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Chand Baori - The Deepest Step Well in the World

by: Trushti

Abhaneri, Jaipur, is a small village in Rajasthan. Abhaneri is famous for the deepest step well in world. The well is located opposite to a temple known as Harshat Mata temple. It is believed that the Chand Baori step well has some religious connection and that’s the reason to build it in front of the temple. The step well is a square construction measuring 35 mtr on each side. 3 out of the four side hve steps that lead down to the bottom of the well. These steps were used to draw water from the well.

The step well was constructed back in 9th Century. The well is 13-storey building, which is about 100 feet deep and has a total of 3500 steps. The dried weather and climate of the area forced the people to dig deep so that they get a dependable water source. Probably, the one, that could last for long (approximately a year).

Image credit: http://www.odditycentral.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/chand_baori2.jpg

The steps and the whole surrounding is a fine example of architectural expertise of the great Indian architectures. It also displays the geometrical intelligence of the architects of the bygone era.

The small village of Abhaneri is located at 95 kms away from Jaipur, one of the major cities of Rajasthan, on Jaipur-Agra Highway. The Abhaneri village was establish by The King of that time Raja Chand and the place was called Abha Nagri (City of Brightness).

Image credit: http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_iTGXYFIkfkA/SLe9GxsfdTI/AAAAAAAAJug/g-iCjdjRDVk/s400/Chand_Baori014.jpg

But, with time Abha Nagri became AbhaNeri because of the mispronunciations. Today Abhaneri is a tourist place famous for its baoris (step wells). These wells were constructed to harvest rain water and use it for later purposes.

Image credit: http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_iTGXYFIkfkA/SLe9G2eL1mI/AAAAAAAAJuY/zxJ2Q2IeeSQ/s400/Chand_Baori013.jpg

The concept of step well actually originated in India. These wells acted as the reservoirs or the storage tanks that can store large amount of water and keep it cool as well. Adjoining the Chand Baori step well, there is a temple, dedicated to Harshat Mata.

Image credit: http://images.google.com/url?source=imgres&ct=img&q=http://ramrag2001.googlepages.com/chand_baori4.jpg&usg=AFQjCNHIQML5-_bkbWi3IIIsxMhZrsgwuw

This temple serves as the other tourist attraction of Abhaneri. Raised during the 10th century, the wrecks of the temple still boast of the architectural and sculptural styles of ancient India.

Image credit: http://www.wackyarchives.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/011_kolodec.jpg

Harshat Mata is the goddess of joy and happiness. As per the beliefs, the goddess is always cheerful, who imparts her joy and happiness to the whole village.

Image credit: http://www.wackyarchives.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/016_kolodec.jpg

The temple is worth visiting for its amazing architecture and that too, which belongs to the medieval India. Abhaneri has a glorious past and this hoary magnetism of the place, attracts tourists to its threshold, from all over the world.

Image credit: http://www.wackyarchives.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/08/008_kolodec.jpg