India’s most beautiful stepwells | CNN

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India’s most beautiful stepwells

Updated 10:05 PM EDT, Tue October 6, 2020
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<strong>Chand Baori: </strong>Enigmatic historic sites, stepwells were once used to store water -- particularly in the arid regions of Gujarat and Rajasthan, where they number in the thousands. One of the most impressive architectural structures in India, Chand Baori is made up of 3,500 steps over 13 stories.
Chand Baori: Enigmatic historic sites, stepwells were once used to store water -- particularly in the arid regions of Gujarat and Rajasthan, where they number in the thousands. One of the most impressive architectural structures in India, Chand Baori is made up of 3,500 steps over 13 stories.
Pavlo Fedykovych
<strong>Chand Baori: </strong>Located in the Indian state of Rajasthan, Chand Baori features a carved temple at the center. Looks familiar? The scene in which Bruce Wayne escapes a subterranean prison in the film "The Dark Knight Rises" was shot here.
Chand Baori: Located in the Indian state of Rajasthan, Chand Baori features a carved temple at the center. Looks familiar? The scene in which Bruce Wayne escapes a subterranean prison in the film "The Dark Knight Rises" was shot here.
Pavlo Fedykovych
<strong>Agrasen Ki Baoli: </strong>Located in the heart of New Delhi, nestled among skyscrapers, Agrasen Ki Baoli is a spectacular sight that's easy to miss. It features 108 steps, which descend to the blackness of a now-empty covered water reservoir.
Agrasen Ki Baoli: Located in the heart of New Delhi, nestled among skyscrapers, Agrasen Ki Baoli is a spectacular sight that's easy to miss. It features 108 steps, which descend to the blackness of a now-empty covered water reservoir.
Pavlo Fedykovych
<strong>Rajon Ki Baoli: </strong>Another remarkable Delhi stepwell, Rajon Ki Baoli is located in the city's historic Mehrauli neighborhood.
Rajon Ki Baoli: Another remarkable Delhi stepwell, Rajon Ki Baoli is located in the city's historic Mehrauli neighborhood.
Pavlo Fedykovych
<strong>Toorji Ka Jhalra Bavdi: </strong>Commissioned by Jodhpur Maharani (queen) Gulab Rai in the 18th century, Toorji ka Jhalra impresses with multiple pyramidal steps and elegant ornate elements representing the best in Rajput architecture.<strong> </strong>It hosted the<strong> </strong>Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series in November 2019.
Toorji Ka Jhalra Bavdi: Commissioned by Jodhpur Maharani (queen) Gulab Rai in the 18th century, Toorji ka Jhalra impresses with multiple pyramidal steps and elegant ornate elements representing the best in Rajput architecture. It hosted the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series in November 2019.
Handout/Getty Images AsiaPac/Red Bull via Getty Images
<strong>Mahila Bag Ka Jhalra: </strong>Just a few blocks away from Toorji Ka Jhalra lies another marvelous stepwell -- Mahila Bag Ka Jhalra.
Mahila Bag Ka Jhalra: Just a few blocks away from Toorji Ka Jhalra lies another marvelous stepwell -- Mahila Bag Ka Jhalra.
Pavlo Fedykovych
<strong>Rani Ki Vav: </strong>The only stepwell protected by UNESCO in India, Rani Ki Vav was built in the 11th century by Queen Udayamati of the ruling Chalukya dynasty.
Rani Ki Vav: The only stepwell protected by UNESCO in India, Rani Ki Vav was built in the 11th century by Queen Udayamati of the ruling Chalukya dynasty.
Gujarat Tourism
<strong>Rani Ki Vav: </strong>Rani Ki Vav (translated as "queen's well") is a subterranean world filled with masterful sculptures, elaborate carvings and endless passages.
Rani Ki Vav: Rani Ki Vav (translated as "queen's well") is a subterranean world filled with masterful sculptures, elaborate carvings and endless passages.
Gujarat Tourism
<strong>Adalaj Stepwell: </strong>Offering a magnificent blend of Muslim and Hindu architecture, this beauty is found in the small village of Adalaj in Gujarat.
Adalaj Stepwell: Offering a magnificent blend of Muslim and Hindu architecture, this beauty is found in the small village of Adalaj in Gujarat.
Gujarat Tourism
<strong>Adalaj Stepwell: </strong>The Adalaj Stepwell is among the most impressive in the country. It's made up of five floors and a labyrinth of intricately carved rooms, passages and halls.
Adalaj Stepwell: The Adalaj Stepwell is among the most impressive in the country. It's made up of five floors and a labyrinth of intricately carved rooms, passages and halls.
Gujarat Tourism
<strong>Dada Harir Stepwell: </strong>Tucked between a McDonald's and the railway tracks on the outskirts of the Gujarat city of Ahmedabad, the Dada Harir Stepwell is a photographer's dream destination.
Dada Harir Stepwell: Tucked between a McDonald's and the railway tracks on the outskirts of the Gujarat city of Ahmedabad, the Dada Harir Stepwell is a photographer's dream destination.
Gujarat Tourism
<strong>Dada Harir Stepwell: </strong>The stepwell offers underground columned passages, fascinating sculpture work and mesmerizing carvings that date back to the 15th century.
Dada Harir Stepwell: The stepwell offers underground columned passages, fascinating sculpture work and mesmerizing carvings that date back to the 15th century.
Gujarat Tourism
<strong>Panna Meena Ka Kund: </strong>Panna Meena Ka Kund, nestled under a mighty fort in the village of Amer, is a picture-perfect water structure graciously woven into this ancient temple-filled area. Britain's Prince Charles visited the well in 2003.
Panna Meena Ka Kund: Panna Meena Ka Kund, nestled under a mighty fort in the village of Amer, is a picture-perfect water structure graciously woven into this ancient temple-filled area. Britain's Prince Charles visited the well in 2003.
PRAKASH SINGH/AFP/AFP via Getty Images

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