Folklore of Wells: Being a Study of Water-Worship in East and West

This work opens a quiet window onto the universal fascination humans have with water, tracing the rituals, legends and everyday customs that surround wells, rivers, seas and springs. Drawing from the author’s own experiences as a municipal official in Bombay, it weaves together vivid accounts—from lamps floating on the Kartik Bath to the solemn offerings at the Gunbow Well—illustrated with striking images of coastal Parsi ceremonies and ancient Indian rites. The narrative moves beyond isolated folklore, revealing striking parallels between Indian practices and those once common in Europe, suggesting a shared ancestry in early nature‑worship.

The author’s careful classification of each tradition invites listeners to see how communities across continents have shaped their lives around the life‑giving element of water. By linking myth, ritual and the practical realities of settlement, the book offers a richly textured portrait of how wells and waterways have guided belief, identity and daily routine for countless generations. It is both a scholarly guide and a gentle meditation on humanity’s enduring bond with the fluid world.