Abhaneri Stepwell in Rajasthan Demonstrates the Technological Prowess of Medieval India
What is It: - We have seen many palaces, forts, and museums during our trips to India, so on our last trip we decided to look for some unusual places to explore. Our guide in Rajasthan suggested making a stop on the road from Jaipur to Delhi at a remote village called Abhaneri. The crown jewel of this town is one of the world’s oldest and largest stepwells known as the Chand Baori. A stepwell is a deep well or pond in which water can be reached by descending a set of steps. This one was built in the ninth century by King Chanda and dedicated to the Goddess of Joy and Happiness.
The stepwell at Abhaneri is a majestic square structure that has a large pavilion on one side, an open courtyard with galleries around the top, and a series of steps descending into the earth on the other three sides. What makes Abhaneri so unusual is that it is about thirteen stories deep with 3500 steps laid out in a geometric pattern. The upper pavilions of the structure served as kind of a village market for residents and a place where merchants and caravans would stop to sell their wares and seek supplies when traveling through the region. There were also areas reserved for the use and relaxation of the royal family.
Visitors are no longer allowed to descend into the well for safety reasons. In addition, the water collecting in the bottom of the stepwell is not potable presently. Nevertheless, walking around the complex to take pictures and learn about history of the structure is an enjoyable and unique experience. There are no admissions charges to view the stepwell, and restrooms and light refreshments are available at the site. However, there are no modern hotels or lodges in the immediate vicinity so visitors should plan accordingly.
Interesting Facts: Water resources are a major problem in India today and will become increasingly important over the next few decades with the country’s population expected to rise to 1.5 billion people by 2035. One wonders if the hundreds of abandoned stepwells that once supplied water to millions of people in Rajasthan and other dry areas of the country could help provide a 21st-century solution to a centuries old challenge. The World Bank is working with the government of Rajasthan to explore the restoration of several stepwells including Chand Baori.
How to Get Here: The Chand Baori stepwell is located about two hours from Jaipur and about three hours from Agra. The best way to reach it is to take local Route 25 north from the Route 21 highway that connects the two cities.
When to Go: The weather in the Abhaneri area is hot and dry most of the time. By March, the high daily temperature rises to 90 degrees or above and these sweltering conditions continue into October. During June, July and August, precipitation is more frequent which only adds to the humidity. In the wintertime, there are more comfortable conditions with temperatures reaching 70 degrees most days. A morning visit is highly recommended as the best way to enjoy the landmark.