Agrasen Ki Baoli

Delhi is a city with innumerable heritage structure that are the reminders of a great past. In such a historical city, one has a lot to explore. There  is one such mystical place located within the city, yet far from the bustle of city life! It is none other than the ancient stepwell Agrasen Ki Baoli. It is a protected monument and one of the must visit places in India. Agrasen Ki Baoli aka Ugrasen Ki Baoli stands in the heart of Delhi as a Souvenir left behind by time. This ornate stepwell, which was once a water reservoir , is an exquisite example of splendid architecture and ancient engineering skills. One of the oldest monuments and the best-preserved stepwell in Delhi. It now serves as a prime attraction for tourists and photography enthusiasts visiting the national capital. Its silent walls , forlorn steps , and stone arches narrate the tale of its erstwhile grandeur and glory. It is definitely one of those heritage structure you must explore.

History of this Place

There is no clear historical records about when the magnificent Agrasen Ki Baoli  was built and by whom. Many historians suggest that it was constructed during the period of Mahabharata by none other than the legendary king of  Agroha , named Maharaja Agrasen. The stepwell or Baoli draws its name from him. later, in the 14th century, it was rebuilt by the people of the Agrawal community who are known to be the descendants of Maharaja Agrasen. The architectural features of the stepwell indicates that it was reconstructed during the Tughlaq dynasty or Lodhi dynasty's reign over Delhi. It was built to serve not only as water reservoir but also as a community place. It is believed that women of those time used to assemble at this well and the cool ambience of the Baoli provided them with the perfect spot to relax and spend some moments. It is rumored that the water reservoir contained mystical black water that enticed people to jump into it and end their lives. As you go down the staircase towards the water, It feels as if an unseen force behest you to enter this abyss of doom and you are hypnotically drawn towards it. Whether any of this is true or not can only be determined by exploring this place and it is often counted among the top haunted in Delhi. 

What to explore in this Place?

Agrasen Ki Baoli  may not boast a huge complex, but it definitely has a few structures and attractions that are worth exploring including: 

• The covered well 
• The small mosque
• The arched alcoves lining the stepwell 

Architecture

Ugrasen Ki Baoli is 60 meters in length and 15 meters in width , features a unique and ornate architectural style. The whole structure is built out of rubble masonry, using an assortment of rocks and stones. The rectangular shape of the stepwell makes it stand out from the other baolis in Delhi that were built as round water reservoirs. It spread over three visible levels each of which is adorned with beautiful and symmetrical arched niches that line on both sides. A circular well exists at the northern end of this stepwell. It measures 8 meters in diameter and remains dry for most of the years. A small mosque exists at the south-west corner of the Agrasen Ki Baoli complex. A triple-arched entrance leads you to the mosque. These arches are supported by four sandstone pillars, one of which had collapsed long ago. These pillars are ornamented structures that add to the aesthetic beauty of the whole structure.

Facts that you surely didn't know about this place:

• Built during the time of Mahabharata.      
• Agrasen Ki Baoli is definitely an architectural marvel. It has 108 steps which goes down to the well and as you go down , you can experience a drop in temperature as well and it also has a resemblance to the baulis or baodis (stepwells) in Gujarat and Rajasthan.
• The water inside the well of Agrasen Ki Baoli is said to hypnotise people and allure them to commit suicide. It is said that the well had black water, which mysteriously killed people.
• It is said to be one of the top haunted destinations in India. Some people have said that they have heard strange noises and witnessed apparitions . It is mostly visited by tourists and locals who hang out there.
• The unique architecture and the rustic ambience of this place is much favoured by Bollywood. It has been featured in many movies and has turned into one of the most famous film shooting locations in Delhi.             

                                        MUST VISIT PLACE IN DELHI             

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