Welcome to the world of A Date With The Past
Watch out your step when standing in front of this gigantic staircase with endless steps and architectural symmetry that is both mindboggling and hard to believe.
What comes to your mind when you talk about visiting historical destinations?
Forts. Palaces. Temples. Tombs. Why not think about the glorious ancient stepwell? Ever heard of them? Stepwells simply mean “wells with stairs.” Let me introduce you to the deepest step well in the world, Chand Baori (literally translated as ‘Moon Well’). A few kilometers drive from Jaipur, Rajasthan. Writing of stories, Rajasthan is more of a treasure trove and might just be the richest of all Indian states. Its history is so deeply rooted that you will often find different interpretations of the same, and you might as well choose the one that you develop a liking for.
Chand Baori is an unmistakable charm that will keep you pulling you closer, assuring you that you are at the right place. Once you enter the structure, you will witness the beauty of this place. It is almost as if you have travelled to a new realm. The accuracy in numbers and imbricate is a typical instance of the prowess of Indian artisans of those times. The intricate steps that go deep down to the well, look mystical and magical, that is when you will know that you are at the Chand Baori, Abhaneri.
The step wells generally referred to as baoli or baori or bawdi in Hindi, were built in the ancient ties in a unique way to harvest rainwater during the rainy season, conserve it through successive dry and arid seasons to facilitate people during the water shortage. Named after King Chanda of the Nikumbha dynasty, some say that Chand Baori was built by him between 800 and 900 centuries to counter the problem of water shortage in the arid land of Abhaneri. This square-shaped stepwell is surrounded by geometric steps on three sides and a fort on the fourth side with successive rooms, corridors with exquisitely carved images, a stage for performances, and balconies. The corridors around the stepwell house many excavated stone sculptures and carved pillars, some in ruins and some wonderfully preserved. Records hail Chand Baori as one of the oldest and largest stepwells in the world, but there is more to it. Stories that do not find a mention in any record books, for the stepwell has quite some reputation as a haunted site as well. Folk tales have it that this massive stepwell, imagine a structure with 3500 steps and 13 stories, was built in just one night! Now, since that is quite an impossible feat for even a superhuman, locals believe the structure to be the handiwork of a djinn. There are different versions of a story but all of them prove the place to be haunted. Natives enjoy narrating stories to travelers and tourists. An unusual and strange atmosphere with the hostile and echoing sound of pigeons, creepy air, hovering bats, and honey bees buzzing all around the place makes one give credence to its hauntedness.
It certainly is a visual delight! It’s known to be the deepest step well in the world. It’s the finest example of human brilliance and endurance. The meticulousness of design is bound to leave you scatterbrained. As soon as you enter, a ming-boggling brilliant maze welcomes you!!! Sparsely visited majestic Chand Baori looks glorious in all its forlornness.
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