India’s palaces, forts, temples, and tombs are on every tourist itinerary and in every guidebook. The country’s magnificent subterranean stepwells, however, remain largely unknown within and outside the country. Victoria Lautman has documented hundreds of stepwells and traces the history of these astonishing structures in her lecture. A book signing and light refreshments follow the program.

Related Exhibition: India’s Subterranean Stepwells: Photographs by Victoria Lautman
Since the 5th century, stepwells have served as water-harvesting systems that descend into the earth and enable communities to access the water table or rainwater gathered below. A selection of 48 photographs by journalist Victoria Lautman captures the diversity and sublime beauty of these architectural marvels.

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Parking available in UCLA Lot 4, 398 Westwood Plaza, directly off Sunset Blvd | $12/day.
Enter campus at Westwood Plaza and drive straight ahead toward underground Lot 4. Stay to the left and park in pay-by-plate spaces. Take the nearest elevator up to the ground floor and head toward a large staircase (the Janss Steps). At the base of the steps, turn left. The entrance ramp to the Museum is 300 feet ahead on the right.

Rideshare drop-off address is 305 Royce Drive, directly behind the Museum. Head west or to the right (under the skybridge) on an accessible sidewalk leading to the Museum’s entrance ramp.