7 ancient stepwells that are architectural marvels
Ancient Indian stepwells, known as baolis, vavs, or bawdis, are remarkable examples of India's traditional water management and architectural genius. Built deep into the earth with steps leading down to the water, these structures were practical solutions for water storage.
Here are 7 ancient stepwells that are true architectural marvels.
1.
Rani ki Vav
, Gujarat
In the 11th century, Queen Udayamati constructed Rani ki Vav as a memorial to King Bhimdev I. Rani ki Vav is a UNESCO World Heritage monument and among India's best stepwells. Designed in the form of an inverted temple, it has more than 500 sculptures and 1,000 small carvings, predominantly of Lord Vishnu.
2.
Chand Baori
, Rajasthan
Standing in the village of Abhaneri, Chand Baori is India's deepest stepwell that goes down 100 feet with 3,500 steps and 13 levels.
Constructed during the 8th and 9th centuries by King Chanda of the Nikumbh dynasty, its haunting beauty has no match. It has a temple nearby dedicated to Harshat Mata, the goddess of joy.
3.
Adalaj Stepwell
, Gujarat
This five-story stepwell at Adalaj, just outside Ahmedabad, was finished in 1499. Built by Rana Veer Singh for his wife Rani Roopba, it was subsequently completed by the victorious Muslim king Muhammad Begda upon Singh's death. Sadly, the queen took her own life in this well.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
11 Dumbest Things Middle-Class Americans Waste Money On
FinanceBuzz
Undo
The structure has stunning Indo-Islamic architecture with ornate pillars and intricate carvings.
4. Agrasen ki Baoli, Delhi
Concealed in the midst of Delhi, Agrasen ki Baoli is a 60-meter-long and 15-meter-wide stepwell. It is said to have existed since the time of the Mahabharata and was rebuilt in the 14th century by the Agrawal community. Its arcaded niches and symmetrical steps attract photographers and filmmakers alike. The baoli is still shrouded in mystery and has stories of ghostly activity attached to it.
5. Toorji ka Jhalra, Jodhpur
Built in the 18th century by a queen of Maharaja Abhay Singh, Toorji ka Jhalra is a stunning stepwell in Jodhpur made up of all rose-red sandstone. It was unearthed and restored in recent times and is now a peaceful place hidden within the chaotic old city. It is a well-known tourist destination and cultural heritage site today.
6. Nahargarh Stepwell, Jaipur
Constructed in 1734 by Maharaja Sawai Jai Singh II, the Nahargarh stepwells are special for their uneven construction as per the natural slope of the Aravalli hills.
These wells form a part of a smart catchment system, as canals harvest rainwater from the hills and lead it into the wells. The larger stepwell was featured in the Bollywood movie Rang De Basanti.
7.
Shahi Baoli
, Lucknow
Situated at the Bada Imambara complex in Lucknow, Shahi Baoli is an 18th-century imperial stepwell ordered by Nawab Asaf-ud-Daula. It was first constructed to provide water for use in construction processes. Then it was converted into an elegant guesthouse with fountains and marble floors. Its intelligent design gives visitors' reflections in the water before they approach.
One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
1-hr travel to Omkareshwar & Mahakaleshwar by mid-2026
Indore: In a major boost for religious tourism and regional connectivity, Indore, strategically located between the Omkareshwar and Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlingas, is set to offer an unprecedented one-hour travel time to both revered destinations by the next year. This significant reduction in travel duration is largely due to the nearing completion of Madhya Pradesh's first two road tunnels on the Indore-Khandwa road and the upgrade of the Indore-Ujjain four-lane highway to a six-lane expressway. According to Sumesh Banjhal, NHAI Indore project director, approximately 80% of the work on the state's pioneering road tunnels in Choral, part of the Indore-Icchapur highway, was completed. "We are confident to open the tunnel for traffic by June 2026, while the Mortakka bridge over the Narmada River is also expected to be completed by December 2025," Banjhal stated. He added that the Public Works Department (PWD) is simultaneously working to complete a 12 km-long four-lane road connecting the Mortakka Bridge directly to Shri Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga Mandir. Indore-Ujjain four-lane highway is being upgraded to a six-lane expressway by the Madhya Pradesh Road Development Corporation (MPMRDC), with completion also anticipated within the next year, senior officials confirmed. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Free P2,000 GCash eGift UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo Currently, the 60 km journey from Indore airport to Ujjain's Shri Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga Mandir takes between 1 hour 45 minutes to 2 hours. Traveling the approximately 90 km to Khandwa's Shri Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga Mandir via the existing route takes around 3 hours. "As both major roads leading to Shri Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga Mandir and Shri Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga Mandir, situated to the left and right of Indore, are expected to be completed in the next year, the journey time to either major religious destination from MP's commercial city will be drastically reduced to one hour," Banjhal explainedwhile talking to TOI. He provided an illustrative example, saying, "People arriving at Indore airport from Delhi or Mumbai will soon be able to reach Ujjain's Shri Mahakaleshwar Jyotirlinga Mandir, return to Indore, then go to Khandwa's Omkareshwar Jyotirlinga Mandir, and still return to Indore airport to catch a flight for their respective city, all within the same day." Indore collector Asheesh Singh, who also holds the charge of 'Ujjain Kumbh Mela Kshetra,' emphasised the critical role these upgraded highways will play, especially in view of Ujjain's Simhastha Kumbh Mela in 2028, which is expected to attract millions of devotees. He affirmed that efforts are underway to complete these two highways, along with other major road projects, within their stipulated deadlines.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Experts roped in for busy trafffic crossings
Jaipur: To address growing traffic congestion, the Jaipur Commissionerate's traffic department plans to engage a traffic institution for expert solutions at two major city junctions—the MI Road–Tonk Road Junction near the Yadgar traffic headquarters and the Govt Hostel Crossing near the Commissionerate headquarters. Officials said the rapid increase in vehicular traffic has turned these crossings into daily bottlenecks. The situation is expected to worsen with the upcoming construction of Jaipur Metro Line 2 by the Jaipur Metro Rail Corporation (JMRC). The main line will pass through the Govt Hostel Crossing, while a spur from Chandpole Gate will link Line 1 and Line 2 at the same point. JMRC also has plans for metro connectivity to Ajmeri Gate. DCP (traffic) Shaheen C confirmed that preliminary surveys and measures have been implemented. "We are now seeking expert technical input and will appoint a third-party agency to suggest solutions. Institutions like MNIT and others are under consideration," she said. Meanwhile, the traffic department installed sensor-enabled signals at these two crossings. Such signals are installed at a few other crossings in the city, like the Rambagh Circle. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch CFD với công nghệ và tốc độ tốt hơn IC Markets Đăng ký Undo "The time limits (for green or red) at these signals are not pre-set. These signals determine the volume of traffic on each flank and glow red or green according to the requirement. Recently, we installed these signals at these two crossings. Traffic movements at both crossings improved to some extent following the installations," said a senior traffic official. The traffic department also decided to install signals with illuminated poles at all the traffic signals across the city. This technology enables the lighting on the entire pole to be synchronized with the signal, which helps motorists to have a view of the signal, even if they are stranded behind a bigger vehicle.
Mint
2 hours ago
- Mint
Caught on camera: Hot air balloon catches fire, crashes in Brazil, at least 8 killed
At least eight people were killed and 13 injured after a hot-air balloon caught fire and crashed in Brazil on Saturday. The balloon was carrying 21 people and caught fire in southern Brazil, said the governor of Santa Catarina state, where the incident occurred, an AFP report said. "Eight fatalities and 13 survivors," Governor Jorginho Mello said on X. Videos taken by bystanders and carried on Brazilian television showed the moment when the balloon erupted in flames above the coastal town of Praia Grande. The tourism balloon caught fire during the flight in early morning hours, crashing in the city of Praia Grande, according to the state fire department. The basket carrying the passengers plummeted dozens of meters to the ground in flames. Thirteen survivors were transported to nearby hospitals, according to the fire department, a Reuters report said. An investigation was launched to determine the cause of the accident, another news agency AFP reported. 'We are in mourning. A tragedy has happened. We will see how it unfolds, what happened, why it happened. But the important thing now is for the state structure to do what it can,' Gov. Mello said in a video on X. Mello said he has asked authorities to head to the municipality 'to do as much as possible to rescue, to help, to take to hospital, to comfort the families.' Last Sunday, a balloon fell in Sao Paulo state, killing a 27-year-old woman and injuring 11 others, G1 reported. Praia Grande is a common destination for hot-air ballooning, a popular activity in some parts of Brazil's south during June festivities that celebrate Catholic saints such as Saint John. A hot air balloon crashed in central Turkiye on June 15, leaving its pilot dead and 19 Indonesian tourists injured, a local official said. State-run Anadolu Agency said another hot air balloon taking off from the same location of Ilhara Valley also made a hard landing early Sunday morning, and that 12 Indian tourists were slightly injured and taken to hospital. In a statement, the governor's office said the balloons were affected by a sudden change of wind. In the first incident, the balloon was trying to make a hard landing near the village of Gozlukuyu in Aksaray province, when the pilot fell out of the balloon's basket and his feet got tangled in a rope, Aksaray Governor Mehmet Ali Kumbuzoglu said. 'Unfortunately, our pilot got stuck under the basket and died,' he said, adding that the injured tourists were taken to a hospital. Video from Ilhas News Agency showed one deflated balloon, its passenger basket lying on its side, as emergency services tended to injured people. An investigation is underway.
