Can You Believe the Size of This Hole in the Ground? Chand Baori, India
In the romantic Indian state of Rajasthan, in the dusty village of Abhaneri, there lies a massive hole in the ground. To be specific, this hole is called Chand Baori, and is one of the largest ancient step-wells in the world, plummeting down 100 feet to slurp water from the earth for the thirsty local population.
The well is around 1,200 years old (wowza!), constructed in 800 C.E. by King Chandra of the Nikumbha Dynasty. Like many historic structures in India, it is also a temple! In fact, the whole well is dedicated to Hashat Mata, the Goddess of Happiness and Joy. Indeed, water is a joyful thing!
One wonderful aspect of India is that its ancient areas are often still in use today. Sure enough, when our India teacher tour walked up to the temple-well, religious activities were in full swing at the temple. The local people smeared bright orange paint on our guide's forehead, and we all got blazing gold-colored marigold flowers!
Check out these photos and be in awe. Where else in the world would such a phenomenal, ancient construction be a mere side trip on a day packed with other sights? India is a wonder!
So what do you think... Is Chand Baori a place you would like to visit? Want to race each other down all those steps to the bottom??
The author, Lillie Marshall, is a 6-foot-tall National Board Certified Teacher of English, fitness fan, and mother of two who has been a public school educator since 2003. She launched Around the World “L” Travel and Life Blog in 2009, and over 4.2 million readers have now visited this site. Lillie also runs TeachingTraveling.com and DrawingsOf.com. Subscribe to her monthly newsletter, and follow @WorldLillie on social media!
This place I would love to go and visit. I like how you spiced some things up to make it even more interesting.
Thanks, Kaitlyn!
Wow! That is the biggest well I have ever seen! I have one question, are people aloud to go down the stairs? If so do they have to pay or is it free.
What did the marigolds symbolize? Is it a part of their culture?
Marigolds are used a great deal in the Hindu religion. The flowers symbolize good luck and a connection with the divine. There is a lot more to it, so use our trusty friend, Google. :)
WOW! That is really amazing!
It's an amazing engineering achievement. And I never saw it on TV... how come?
Isn't it strange how many interesting places are never (or vary rarely) shown on TV?
Agreed!
I can't believe we didn't go here while we were in India. Another reason to go back! There are so many things to see that it's hard to catch them all. It's in incredible shape for being so old, I guess that's the benefit of being a hole in the ground rather than a temple above... I can't fall over. I take it nobody is allowed in though eh?
Hah-- Good point about it not being able to fall over. I think that they do allow people to go down into it for certain festivals during the year. I love how India keeps its ancient sites in use!
Excellent photos! I was in Rajasthan a year ago but didn't get to see this giant hole. I'm kinda jealous you did! :-D
That is pretty spectacular!
I have only one thing to say: WOW!
Really amazing...India is really great country with lots of color. I have been there in recent past never got chance to see this place.
Omg! I just saw you post this on FB so I clicked out of curiosity- and I've been here! How incredible! I was in India in 2007 and I'd almost forgotten about this place, so unreal. I would've loved to see it with all the candles lit on the steps. Thanks for sharing your photos!
What a neat coincidence!
This really redefines the meaning of well. And how fascinating that it's still a working temple and not just a museum.
Great architectural shots
Wow, that is so weird!
Had never seen or heard of this before -- very cool, Lillie!
the beautiful architecture, the extremely great photos.
Wow! That's huge...looks like an awesome place to visit...
I never realized what an amazing photographer you were before this post. Your sense of composition is out of this world!
So kind, Robert! Thank you! That means a lot coming from you.
Wow- now this is a place that I would like to visit. Holiday photos would be awesome!
This is one place we won't get to in India, but all of your articles have been great for my trip planning! Now, to figure out how to book trains...
I'm glad they've helped, and good luck!
Wow! That is a huge well. Those would be quite the workout. I love all of the other pictures. Especially of the people. Thanks for sharing.
You always illustrate your articles with the most amazing photos, Lillie. Would love to go. Race you down and back up the stairs?
Thanks, Matt! Watch out-- I was a varsity Track athlete in college!
Quite an amazing well! And your photos are luscious...
Thanks! "Lusciousness" is one thing I go for, as you can see from the 5 "L" categories below my header. :)