Chand Baori Stepwell – A Structure Worthy of the Wonder of the World (7 photos)

Many ancient structures are so grandiose and perfect that even today, using the advances of science and technology, they would be incredibly difficult to replicate. One such astonishing creation is the Chand Baori well, located in the small Indian town of Abaneri, located between Jaipur and Acre. Incredibly, this structure was hand-built between the 9th and 11th centuries and still contains water.





The Chand Baori well is a truncated, 30-meter-high step pyramid, its apex pointing downwards. The structure has 13 tiers, connected by numerous flights of stairs. The well has 3,500 steps, which served to descend to the water at varying levels.



Fantastic in its scale and engineering, the well was built by order of King Chand of the Nikumba dynasty. The monarch commissioned the construction of Chand Baori to provide water to his subjects, who frequently suffered from droughts. Amazingly, modern engineers consider the structure nearly perfect.





The steep slopes and great depth of the well help prevent moisture from evaporating during the hottest time of year, and numerous staircases provide access to life-giving moisture even at its lowest levels. It's also worth noting that Chand Baori was built with care—it was constructed using carefully crafted stone blocks from local quarries, perfectly fitted together.



Around the well, ancient craftsmen erected galleries and colonnades decorated with intricate stone carvings and figures of Hindu gods. In ancient times, people who came to Chand Baori for water from afar could rest in the cool passages of the upper part of the structure before returning with filled jugs and waterskins.



The Chand Baori well was not only a source of relief from droughts but also a sacred place for many Hindus. Pilgrims visiting the Harshat Mata temple used to perform ritual ablutions in its waters. While the well still contains water, it has long since ceased to be used for bathing, drinking, or washing. Authorities prohibit the use of Chand Baori for its intended purpose due to the risk of epidemics.



But even the most discerning villagers in the surrounding houses are unlikely to drink from the well—the water is dirty and foul-smelling. Furthermore, Chand Baori is surrounded by numerous legends and tales, including those involving the wrath of the gods descending on those who disobeyed the well's murky waters.



The only category of visitors to this unique site from whom the architectural monument must be protected are foreign extreme tourists. For these visitors, state authorities have installed a metal fence on the fifth tier of the well from the bottom.