Sambhali Walks is an initiative of the newly launched Sambhali Development Foundation, a nonprofit company organized under Indian law for activities that can generate income. It was created alongside Sambhali Trust to enhance the organization’s sustainability and self-reliance.

The tour makes stops at several of these reservoirs, called stepwells, which are works of art in and of themselves. “There are a large series of steps that go down to the well as if it’s a stadium. But they have very intricate designs,” marveled Judy.

Women would go to the wells to retrieve water for their homes and families. While there, they would socialize and discuss the hot topics of the day. In perhaps one of the earliest examples of a focus group, the king’s men would dress as women and hang out at the wells and listen in on these conversations, providing valuable feedback to those in charge.

After visiting the wells, the group walked through the old city of Jodhpur, called Brahmapuri, famous for its bright blue houses, which originally represented the homes of the Brahmins, traditionally considered the highest caste in India. As they traveled down the slender streets, Virendra brought them to an old chai shop, run by the same family for over 120 years. Said Judy, “Such an experience. It’s a beautiful place. Narrow streets, beautiful blue walls. It was special.”

Moving on, the women came to an unusual altar on the tour. It was a small figure of a man with an opening in the groin called, The God of Fertility. “A woman wanting children makes a penis, shaped out of dough, sticks it in the altar, and prays to become pregnant with a boy child,” Kelly explained.