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Chand Baori in the Abhaneri village was built by King Chanda of the Nikumbha Dynasty in 9th century AD. It has 3,500 perfectly symmetrical, narrow steps which takes the form of a double flight of steps on three sides of the well, which take one to the surface of the water below. These steps descend to the water level over 13 intermediate levels. The baori narrows as one gets closer to the bottom. The fourth (northern) side is a multi-storeyed pavilion with intricately carved jharokhas (windows), galleries and balconies.
The baori is approached from the North. The well measures 37m by 37m at the surface, and tapers down to about 6.5m by 6.5m at the water level. It is about 20m deep from the surface to the water level. As the pavilion occupies much of the northern side, the water is much closer to the southern wall, making it an asymmetrical frustum of an inverted four-sided pyramid.
Beyond the geometrical symmetry of the steps along the three sides of the well, the structure on the north holds the most interest for a visitor. It is a six-storey structure, including the hall built above the surface. The levels grow successively broader and broader as one goes down, leaving the least space for tank at the bottom. At each level, there is a central hall, with two flanking halls on the east and west. There are two projecting chambers dividing the central hallway from the flanking halls on the first three levels below the surface.
The first level below the surface has projecting chambers with narrow windows. The overhanging eaves on this level are supported by corbels with elephant sculptures.
The second level below the surface has projecting chambers with narrow, arched doorways which open out onto small viewing platforms.
The third level below the surface has a large platform with the ceiling of the hall directly below dividing this platform into separate eastern and western terraces.
The fourth level below the surface has only the flanking halls on the east and the west. These halls look out directly on the tank below through windows with overhanging eaves and decorated columns.
At the lower-most level, the structure on the north contains two projected offsets to house a niche in each of them. These two niches serve as shrines, the right one houses the deity Ganesha while the left one has an image of Mahishasuramardini. The Ganesha shrine is crowned with chaitya having a female dancer and her attendant carved over it. There are many other dancing figures and attendants carved around this structure. On the upper section, carvings depicting Uma-Maheshwara and Simhavahini Durga can be seen.
The pavilions on the upper sections feature a number of beautifully carved pillars with decorated capitals, domed ceilings, and elephant-themed corbels.
There is a provision to draw water from the well up to a level just above the shrines at the bottom - most likely using a pulley system - and to store the water in a tank towards the back (northern) wall of the structure.
The enclosure wall, the verandah running on the inside of the enclosure wall, and the pavilion at the entrance are later day additions.
Adjoining the Chand Baori is the Harshad or Harsiddhi Mata Temple. This 9th-10th century temple was also built during the reign of King Chandra.
This east-facing temple is built on a high platform. It originally had a super structure of Mahameru style. The plan boasts of a pancharatha sanctum, a sandhara garbha griha, a pillared sabha mandapa and a domed ceiling. There are a number of finely carved images placed in niches, adorning the plinth of the upper terrace and the temple walls. These sculptures depict both deities, and couples in various state of courting, accompanied by attendants and musicians. They are placed in mini-shrines. The horizontal panels are decorated by floral and faunal themes.
Many of the pieces in the temple have been defaced. The structure as seen today has undergone extensive repair and restructuring over the years.
The baori is approached from the North. The well measures 37m by 37m at the surface, and tapers down to about 6.5m by 6.5m at the water level. It is about 20m deep from the surface to the water level. As the pavilion occupies much of the northern side, the water is much closer to the southern wall, making it an asymmetrical frustum of an inverted four-sided pyramid.
Beyond the geometrical symmetry of the steps along the three sides of the well, the structure on the north holds the most interest for a visitor. It is a six-storey structure, including the hall built above the surface. The levels grow successively broader and broader as one goes down, leaving the least space for tank at the bottom. At each level, there is a central hall, with two flanking halls on the east and west. There are two projecting chambers dividing the central hallway from the flanking halls on the first three levels below the surface.
The first level below the surface has projecting chambers with narrow windows. The overhanging eaves on this level are supported by corbels with elephant sculptures.
The second level below the surface has projecting chambers with narrow, arched doorways which open out onto small viewing platforms.
The third level below the surface has a large platform with the ceiling of the hall directly below dividing this platform into separate eastern and western terraces.
The fourth level below the surface has only the flanking halls on the east and the west. These halls look out directly on the tank below through windows with overhanging eaves and decorated columns.
At the lower-most level, the structure on the north contains two projected offsets to house a niche in each of them. These two niches serve as shrines, the right one houses the deity Ganesha while the left one has an image of Mahishasuramardini. The Ganesha shrine is crowned with chaitya having a female dancer and her attendant carved over it. There are many other dancing figures and attendants carved around this structure. On the upper section, carvings depicting Uma-Maheshwara and Simhavahini Durga can be seen.
The pavilions on the upper sections feature a number of beautifully carved pillars with decorated capitals, domed ceilings, and elephant-themed corbels.
There is a provision to draw water from the well up to a level just above the shrines at the bottom - most likely using a pulley system - and to store the water in a tank towards the back (northern) wall of the structure.
The enclosure wall, the verandah running on the inside of the enclosure wall, and the pavilion at the entrance are later day additions.
Adjoining the Chand Baori is the Harshad or Harsiddhi Mata Temple. This 9th-10th century temple was also built during the reign of King Chandra.
This east-facing temple is built on a high platform. It originally had a super structure of Mahameru style. The plan boasts of a pancharatha sanctum, a sandhara garbha griha, a pillared sabha mandapa and a domed ceiling. There are a number of finely carved images placed in niches, adorning the plinth of the upper terrace and the temple walls. These sculptures depict both deities, and couples in various state of courting, accompanied by attendants and musicians. They are placed in mini-shrines. The horizontal panels are decorated by floral and faunal themes.
Many of the pieces in the temple have been defaced. The structure as seen today has undergone extensive repair and restructuring over the years.