Chand Baori's dark Secret: Did a wedding procession vanish into thin air?

Dausa (The Uttam Hindu): The sandy lands of Rajasthan have always been filled with mysteries and stories, and one such place is Chand Baori. Located in the small village of Abhaneri in Dausa district, Chand Baori attracts tourists from all over the world for its amazing architecture and mysterious stories. It is said that an entire wedding procession once descended here and never returned.

Chand Baori was built in the 8th-9th century by King Chand of the Nikumbh dynasty. The stepwell is approximately 19.5 meters deep and has a total of 1,300 steps. Its design is such that it is also known as a "labyrinth." The entrance is on the north side, and double staircases lead down three ways. Locals say that anyone who descends down the stairs to the water cannot easily return by the same route.

But the most terrifying and mysterious story of Chand Baori is that of a vanished wedding procession. Local elders say that centuries ago, a wedding procession descended into the stepwell. The people in that procession were lost in its depths, and no one has returned to this day. Although historians believe this to be mere fiction, this story still piques the curiosity of tourists.

The wonder of Chand Baori lies not only in its depth or stairs, but also in its pillars and pavilions. The multi-story gallery and statues of Mahishasuramardini and Lord Ganesha on the northern pillars make it even more attractive. Local belief holds that on moonlit nights, when the moonlight falls on the stepwell, it glows completely, leaving onlookers spellbound.

Today, this historic monument is preserved by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI). Visitors can visit the stepwell from sunrise to sunset, descending into it to experience a unique blend of mystery, history, and architecture.