India impresses with extremely diverse landscapes, culture, and sights. Vibrant big cities, changing landscapes from one region to another, and small towns that reflect the “real” life of India leave visitors mesmerized.
To get to know India in depth, you should also visit lesser-known places on your tour of North India.
One such place is Abhaneri. Abhaneri is an inconspicuous place with about 2000 inhabitants. It is located between the major cities of Jaipur and Agra.
However, if you take a closer look, this place will seem like a little gem, because here you will find the magnificent Chand Baori, the stepwell of Abhaneri. The unusual design allows several people to access the precious water at the same time, even if the water level is very low.
The 1200-year-old fountain is a masterpiece of architecture. At first glance, the fountain has an almost endless weave of stairs and steps that lead to the depths. At second glance, the fountain is a breathtaking monument that is worth seeing.
Chand Bawdi Stepwell
If a tour of India takes you to the state of Rajasthan, you should not forget to visit the Chand Bawdi stepwell. It is located in the town of Abhaneri, which is about a five-hour drive from Jaipur. Stepwells are an Indian invention to provide water to people: you would descend a flight of stairs until you reached the water and were free of water, independent of the height of the water level. The Chand Bawdi stepwell is not only one of the oldest of its kind in Rajasthan but also the largest stepwell in the country at 20 meters deep. It was constructed in the 8th and 9th centuries under King Chanda and dedicated to the Hindu deity Harshat Mata. Today it is a tourist attraction, and you can climb 3,500 steps. These are spread over 13 floors and are surrounded by water on three sides, with the fourth side designed as a kind of pavilion with galleries, balconies, and sculptures.
