Rajasthan is full of mysterious and extraordinary places, and Abhaneri’s Chand Baori is one of them.

I first visited Chand Baori back in July last year, as this was the first stepwell I visited and after this, I could not stop myself to explore and visit more stepwells like this.

And after 18 months, and visiting more than two dozen stepwells in Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Karnataka, I’m back at Chand Baori, to get more pictures and refresh my memories.

In India, the concept of stepwells or baori, bawdi, vav and many other names given to these water reservoir is ancient. As per my understating the first stepwell type structure was built in Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro, dating 2500 BCE.

And Chand Baori, is just 1200 years old. So, in my eyes, Chand Baori is still a young stepwell, and we will see that in the near future we all will feel the scarcity of water, Chand Baori & many other stepwells like these will come to our aid.

Small history of Chand Baori

Chand Baori Abhaneri

1. Chand Baori (2018)

Chand Baori of Abhaneri was built by Nikumbha Rajput rulers of Chahamana dynasty who ruled Abhaneri or as they said Abha Nagri during 8-9th century AD and though there is a temple next to the Baori, there is no way hell that this step well was a sacred spot.

Harshat Mata Temple

There are two attractions here, one is the Baori and 2nd an ancient temple of Harshat Mata, which is now dedicated to Durga as this temple was destroyed during Mahmud Ghazni invasion of India.

Nevertheless, the temple has some great ancient artefacts for all travelers, and I was able to get these pictures for you and me. Have a look:

Note: The below images of Harshat Mata Temple is from my 1st tour of Chand Baori, last year.

Harshat Mata Temple artifacts

Harshat Mata Temple artifacts

Harshat Mata Temple

Harshat Mata Temple

Harshat Mata Temple artifacts

Harshat Mata Temple artifacts

 Harshat Mata Temple artifacts

Harshat Mata Temple artifacts

Back to Chand Baori, Abhaneri

And just 20 meters from Harshat Mata Temple, you will find the entry gate of Chand Baori Stepwell, with a sign board from ASI (Archaeological Survey of India) claiming this step well as a national heritage and in every way it is remarkable.

Chand Baori Entrance

2. Chand Baori Entrance (2018)

The entrance of this stepwell will bring you to the pavilion or room type structure, where today you will find some guards standing.

But a few centuries ago, priests, & members of royal families use to come here either to attend some festival or as we say, just to chill out, as the temperature in Chand Baori is 5-degree cooler.

But mostly Chand Baori was a place for the local villagers to get water for daily household work and for passing travelers to rest. As stepwells in India are mostly built for this purpose.

My experience of this and previous visit at Chand Baori

Last time, when I was here, it was just me, and two guards. And they did stop me from entering the stepwell, as it isn’t allowed just to climb the stairs of the well. Nevertheless, I did convince them and had a walk inside.

But this time, there were like 70-80 travelers, (mostly foreigners) so, there was no chance to enter the well this time. Never the less, I did grab some more pictures which I have shared below.

Chand Baori

3. Chand Baori Pavilion View

Chand Baori

4. Chand Baori Pavilion View

Chand Baori

5. Chand Baori Pavilion View

Chand Baori

6. Chand Baori Pavilion View

Chand Baori

7. Chand Baori Stairs 

Chand Baori

8. Chand Baori

Chand Baori

9. Chand Baori Pavilion Rooms

Chand Baori

10. Chand Baori Stairs

Chand Baori

11. Chand Baori View from Top

And the below pictures are from my last year trip, where I was allowed to enter Pavilion Rooms of Chand Baori Stepwell.

Way inside Baori

Way inside Baori

Complex inside Baori

Complex inside Baori

View from step wells below

View from step wells below

Amazing structure

Amazing structure

 

A few more points to suggest

You will also notice some 8th century statues at Chand Baori complex which belongs to Harshat Mata Temple. It’s being kept here to preserve them as they were destroyed at a wicked time of Indian history.

Artefacts of Harshat Mata Temple st Chand Baori

Artefacts of Harshat Mata Temple st Chand Baori

How to reach Chand Baori?

Way towards Chand Baori via Jaipur Agra Highway

Way towards Chand Baori via Jaipur Agra Highway

I hired a cab from Rajputana Cabs, Jaipur and it took one and a half hour to reach. We choose the route from Sisodia Rani Garden, which is Jaipur Agra Road. There will be a total of 5 toll points till Chand baori, and four of them are payable. So do set aside INR 400 for a return trip to Jaipur.

It took 6 hours for a return trip, like 3-4 hour driving and an hour and a half at the Abhaneri. Plus the Abhaneri village is quite clean, so I trying local food or sweets would be suggestible.

And… on our way back to Jaipur, we went to a destination which I believe hasn’t been on the web.

Hint – its sand dunes of Jaipur. Yep, 60-80 meter tall sand dunes, just 45 km away from Jaipur. Wait for the next post in a week to see actual proof.

Movies in which Chand Baori is featured

I first saw Chand Baori in 2006 Hollywood movies The Fall. Later Chand Baori was also featured in films like 2008 The Dark Knight Rises, 2011 The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and 2007 Bollywood film Bhool Bhulaiyaa]