Well Chand Baori
The Chand Baori well is a stepped structure consisting of 9 tiers and 3,500 perfectly symmetrical steps that descend to a depth of 20 meters, down to the groundwater. It is the deepest well in India. It was built in the 9th century in the town of Abaneri to extract water and provide it to the entire area.
Since it is very arid here, the well was the only salvation. Thanks to the correct calculations of the architects, the water in the reservoirs can be preserved for up to six months. There was a famous case when there was no water for several years, and the reserves in the well were the salvation. Since the water did not overheat, it was suitable for drinking.
The name of the well comes from the word "baori", which means "steps". Legend has it that the well appeared with the help of the charms of some sorcerer, who ordered the ghost to dig the well in just one night. According to another version, the well was built by the ruler of Chanda from the Nikumba dynasty.
Chand Baori has an extraordinarily beautiful square structure with terraces around the circumference. The steps are surrounded on three sides, and on the fourth there are pavilions and niches with beautiful sculptures. Sculptures of Ganesha and Durga are provided on religious themes. There are even rooms for the royal family. Since the steps had no guards, it was necessary to go down very carefully. To date, security measures have been taken and the steps have been fenced with a railing.
A magnificent temple has been erected on one wall. This gave grounds to consider this place sacred. But they were allowed to enter the temple only after ablution. All the pilgrims were cleansed right there, right in the drinking water. Due to non-compliance with hygiene rules, many suffered from infectious diseases.
In the 19th century, a law was passed prohibiting the use of water from Chand Baori. And with the invention of modern water supply systems, the Chand Baori well is no longer used for its intended purpose. Although the water level in the well has remained unchanged for thousands of years.
Today, it is a tourist attraction in India.
This architectural creation, striking for its size and shape, symmetry and precision calculations, attracts the attention of tourists, architects, and archaeologists. The place was used for filming many movies.
Tourists need to be careful, and it is better not to sink to the bottom of Chand Baori, especially when it rains seasonally, at this time the steps become very slippery.
