Chand Baori

Welcome to Abhaneri, a small village in the Dausa district of Rajasthan that hides one of the most extraordinary engineering marvels of the ancient world: the Chand Baori. This is one of the oldest, largest, and deepest stepwells…

Standing at the top of the Chand Baori, the first thing you notice is the hypnotic repetition of the staircases. Unlike a modern well where you would use a bucket on a rope, a stepwell allows people to walk down directly to the…

On the northern side of the Chand Baori stands a grand, multi-storied pavilion that served as a retreat for the royalty. This part of the structure features beautiful arched windows, galleries, and balconies supported by…

Located right next to the Chand Baori is the Harshat Mata Temple, which was built during the same period, the 8th or 9th century. Harshat Mata is the 'Goddess of Happiness and Joy,' and the temple was once a magnificent center of…

Surrounding the upper perimeter of the Chand Baori is the 'Mughal Gallery,' which functions today as an open-air museum. This gallery was constructed later, using stones and sculptures that were recovered from the ruins of the…

The primary purpose of the Chand Baori was, of course, water. In the semi-arid climate of Rajasthan, where rainfall is scarce and rivers often dry up, the ability to store water was the difference between survival and disaster. …

Reaching Chand Baori is part of the adventure of exploring rural Rajasthan. The sources mention that it is located about 95 kilometers from Jaipur and is an ideal stopover for those traveling the 'Golden Triangle' route between…

As we conclude our visit to the Chand Baori in Abhaneri, we are left with a profound sense of awe for the ingenuity of the past. We have marveled at the geometric perfection of the 3,500 steps, felt the natural cooling of the…