History, Importance, Architecture, Timings, , Architecture, Interesting Facts and Travel Guide of Chand Baori Stepwell, Abhaneri, Jaipur, Rajasthan, India
India’s diversity can be seen everywhere – from religions and cultures to monuments and their architecture. The architectural styles happen to be distinct, at times within the same region too. The abundance in the variety of monuments and buildings that existed for hundreds of years to serve special purposes has made the heritage of our country rich and valuable.
One of the most riveting destinations, exemplifying the richness of architecture in Rajasthan is the Chand Baori Stepwell in Abhaneri. Though predicted to be the oldest and deepest stepwell in the world, it is definitely the most intractably carved out and built.
The stepwell, Chand Baori is said to be named after a local ruler called Raja Chanda, who commissioned it. However, no epigraphic evidence has been found regarding the construction of the stepwell or the adjoining Harshat Mata Temple.
The Baoli is dated to be constructed in the later stages of anci`ent India, during the eighth and ninth centuries. This conclusion is based on observing the similarities in style and carvings of the structure with the terraced temples of Paranagar and Mandore. The Chand Baori Stepwell is likely to have been constructed before the establishment of the adjacent temple.
The ancient parts of the step-well have dated atleast from the eighth century that proves its continuity since then. There is an upper palace building which was added to the place to be viewed from the tabulated arches by Chauhan rulers. Today, the access to these rooms is blocked for tourists.
The Mughals were also responsible to add art galleries in the structure while retaining a huge wall around the well. The Harshat Mata Temple stands nearby as a pilgrimage site and it formed a huge complex together with the well. Chand Baori served multiple purposes from drawing water to religious and ceremonial activities.
Ancient India was a place where water was worshipped because it gives life. Step-wells were therefore uniquely built to harvest and make use of rainwater during the rainy season, especially through the successive dry and arid seasons that facilitated the people during water shortage.
Stepwells were not just water storage tanks of an area but were amazingly intricate achievements of architecture, engineering, and art. Ancient baolis or step wells were the greatest public monuments, accessible to everyone regardless of their gender, colour, caste, and religion. Constructing a stepwell was a favoured philanthropic activity of royal families then.
Nikumbha dynasty's King Chanda is believed to build the stepwell during the eigth and ninth centuries. This was done to resolve the problems of water shortage in the parched land of Abhaneri, and thus the stepwell came to named after him. The stepwell's use was not only restricted as a storage tank as it served as a place of purity where the devotees could wash their hands and feet before entering the Harshat Mata temple adjacent to it.
Architecture of Chand Baori Stepwell Abhaneri, Jaipur, Rajasthan
The basic architectural aspects of the monumental well consist of a long corridor of steps leading to five or six stories below ground level.
Chand Baoli has 3,500 narrow steps over thirteen stories, which extends approximately 30 metres into the ground, making it one of the deepest and largest stepwells of the country. As of now, the corridors are full of excavated artefacts and stone sculptures of all kinds.
Mesmerizing Chand Baori Steps
On three sides of the deep step well are geometric steps. These triangular steps are steep, which ensure that a person gets down or up through sideways and not straight for safety. Other than the aesthetic purpose, there was a practical purpose as well for these steps as going sideways is a little safer and also allows multiple people to sit close to the water.
The fourth side has pillared corridors at multiple levels, from which two balconies project towards the stepwell. They are adorned with the idols of Mahisasurmardini and Lord Ganesha.
An annual three – day Abhaneri festival happens at the beginning of Sharad Navratras, which falls 10 days before Dussehra each year. The step well witnesses a kind of diving competition among the young men in the village. The place gets a lot of tourists during the festival and is one of those places in India that attracts more foreign visitors than Indians due to its splendid architecture.
A solitary temple with a dome roof, dedicated to Harshat Mata stands next to the stepwell. It was built by the same king at the same time.
How to Reach Chand Baori Stepwell, Abhaneri, near Jaipur Pink City and Capital of Rajasthan, India
Chand Baori Stepwell Abhaneri is located at around 90 km from Jaipur so you can reach easily via public and private transport. As Jaipur is the capital and largest city of colorful state Rajasthan, the major tourist destination, so very well connected with Road, Air and Rail network. You can get the flight to Jaipur from the Delhi, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Aurangabad, Bombay, Varanasi, Calcutta and Ahmedabad. Jaipur is connected by rail with Delhi, Agra, Ahmedabad, Ajmer, Abu Road (Mount Abu), Udaipur, Bombay and Sawai Madhopur. By road, Jaipur is 272 km from Delhi, 238 km from Agra, 334 km from Bikaner, 395 km from Udaipur, 135 km from Ajmer, 351 km from Jodhpur, 185 km from Bharatpur, 557 km from Jaisalmer. Also public and private buses and cab are regularly from Jaipur to the all the major cities as above along with Alwar, Kota, Sariska, Mathura, Indore, Chittorgarh and Barmer etc.
