Chand Baori Step Well (Abhaneri)

Absolutely magnificent. The size and depth of this step well is an engineering and imagination marvel. Seeing this in person will make your jaw drop. I now understand why the “water vessel” structure in New York, USA was inspired by it. Also the many green parrots and other birds chirping around makes this place all the more awe inspiring.

This is a must-visit place to go with your family/friends.
The stepwell is said to be the oldest, deepest in India.

Another interesting point, there is an ancient Devi temple - हरसिद्धि माता मंदिर, adjacent to the step well, which is said to be built in the same year as the stepwell. The architecture of this temple is very beautiful!

To visit stepwell:
- One must buy a ticket from the ticket window
25/- per head (Indian, ticket window)
20/- per head(Indian, if you do it online)

- car parking is available (50/-)

- you have shops/eateries nearby

To visit temple:
It is free! (:

Chand Baori Stepwell was built by King Chanda of the Nikumbha Dynasty in 9th century AD.
One of the largest stepwells in the world, Chand Baori was built to conserve water and provide a respite from the intense heat.
It was a community gathering place for locals as well as royals.
#India

Architecturally very rich place.
Chand Baori is said to be named after a local ruler of Nikumbh dynasty called Raja Chanda.

Chand Baori is a deep four-sided well with a large temple located in the back of the well. The basic architectural aspects of the monumental well consist of a long corridor of steps leading to five or six stories below ground level which can be seen at the site. Chand Baori consists of 3,500 narrow steps over 13 stories. The state of Rajasthan is extremely arid, and the design and final structure of Chand Baori were intended to conserve as much water as possible.

Ancient Indian scriptures made references to construction of wells, canals, tanks and dams and their efficient operation and maintenance. This site combined many of these operations to allow for easy access to local water. At the bottom of the well, the air remains 5-6 °C cooler than at the surface, and Chand Baori was used as a community gathering place for locals during periods of intense heat. One side of the well has a haveli pavilion and resting room for the royals.

Chand Baori is considered to be one of the oldest surviving step wells in the country. On three sides, it has 3500 steps cascading 13 stories deep into a massive tank at the bottom. The fourth side has pillared corridors at many levels.  Of interest here is its exquisite diamond-setting geometry of the cascading steps on three sides and the image of Sheshasayee Vishnu reclining on the serpent Ananta. This baori or stepwell has been constructed in an upside-down pyramid-style. The classical Indian texts on architecture (Vastu) like Aparajitapriccha or Vishvakarma's Vastushastra call this design a vijay vapi. The baori has double flights of steps on each of its ten landings on all three sides. On the fourth side, to the north, is a pillared corridor of many stories. This wall at the north contains two projected offsets to house a niche in each of them. These two niches serve as shrines, the right one houses the deity Ganesha while the left one has an image of Mahishasuramardini. The Ganesha shrine is crowned with chaitya having a female dancer and her attendant carved over it. There are many other dancing figures and attendants carved around this structure. On the upper section, carvings depicting Uma-Maheshwara and Simhavahini Durga can be seen in small nimodifications, repairs, reconstructions since its construction as it was in continuous use till late medieval period.The ancient stepwell underwent many changes for both beautification and better utitlity. A pillared verandah on all four sides seems to be a later addition. There is also a small room, Anderi Ujala, which was a spot to draw water with some traditional pulley-like equipment. Legend also says that a tunnel connected Abhaneri to Dausa.

This place, located just 80kms from Jaipur, is the deepest step well in this region. It looks absolutely stunning. Sitting there and admiring the symmetry and the whole design is just hypnotising. Made the long journey from Jaipur worth it.

To know more about the history you can read up on Wikipedia or any other sources. I don't think a guide is necessary.

A few points to note about this place -

1. The guides were quoting different amounts - started with Rs 500 all the way down to Rs 200. Not aware what the official cost is but be aware else you might overpay.

2. The wheelchair was broken, and we had a disabled person with us who could not enjoy the baori. We had put in an official complaint to replace the chair.

3. There is a restaurant called Chand Baori Restaurant with a beautiful ambience and outdoor seating, and actually good food, but the prices are exorbitant (80Rs for a single small ghee roti) - avoid it unless you can afford those rates.

Very nice and peaceful, plus good food and art:
the Step Well is great to visit, very surprising geometrical structure!
Simple friendly & tasty restaurant is just behind the well (you walk forward between Well and Temple, see pictures) and also colourful handicraft produced by local women association is available at reasonable prices.
Highly recommended, hope you enjoy as we did today.

Chand Baori - Abhaneri is one of the best place to visit, It is very old and has been maintained very beautifully.
It is very beautifully made and not possible to do this in today's era.
It is very important to preserve such old heritage.

This well lookated in Chand Baori village is one of the oldest stepwells in Rajasthan. Its over 1000 years old.and is considered to be among the biggest in the world. This incredible square structure is 13 stories deep with 3,500 narrow steps arranged in perfect symmetry descends to the bottom. Well is 20 meters deep. Built during the 8th and 9th century by King Chanda of Nikumbha Dynasty is remarkable historic place. Nearby is the temple with belief if you walk around clock wise, will bring you luck and happiness. Our young guide was fantastic young fellow.

It's a very old and beautiful step well. I was there around noon so I didn't have to wait in line or something. It was my first time seeing a step well and I immediately liked it a lot.

My visit to this historical site was truly amazing. I had a lot of fun exploring the grounds and admiring the beautiful architecture of the temple. However, I was disappointed to find that it is currently closed to the public. I hope they reopen soon so others can experience its splendor.

We were on a spree of seeing India's stepwells after having seen Rani ka vav, modhera and adalaj in Gujarat. In many articles we read about Chand Baori being ranked at the top atleast in terms of size if not overall detailing and so we put it in our itinerary on a trip to Ajmer. It certainly didn't disappoint. While the detailing on some of the other stepwells of India may be more intricate, this one takes the cake for sheer scale and grandeur. The detailing also would have been grander at one point it's just eroded now. Must visit for anyone interested in medival India's architectural marvels. Entry is ticketed. There are two parking spaces nearby. One is before the temple that's adjacent to the stepwell complex.

One of the largest step wells in the world, the Chand Baori Step Well is located in the village of Abhaneri in the Indian state of Rajasthan. It was built by King Chanda of the Nikumbha Dynasty in 9th century AD. Impressive and intricately designed, it has a depth of 30m into the ground. Amazing attraction, definitely worth a visit

Absolutely stunning – that's how I would describe the Chand Baori Step Well. Nestled in an unassuming location, this hidden treasure is a visual marvel, showcasing architectural excellence at its finest. What seems at first like a journey to a nondescript place unfolds into an extraordinary display of beauty and history. The step well's intricate design and profound historical significance are awe-inspiring, far exceeding my initial expectations. Currently undergoing restoration, the Chand Baori Step Well is being carefully preserved, adding to its unique charm and fascination. Witnessing the dedication to maintaining such a vital cultural and historical monument heightens my anticipation. The ongoing restoration work is set to further highlight its splendor, making it an essential visit for those who cherish the blend of history, architecture, and art. I eagerly await the completion of this restoration, confident it will further elevate the allure of this exceptional site. For anyone planning a visit, be prepared to be captivated by the serene and mesmerizing atmosphere of the Chand Baori Step Well.

Super cool! Our tour company did not provide a guide for this, but luckily there was a nice local young man that was willing and able to provide the service for just 200 rupees per person (a SUPER reasonable fee). He also took us to the temple across the way (cost included in the ticket for the well).

Amazing photography place but not allowed to go inside the step well bcz of some incident happened with travellers but must visit place once

Chand Baori located in Abhaneri villages is beautiful and one of India's largest stepwell. Build during the 8th-9th Century this historical architecture wonder is worth visiting.
More 100 feet deep and have a full palace building on top which is the summer place of the kind Chanda who is the build it.
There is Harshat Mata temple in the same complex built at the same time but ruined by invaders in later century. Temple is need lots of restoration I hope ASI will do something to it.

Entry ticket is 50 rupees and there are official tourism department guides available at ₹400/-

It takes around 45-50 min so it's quick stop in Agra Jaipur highway.

It’s a little ways off the road maybe 30 min to 1.5 hour side trip depending on how long you stop. 300rp for foreigners (25rp for locals) totally worth it. Absolutely stunning site.

Stepwells, also known as bawdis or baoris, are a unique architectural feature of India, particularly in the arid regions of Rajasthan. These structures served as a source of water for drinking, irrigation, and religious purposes. They were also designed to conserve water and provide a cool refuge from the scorching heat of the desert.

Chand Baori is one of the most famous stepwells in India. It is located in the village of Abhaneri, about 90 kilometers from Jaipur. The stepwell was built by King Chanda of the Nikhumba dynasty in the 8th century AD. It is one of the deepest and largest stepwells in India, measuring approximately 30 meters (100 feet) deep and 13 meters (43 feet) wide.

Chand Baori is a marvel of engineering. It consists of 3,500 steps arranged in geometric patterns that descend to the water at the bottom. The steps are flanked by walls that are decorated with niches, carvings, and sculptures. The well's intricate design, coupled with its symmetrical layout, creates a mesmerizing visual effect.

In addition to its practical function as a water source, Chand Baori also served as a religious and social gathering place. People would come to the stepwell to bathe, pray, and socialize. The cool and shaded environment of the well provided a welcome respite from the harsh desert conditions.

Today, Chand Baori is a popular tourist destination. Visitors can descend the steps to the water at the bottom, or they can admire the well from the top. The stepwell is a stunning example of Indian architecture and engineering, and it offers a glimpse into the lives of people who lived in Rajasthan centuries ago.

Here are some additional details about Chand Baori:

The stepwell is believed to have been built to store rainwater during the monsoon season.
The well was also used to collect water from the surrounding hills.
Chand Baori was once surrounded by a large palace complex, which is now in ruins.
The stepwell has been featured in several films, including "The Dark Knight Rises" and "Bhool Bhulaiyaa".
Chand Baori is a must-see for anyone visiting Rajasthan. It is a beautiful and unique example of Indian heritage, and it offers a fascinating insight into the lives of people who lived in the region centuries ago.

Incredible the depth of this well and the architecture around it.
We loved it.

One of the most incredible things I've ever seen, this rivals any ruins in Egypt or Turkey. Absolutely fabulous! Never seen anything like it.