A Treasure in the Midst of Concrete

Quest for peace and curiosity took me to Maharaja Agrasen ki Baoli (a stepwell) in CP, Delhi. It is on Hailey Road at a place where none can imagine it to exist. And it's wonderful. Sadly, I did not have my digital with me that day so had to make do with my cousin's mobile camera. Still, the place looks awesome (see pics).

As the legend goes, friendly ghosts and fairies dwell in Baoli's. Remember the Sheikhchilli stories where the silly chap while taking a breather under the shade of some tree by the side of a well encounters fairies and bargains with them for some goodies. In 'Paheli' the movie, the ghost at the baoli falls for the village lass...such stories are common folklore. Unfortunately, my adventure has no such tale to offer, not that I did not look for the ghost! All that I managed to find was a bat colony and it was eerie!

: )

Enjoy the pics. Please don't mind the bad quality.

A very old tree, just at the entrance of the baoli

Full view of the five levels of the baoli...you may also notice the steps that lead to the water level.

Closer view of the levels and eaves that take you inside the structure where in the hope of encountering a ghost, I met his messengers...bats; and a whole colony of it!


The other side from the same level as the previous photo.


Baoli mihraabs from one of the levels. Cousin in pic.


Baoli from different vantage points...

Lowest level of the five storey baoli. The well could do with some maintenance that was grossly lacking. The water was smelly, perhaps because of monsoons and no upkeep.

From below the scene above...is it not awesome!

Yours truly weaving her way up the narrow stairs...

The other end of the Baoli.
Some seal on the other side of the baoli...
Gang under the old tree waiting for the fairies to drop. They were photo shy it seems! : )