The Moosi Rani Sagar, an ancient stepwell, is located in the foothills of the Aravalli in the city of Alwar, Rajasthan. The Sagar has stood strong against the test of times and has been a major factor in providing water to the city. The double-storied marble-sandstone memorial is known as the Moosi Rani ki Chhatri and was built in 1815 by Raja Vinay Singh in memory of Maharaja Bakhtawar Singh and his queen Rani Moosi. Together with the City Palace, this site is of high historical significance.

The stepwell is part of a larger water system, which ranges from a primary collection center up in the Aravallis, the Kishen Kund, to a sedimentation tank in the bottom, the Haathi Kund, and a canal with recharge wells linking the both of them, before finally reaching the Sagar.

Over the years, the Sagar and the larger water system began to gradually deteriorate as no maintenance was carried out to ensure its proper functioning. Solid waste, eutrophication owing to the presence of contaminated water soon found their way into the ancient stepwell, with several of its structures damaged. The Kishen Kund, the Haathi Kund, and the linking channel faced a similar fate with excess siltation deposits, and invasive weeds that had grown rampant in the past few years.

A meticulous restoration was carried out as part of a larger collaborative effort between the Ashok Leyland, Hinduja Foundation under the Jal Jeevan initiative, and the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation and the Environmentalist Foundation of India to revive the Sagar back to its natural glory.

On the 22nd of March 2022, to commemorate World Water Day, the Moosi Rani Sagar with all its new features was unveiled to the public. Here’s a glimpse of all that had happened during this inauguration!

The Restored and Revamped Sagar

Night Life at the Sagar

We wholeheartedly thank our partners, volunteers, and local residents who strengthened our efforts in restoring the Moosi Rani Sagar.

Volunteer for India and her Environment with E.F.I