{"id":512,"date":"2016-08-28T13:05:05","date_gmt":"2016-08-28T07:35:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jatinchhabra.com\/?p=512"},"modified":"2017-08-18T13:43:19","modified_gmt":"2017-08-18T08:13:19","slug":"raniji-ki-baori-in-bundi","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jatinchhabra.com\/raniji-ki-baori-in-bundi\/","title":{"rendered":"The Queen’s Stepwell of Bundi – Raniji ki Baori"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Queen’s Stepwell\u00a0or in local language “Raniji ki Baori” was\u00a0the second\u00a0attraction I toured\u00a0in Bundi after\u00a0Chaurasi Khambon ki Chhatri<\/a> or 84 Pillared Cenotaph<\/a>. Why? Its just 2 km away.<\/p>\n

The main reason I planned to visit Bundi was to visit this stepwell, as I am collecting pictures of all stepwells in India (read the about us page<\/a> for why). So this was a crucial site for me and believe me it was worth visiting.<\/p>\n

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Raniji ki Baori is a 17th century marvel build on the orders of Queen Nathavati, wife of a famous King of Bundi, Anirudh Singh. And this is where the stepwell got its name “Raniji ki Baori”.<\/p>\n

Raniji ki Baori Structure<\/h2>\n

Raniji ki Baori is a three storey stepwell and has two fantastic well-arched gates with great artwork done on the pillars and statues of Elephants made up of white marble (not too white) on the top of all columns. The last (3rd) gate of the stepwell is a beautiful one as it has the sculptures of elephants on all corner and it’s a delight to watch.<\/p>\n

The entrance of the baori is on the 2nd floor, as the local authority has closed the entry from the 1st (or ground floor). Might be to stop pigeons entering the stepwell as they have made of mess of almost every stepwell of India. I saw that\u00a0at\u00a0Chand Baori<\/a> in Abhaneri, the rooms were stinking of pigeon shit. At Bundi, they (local authority) have completely covered the baori with an iron sheet, (more like a transparent one) which is a smart move to keep the site clean.<\/p>\n

So when I entered the stepwell from the 2nd floor, this is the view which I got:<\/p>\n

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\"2nd

2nd floor gate of Raniji ki Baori<\/p><\/div>\n

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\"Statues

Statues of elephants on the pillars<\/p><\/div>\n

I noted that on both walls of the stepwell, there is temple type wall crafted statues of Hindu gods. Which indicates that either this baori was a temple where locals use to come for praying, or it was only for the royal family as the statues of gods aren’t that big to plan a big religious ceremony.<\/p>\n

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\"Temple

Temple type structure at Raniji ki baori<\/p><\/div>\n

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\"Wall

Wall crafted Temples at Raniji ki baori<\/p><\/div>\n

Next, I moved to the 3rd floor which has this beautiful arch gate and such an amazing artwork\u00a0on it, that even Taj Mahal seem second to it. If you are a lover of Indian architecture, then Bundi is a heaven for you because of sites like Raniji ki baori and Garh Palace<\/a>. Have a look at the pictures of the 3rd floor.<\/p>\n

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\"Raniji

Raniji ki Baori top view<\/p><\/div>\n

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\"Raniji

Raniji ki Baori bottom view<\/p><\/div>\n

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\"Raniji

Raniji ki Baori 3rd floor Gate<\/p><\/div>\n

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\"Back

Back wall of Raniji ki Baori<\/p><\/div>\n

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\"Raniji

Raniji ki Baori elephant statue<\/p><\/div>\n

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\"Artwork

Artwork on Pillar<\/p><\/div>\n

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\"Craftsmanship

Craftsmanship at Raniji ki Baori<\/p><\/div>\n

And with this, I have seen two beautiful tourist attractions of Bundi. One being this and anther one is\u00a0Chaurasi Khambon ki Chhatri<\/a> or 84 Pillared Cenotaph<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Quick facts about Raniji ki Baori<\/h2>\n