Chand Baori in Abhaneri, Rajasthan is one of the oldest Baori in India, built by King Chanda of Nikumbh dynasty who ruled Abhaneri during 8th-9th century AD. The Baori cum Mahal served as the summer reseidence of the Rajas. The water from teh baori helped keep the temperature inside and around pleasant.
The open platform right in the middle was where the dancers/courtesans performed, while the musicians sat on the slightly elevated spaces on the either side. The Raja and the other dignitaries sat right above facing the performers. There were separate viewing enclosures for the ladies.
There were 3 secret passage ways inside the Mahal leading to three different safe locations. Times were tough and frequent conflicts and invasions made such arrangements necessary.
The open space right in the middle was where the dancers/courtesans performed, while the musicians sat on the slightly elevated spaces on the either side. The Raja and the other dignitaries sat right above facing the performers. There were separate viewing enclosures on both the sides for the ladies.
The steps were so designed that the families could sit on the steps and enjoy the performances. This might look scary from here, But I went all the way down, and found it all very spacious and well planned.
The baori is said to be around 18-20 feet deep.
There’s nothing an extra bit of politeness cannot achieve. The caretakers allowed me to go further down till around the water well. What an experience, to go down there and hear the echoes of my foot steps, the see random bats flying across and feel the stillness of the stagnant water.
Part of the wreck from the Harshat Mata temple adjacent to the baoli. The artifacts from the temple were times and again hidden inside the baoli complex to protect them from the marauding invaders. More on the temple in the next post. 🙂
