Chand Baori Abhaneri
The Chand Baori is a stepwell built over a thousand years ago in the Abhaneri village of Rajasthan.
It is one of the largest stepwells in the world and also one of the most beautiful ones.
Located in the eastern part of the province of Rajasthan, it was built by King Chanda somewhere in the 9th century.
The Chand Baori is not an easy landmark to find, thus it is one of the hidden secrets of India
Stepwells, also called bawdi or baori, are unique to this nation. The wells have steps built into the sides that lead down to the water.
Chand Baori one was built during the 8th and 9th centuries and has 3,500 narrow steps arranged in perfect symmetry, which descend 20m to the bottom of the well.
Centuries ago, the stepwells were built in the arid zones of Rajasthan to provide water all year through.Today, the construction is not used as a well anymore but its exquisite geometry attracts local and international visitors alike.About 64 feet deep, it is India's largest and deepest stepwells with 13 floors and was built in the 9th century for water harvesting.hand Baori inside viewIt was so named as it was built by King Chand Raja from the Gujara Pratihara clan, who claim to be the descendant of Lord Ram's younger brother Laxman.
The Pratihara dynasty was at their peak during 6th-10th century AD, and also ruled over other parts of Rajasthan. Their capital was Mandore near Jodhpur.The baori has a precise geometrical pattern, hard to find in this age.
The steps form a magical maze and the consequent play of light and shadow on the structure gives it a captivating look.It has an enclosed rectangular courtyard kind of structure. Upon entering you reach a jharokha (windows).
Descending the stairs on the left, you can see the cavernous baori narrowing towards the bottom, criss-crossed with double flights of steps on three sides to reach the water surface down below.
The stairs encircle the water on the three sides while the fourth side boasts of a pavillion with three storeys with beautiful carved jharokhas, galleries supported on pillars and two projecting balconies enshrining beautiful sculptures.
Harshat Mata Temple
the Chand Baori is not the only attraction in Abhaneri.
Adjoining the baori is the architecturally splendid and sculpturally beautiful Harshat Mata temple which was built between the 7th-8th centuries, but was destroyed and damaged by Mahmud Ghazni.
Many of its pillars, columns, statues now lie scattered in the temple courtyard and in the corridors of the structure. The temple was dedicated to Harshat Mata, believed to be the goddess of happiness and joy, who spread her glow and brightness (abha) around the town.
That is why the small village was called the Abhanagri (city of brightness), which over the centuries has become Abhaneri.
The scene from the temple courtyard is picturesque with green fields, narrow village roads, tiny houses and the sun playing hide and seek on the landscape.
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