Abhaneri Village, Dausa District, Rajasthan (approx. 95 km from Jaipur)
₹25–₹30 for Indians | ₹300 for Foreigners (Subject to slight ASI revisions)
Chand Baori was built between roughly 800 and 900 CE, traditionally attributed to Raja Chanda of the Nikumbh dynasty, whose name it carries. It was designed as a deep stepwell to guarantee year-round access to groundwater in this arid part of Rajasthan, and its 3,500 steps descending 13 storeys make it one of the deepest and largest stepwells in India. Today it is protected by the Archaeological Survey of India and known internationally as a filming location, including for The Dark Knight Rises.
No inscriptions confirming its construction have survived, so its dating rests on stylistic comparison with nearby temples, though tradition consistently credits Raja Chanda. The adjoining Harshat Mata Temple, dedicated to the goddess of joy for whom the stepwell itself is named, was built around the same period and later damaged during medieval invasions, and the stepwell’s own carvings suffered similar damage over the centuries. Descending the steps is no longer permitted, but visitors can still take in the full depth from railings at the top.
800 to 900 CE: Chand Baori is built, traditionally attributed to Raja Chanda of the Nikumbh dynasty, though no inscriptions have been found to confirm this.
Similar period: The adjoining Harshat Mata Temple is built, later damaged during medieval invasions along with parts of the stepwell’s own carvings.
1864: The French traveller Louis Rousselet gives one of the earliest written descriptions of the stepwell.
2012: The stepwell’s interior appears as “The Pit” prison in The Dark Knight Rises, among other films shot at the site.
Present day: Chand Baori is protected by the Archaeological Survey of India, with descent into the well no longer permitted.
Chand Baori is built in an inverted pyramid shape, with three sides made up of steep, symmetrical flights of steps descending to the water. The 3,500 steps are arranged in a repeating zigzag pattern across 13 storeys, a design that creates the dramatic geometric illusion for which the stepwell is known, and one that also maximises shade and reduces evaporation in the heat.
The fourth side departs from this pattern: a multi storeyed pavilion, supported by carved pillars, with jharokhas (balconies) and galleries that once sheltered the royal family. At the bottom, the temperature typically runs 5 to 6 degrees cooler than at the surface, which made the stepwell a genuine gathering place as well as a water source.
The stepwell plunges approximately 30 metres (100 feet) into the ground, divided into 13 distinct storeys. It is recognised as one of the deepest stepwells in India.
The most striking feature of Chand Baori is its perfect symmetry. It consists of exactly 3,500 narrow, meticulously arranged steps descending in a V-shaped pattern. The interplay of light and shadow across these steps creates a hypnotic, maze-like visual effect.
Located directly adjoining the stepwell, this 9th-century temple is dedicated to the Goddess of Joy. Though partially destroyed over the centuries, the remaining stone carvings and pillars display exquisite craftsmanship.
Chand Baori’s dramatic architecture has caught the eye of many filmmakers. It famously featured as the underground prison in Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight Rises, as well as in The Fall, Best Exotic Marigold Hotel, and the Bollywood hit Bhool Bhulaiyaa.
While three sides of the stepwell are covered in steps, the fourth side features a multi-storeyed pavilion supported by intricately carved pillars. These pavilions include beautiful jharokhas (balconies) and galleries that once housed the royal family when they visited to escape the heat.
Essential details to help you plan your visit with ease.
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Chand Baori is traditionally credited to Raja Chanda of the Nikumbh dynasty, with construction dated to around the 8th to 9th centuries CE based on architectural style, since no inscriptions confirming this have survived.
The stepwell was dedicated to Harshat Mata, the local goddess of joy and happiness, whose adjoining temple was built around the same period and remains standing, albeit partially damaged, beside the stepwell.
Yes, its steps appear as the interior of “The Pit” prison in the 2012 film, though the fort exterior for the same scenes was filmed separately at Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur.
The Archaeological Survey of India closed the lower levels to protect the stepwell’s stonework and carvings from wear, so visitors now view it from railings at the top.
It is famous for being one of the deepest and largest stepwells in the world, known for its symmetrical geometry of 3,500 narrow steps.