Chand Baori

Built during the 8th and the 9th century by King Chand, the stepwell was dedicated to Harshat Mata, the goddess of joy and Happiness. This well was built so that the local people could have easy access to clean groundwater all year round. It served the purpose of being the dependable water source for many surrounding regions for many years before any water providing channels were introduced. One can also point out that the largemouth of the well would have functioned for rainwater harvesting.

Plus, this gorgeous structure is said to be a gathering place for the Abhaneri locals wherein they would sit around the well and cool off in the lower part of the stepwell during the summer days as the lower section was usually 7-8 degrees cooler.

Apart from these general usages, it is also believed to have certain religious connotations. According to Hindu Mythology, water forms the boundary between heaven and earth. Thus, it also became a place for meditations, prayers, and religious bathing that one must follow before visiting the nearby Harshat Mata temple.

However, that is not the complete picture. Many locals believe the Baori to be haunted. According to the locals, the Baori was built in one night which is practically impossible. Hence, it was believed that this superhuman task was given to a Djinn popularly known as a Genie giving it a supernatural twist. This belief came to start with many pointing that they have not used the same staircase twice. They climbed up from different steps of stairs from which they stepped down. Whether the location is haunted or not is debatable but there have been many witnesses that claim its haunted beliefs.