Agrasen Ki Baoli: The Most Amazing Attraction in New Delhi

One of the most unusual places I encountered during my travels through the cities of India's Golden Triangle was the stepwell Agrasen Ki Baoli. Here’s what it looks like and how to find it.

Agrasen Ki Baoli: An Uncommon Structure in the Heart of the Indian Capital

I’ve only seen one Indian stepwell, but according to information online, these structures are quite common here. They were used as water reservoirs for dry periods. The first stepwells were built as early as the 3rd century, and by the 19th century, there were several thousand in India.

Here, you can also find buildings like these

Agrasen Ki Baoli (Ugrasen ki Baoli) is an extensive outdoor structure stretching 60 meters, featuring a staircase and a pool of water at the bottom. The depth of the well is 15 meters. It is said that Agrasen Ki Baoli was constructed in 1132.

I didn’t spend much time here, but most other visitors come to sit and relax, enjoying the unusual sight: all the steps of the well are occupied by people of various ages.

Drying clothes right in the middle of the street

It’s not possible to descend all the way to the water; there is a railing installed. At the far end of the well, there are several halls with arches, which are also inaccessible. A sign at the entrance indicates that a mosque was located in the western part of the area in the past.

I came across information suggesting that Agrasen Ki Baoli was once used like conventional wells, equipped with devices for filling buckets with water, made of leather. This mechanism was powered by bulls. The water level in the wells constantly changed, and the steps leading to the lowest level allowed access to the reservoir at any water height.

At the bottom, there is a water reservoir

Online sources state that Agrasen Ki Baoli was built in 1132

Agrasen Ki Baoli: How to Get There

The well is open from dawn to dusk. While preparing this article, I found curious information that Indian authorities restrict access due to fears of evil spirits in the well. However, I see no mystique in this; being in darkness near the water is simply unsafe.

The first stepwells were built as early as the 3rd century

I plotted my route here using online maps. The nearest metro station, Rajiv Chowk, is about a ten-minute walk from the well. Along the way, I encountered both modern, tidy houses and neighborhoods where locals set up makeshift barbershops right on the streets.

Agrasen Ki Baoli is free to visit.