When I started in the morning I had no plans to go to the Agrasen Ki Baoli today. But I still ended up there. I was coming home in the Metro, it was before 10.00 am. The train was so crowded that I gave up at Rajeev Chowk and sat in CCD at the metro station to avoid the crowds. However, even after coffee the station was crowded so I walked out. Eventually I took an auto to Agrasen ki Baoli purely on a whim! I knew that by the time I would come back, the office hour rush would be over!
This was my second visit to the monument. Agrasen ki Baoli is said to be built by Maharaja Ugrasen, the forefather of the Agrawal community, in the ancient times. The stepwell is supposed to have been rebuilt by the Agrawals later in the late Tughlaq or Lodhi period. There are many stepwells across India which were used for water management in the olden times. Apart from performing a necessary function the baolis are a thing of beauty too.
Agrasen ki Baoli measures 60 meters long and 15 meters wide. There is a long flight of uneven steps that takes you down to the well. Along the steps there are arches on the walls. You can see that there are many levels to the stepwell.
If you Goolge for the monument you will find some references to the place being haunted. I was not even aware of the fact till I searched today. On both my trips I did not feel even in the slightest that the place was haunted. But then, that is just me.
The place is popular with school and college students and couples. In that sense I was the odd person out, being a lone visitor. There was one family too, you can see the lady climbing down the steps.
Everyone, except the security guard, is interested in taking pictures at the monument. I was no exception, only I was not taking my pictures!
I had a chat with the security guard. He is also from UP so that was the icebreaker. He said if things went out of hand with the college kids they simply call the police control room. When I was there, only one all boys group was loud. When no one paid them any attention, they too quietened down.
Agrasen ki Baoli has been featured in two popular Bollywood movies PK and Sultan. There were not many people today as it was a weekday. I am told the place gets crowded on the weekends. There is no entry fee to the monument. It is an ASI protected monument.
I am happy that I decided to walk back to the nearest metro station, Barahkamba Road. Google Maps showed that it was a 11 minute walk and I was game. When you walk out of the narrow ally do take note of the graffiti done by Harsh Raman and others.
By the time I reached back to Barakhamba Road Metro Station, there was no trace of the rush hour.
I had been a part of the hurrying crowd for so long. It feels good that I can now sidestep it sometimes! Since the trip was unplanned I only had my cell phone with me to click the pictures.
Such fresh images from one of the most beautiful monuments in Delhi
I agree Prasad it is a beautiful monument in the middle of the city!
why doesn’t this place appear in most ‘top places to visit in Delhi’ list?
I am surprised it doesn’t as it was featured in PK and I am told in Sultan too.
Very nice shots.
Thank you so much!
I visited this place in 2014 but it’s wonderful to figure out the history and then visit again..This kind of magnanimous Architecture makes me respect the skilled architects and artisans from that era..and I bet that open sky view would have delivered many starry nights and sunshine mornings to the Royals 🙂
I so agree Veidehi to think of being at the place on a starlit night ages ago is an amazing thought!
Wonderful pics.
Loved the last street art.
Thank you Rupam!
Discussing Stories at Agrasen ki Baoli, 🙂 Usually I found different gender people here in this position discussing their future . By the way it is a beautiful time pass destination near Rajeev Chaowk or Barakhmbha . A museum of Natural scinces at FICCI auditorium is another place , you can go when you are roaming there .
I have noted the Natural Science Museum suggestion, will explore it sometime soon!
have spent my 35 years in Delhi, n never been to this place. awesome pics.. now on my list
You should go preferably on a weekday, you will like it.
Hi Mirdula,
All Indian historical places are so beautiful but the way that you are writing and posting picture its make more beautiful and awesome.
It is so kind of you to say so! But t is the other way round.
It’s mostly less crowded then other popular monuments of Delhi.
If you climb on the top part of baoli, then you will see Dhobis (Washer man) at work next to it.
Next time I will out for the dhobis, missed it. Thank you for the tip.
What a majestic creation! Fantabulous photography!
Love your writing style as always 🙂
TC and keep smiling 🙂
Thank you so much Sindhu, good to see you again! You too take care.
Beautiful captures
Thank you!
Glad to know amore about this monument.
Thank you Niranjan!
Good to know about this monument and yes great pictures !!
Thank you Shaily!
Baolis are wonderful structure. At the base it is nearly two to three degree cooler compared to surface. No wonder, well water is cooler compared to running water. It is a nice place to go down on a hot summer day and spend the afternoon. Ofcourse, at the time baoli was made, population was not as large. I think, we should make many such baolis.
But are we making any new ones? The only baolis I have seen are ancient ones!
This is one of places we wish to visit in Delhi. But never knew about this place when I visited Delhi about 12 years back. May be it’s high time that we make a visit to Delhi.
Yes it is high time 😀 12 years is a long time back 😀
Looks an impressive stepwell, but unfortunately it is without any sculpture which is rare occurrence. It is fashioned on Rani Ka Vav with same measurements. Maybe they may been vandalized that is how the ghost place stuck. Good coverage
Thank you for your inputs Umesh!
Oh very nice thanks for sharing this information i am here in delhi but still it’s new for me But now i will go there thanks once again
Hope you will go!