It’s not often that you find a 700-year-old step-well in the middle of a bustling business district. It’s even stranger that the place ranks among India’s Top 10 haunted spots!
But that’s just what Agrasen ki Baoli is. It is one of Delhi’s oldest monuments and the best-preserved baolis in the country. Located 1.5 kms from Jantar Mantar and 2 kms from India Gate, this red-brick monument is was medieval India’s answer to water shortage.
The spot where Agrasen Ki Baoli stands was once the outskirts of the city. As Delhi grew around it, high rises sprung up, leaving the ancient monument completely out of place right in the city centre.
Over 100 steps lead downwards, flanked by carved arches on either side. Initially, you’re greeted by the sound of gurgling pigeons and then with the ruckus of bats. But if you walk ahead, with every few steps you take, you leave the din of the city behind and enter into a vacuum of silence. The baoli that once smartly tapped into difficult-to-reach water tables underground now remains almost waterless.
The steps are now dotted with a handful of tourists as the site surprisingly isn’t popular enough for tour guides to have on their itinerary. Nevertheless, the monument has a lot of rumours attached to it. Old wives tales suggest that tossing a coin in the water will pacify a djinn to grant you a wish. Others say that the water, black with darkness somehow attracted visitors to jump in and commit suicide.
Delhi boasts of a lot of tombs and palaces. But Agrasen Ki Baoli is one-of-a-kind. Visit between 9 am to 5 pm, absolutely free of cost. You won’t need to spend more than 20 minutes here, but it sure is a nice place to see!
By the way, the street that leads up to it is full of funky graffiti! You know how much I love those!!
Catch you later!!
xoxo