The famous stepwells in India are an essential part of the country’s architecture and history. Mostly stepwells are found in the hot, dry states of North India, particularly in Rajasthan, Haryana, and Gujarat. The term ‘Baori’ is used for the stepwells in India, as the name suggests, these are the wells with stairs descending into them. Stepwells can be traced back to the Indus Valley civilization. Stepwells were built to make the water collection more comfortable and served as a source of worship too.
The stepwells are known as ‘Vav’ in Gujarat and ‘Baori’ in Rajasthan and are popular for their stunning architecture and brilliance. Every baori is different from one another in shapes like round, rectangular, square, and L-shaped, and on some entrances depending on their environment. Check this list of the 12 most popular stepwells in India and get stuck in awe.
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Chand Baori, Rajasthan
Chand Baori is situated in Rajasthan’s Abhaneri village and is one of the most famous stepwells in India. This square-shaped stepwell was built by the King Chanda of the Nikumbh dynasty of Rajputs between the 8th and 9th centuries. Chand Baori is a wonderful piece of architecture that attracts many tourists every year. Locales believed that Chand Baori is dedicated to the Harshad Mata the goddess of happiness and joy and it was built to serve as a source of water for the villagers.
Chand Baori goes as deep as 20 meters in the well and consists of 3500 stairs making it the deepest stepwell in India. Chand Baori is a 13-floor stepwell that will look in perfect symmetry and stunning from a distance. The stepwell features a series of royal pavilions with the resting rooms for the king and queen on the north side of the well.
Location- Abhaneri, Bandikui, Rajasthan
Architectural style- Mihir bhoj
Entry Fees- Free
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Rani ki Vav, Gujarat
Rani ki Vav is situated in Patan in Gujarat and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Rani ki Vav also known as “Queen’s Stepwell” dates back to the 11th century during the reign of the Chalukya dynasty. Rani ki Vav is situated near to Saraswati river and was constructed by the Rani Udayamati, in the memory of Bhima I. From the architectural point of view, Rani ki Vav is the most beautiful stepwell in India.
The walls of the stepwell contained drawings of lord Vishnu in different avatars and were used as a place of worship. Rani ki Vav has seven floors, and each floor is ornate with religious images and sculptures. The creative handiwork and architecture make this stepwell stands apart.
Location- Mohan Nagar Society, Patan, Gujarat
Architectural Style- Maru-Gurjara style
Entry Fees- INR 15 for Indians and INR 200 for Foreigners
Agrasen ki Baoli, New Delhi
Agrasen ki Baoli is situated in New Delhi and is one of the famous stepwells in India. This popular stepwell is flanked by high rises towers and tucked in the city near Connaught Place. Agrasen ki Baoli consists of three levels and 108 steps dipping into the well. It is believed that this baoli belongs to the reign of the Tughlaq or Lodi dynasty as per its architectural style.
People believed that Agrasen ki Baoli was constructed by Raja Agrasen during the Mahabharata. Under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), today, Agrasen ki Baoli is a protected monument. This baoli get famous when it appeared in one of the Bollywood flicks named PK. Some of the famous hotels in Delhi are in the vicinity of this stepwell.
Location- Hailey Road, New Delhi
Architectural Style- Hindu architecture style
Entry Fees- Free
Hampi Pushkarini, Karnataka
Pushkarini in Hampi, Karnataka is situated next to the temples. This stepwell is on the list of popular stepwells in India traced back to the Vijayanagar Empire and was constructed during the 15th century. Pushakarini is used as a place of worship by the people of Hampi. This stepwell is constructed by using finely finished blocks of black schist stones and is different from other structures of Hampi. The famous ruins of Hampi are listed on the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Pushakrini stepwell is perfectly geometrical and has a unique feature in which the water is filled by a channel similar to Roman architecture.
Location- Hampi, Karnataka
Architectural Style- Chalukya Architecture style
Entry Fees- Free
Rajon ki Baoli, New Delhi
Rajon ki Baoli is situated in the Mehrauli Archaeological Park and is a stepwell that traces back to the 16th century. Rajon ki Baoli is built by the Daulat Khan Lodi during the reign of Sikandar Lodi in the year 1512. This stepwell gets its name from the Rajon (masons) in the early 1900s. Daulat Khan also built a mosque adjoining the stepwell that is used by him for peace of mind. This rectangular stepwell is one of the deepest stepwells in India and has four storeys and steps going down into the well.
Location- Mehrauli, New Delhi
Architectural Style- Medieval Period architecture style
Entry Fees- Free
Surya Kund, Gujarat
Surya Kund is a stepwell situated at the famous Sun Temple, Modhera in Gujarat. Surya Kund is one of the most famous stepwells in India. This stepwell was built by King Bhima I of the Chalukya Dynasty in the 11th century and dedicated to Lord Sun. This is a rectangular stepwell with four terraces and steps that goes down into the stepwell. This stepwell has 180 miniatures shrines of Lord Ganesh, Vishnu, and other local deities.
Location- Sun Temple, Modhera, Gujarat
Architectural Style- Maru-Gurjara Architecture style
Entry Fees- INR 25 for Indians, INR 300 for Foreigners
Toorji ka Jhalra, Rajasthan
Toorji ka Jhalra is a stepwell situated in the heart of Jodhpur city. Toorji ka Jhalra is one of the deepest stepwells in India. This red sandstone stepwell was built by the wife of Maharaja Abhay Singh in the 18th century. Toorji ka Jhalra is considered one of the finest stepwells in India and had beautiful paintings of various animals and statues of many deities. This stepwell is the main attraction of the city that draws many tourists every year. Visit this stepwell as it is situated near to Jodhpur hotels.
Location- Jodhpur, Rajasthan
Architectural Style- Rajput architecture style
Entry Fees- Free
Adalaj ni Vav, Gandhinagar
Adalaj ni Vav is a stepwell situated at Adalaj near Ahmedabad in Gujarat. This elegant five-storey stepwell was completed in the year 1499. Adalaj ni Vav is one of the popular stepwells in India that was built to curb the water crisis in the village. According to legends, Rana Veer Singh of the Vaghela Dynasty started the construction of this stepwell for his wife Rani Roopba. The stepwell has Islamic floral patterns along with the Hindu gods. The walls of the stepwells are decorated with drawings of elephants, dancers, mythological scenes, and women’s chores. Kalp Vriksha (tree of life) and Ami Khumbor (Pot containing the Water of Life) are the highlights of the stepwell.
Location- Adalaj, Gandhinagar, Gujarat
Architectural Style- Indo-Islamic architecture style
Entry Fees- INR 25 for Indians, INR 300 for Foreigners
Dada Hari Stepwell, Ahmedabad
Dada Hari stepwell is also similar to Adalaj ni Vav and is situated in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. This stepwell was completed by Muhammad Begda’s Harem supervisor Sultan Bai Harir (known as Dada Hari) in Ahmedabad in the year 1500. It is one of the famous stepwells in India which was made as a retreat during hot summers. Dada Hari’s stepwell has seven levels and the spiral stairs lead down by passing the decorated pillars. On the walls of this stepwell, both Sanskrit and Arabic inscriptions are carved. Tourists can stay at some of the best Ahmedabad hotels from which this stepwell is at a minimum distance.
Location- Ahmedabad, Gujarat
Architectural Style- Indo-Islamic architecture style
Entry Fees- Free
Panna Meena ka Kund, Jaipur
Panna Meena ka Kund is an ancient stepwell situated in the Pink city among the numerous marvels of architecture. Panna Meena ka Kund is situated right next to the Amber fort but is majorly overlooked by the tourists. Panna Meena ka Kund is one of the popular stepwells in India and was built to supply water to the locales. Panna Meena ka Kund was established in the 16th century and it served as a community center for the societies living around. There are so many heritage hotels in Jaipur near this famous stepwell which you can choose for your stay in the city.
Location- Amer City, Jaipur, Rajasthan
Architectural Style- Medieval Period architecture style
Entry Fees- Free
Read more: Hill Stations Near Jaipur
Shahi Baoli, Lucknow
Shahi Baoli is a part of the Bada Imambara situated in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. This complex was built by the Nawab of Awadh named Nawab Asaf-Ud-Daula in the 18th century. Shahi Baoli is one of the deepest stepwells in India and is connected to the Gomti river. In ancient times, the baoli served the water to the people and it has five storeys. Shahi Baoli currently is used as a tourist spot.
Location- Bada Imambara, Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
Architectural Style- Indo-Islamic architecture style
Entry Fees- INR 50 for Indians, INR 500 for Foreigners
Rani Ji ki Baori, Bundi, Rajasthan
Rani Ji ki Baori is an ancient stepwell in India situated at Bundi in Rajasthan. Rani Ji ki Baori or Queen’s Stepwell is constructed under Queen Nathavati in 1699 in Bundi. Lined with four sturdy pillars and a slender arched high roof, the baori has a narrow gateway. Bundi is popularly known as the city of stepwells as the city houses around 50 baoris.
Location- Bundi, Rajasthan
Architectural Style- Rajput architecture style
Entry Fees- Free
The history of stepwells in India dates back to the Medieval period. Each stepwell that we have mentioned above is either a significant monument from its era or famous for its architectural wonder. Stepwells are complex structures that were built to serve the needs of the locales during the hot summers. You can visit the famous stepwells in India with HotelDekho.com by booking tours, places to visit, and hotels at discounted rates.
