthetic and functional point of view being a cool retreat, wells for irrigation and domestic purposes, housing a shrine or being by the side of a highway or road. 

 The main entrance with smaller sub entries to the aisles or passages at both the sides connects the resting platforms or pavilions.

 Some more arch constructions for passages in the bahuli vihir. This vihir is one storied and in vidarbha we have maximum of three to four storied pairyachi vihirs as against in Gujarat and Rajasthan where they are as much as 13 storeys deep. 

 The human sculptures acting as guards of the vihir along with the large leaf forms, and decorated arches are carved on dressed sanstone with lime mortar.

 The passages on both the sides of the steps with the water have arches and niches for may be lamps to be kept at night when being used by caravans as haulting places on travel routes.

 The pairya[meaning steps in marathi] leading to the water level, which is one part of the structure.

 The other part has the octagonal well with features of blind lattice work, sculptures and arches in sandstone.

The carved brackets have the floral, fruit and leaf forms. 

These structures of the past are now losing importance and lying in remorse due to the lack of awareness among the people and a respect for the old. The photographs above show the condition of the bahuli vihir at hariweda village near Nagpur city, lying in utter neglect and calling for its conservation and proper upkeep.