Date: Friday 2 Jan 2009
Origin: Jaipur
Mode of Travel: Self Driven Car
From Jaipur to Abhaneri : I took the NH-11 from Jaipur towards Agra. This locally, is known as Agra Road. The road, near Jaipur is loaded with traffic at times. It also passes from the hilly area. So I wasted some time there in traffic Jam. Beyond that, the road is much better and the drive was comfortable. Cross Dausa and Drive further. There will be a Toll Booth and after that there is a left turn from which road diverts for Bandikui. This Crossing is known as Sikandra Chauraha. In case of any confusion, ask any local person for the way to Bandikui. Take the neft turn (towards north).
There is a toll booth again. Tell them specifically that you just want to go till Abhaneri and come back. The cost of toll will be less. By default, they assume that you are going further. Cross the Toll Booth and shortly there will be a small circle on the road. Take a right from there. 1.5 KMs ahead on this road, one can see the Harshat Mata Temple and the Chand Baori.
The Chand Baori (The Great Step well) : There were few folks from ASI and they offered me to give a detailed tour of the place. The name of the person is Mr. Gopi and he was knowledgable about the place. At the end he did not even ask for money. But I gave him a small amount.
In Gopi's words "This place was built sometime in 8th or 9th century by Maharaja Chand. Not only this step well, but there was a whole city at this place. Later there was a flood and the complete city got synced into water and covered by mud. Many centuries later, a traveller from Jaipur convinced the Royal family to dig this place and the result was there. This step well has more than 1000 stairs and while going ip it is very difficult to remeber the path that was taken to to come down. Water used to get collected at the bottom and then there was a whole setup that used to carry the water upwards and used to work as a shower for the king."
Harshat Mata Temple: Royal family used to worship here after taking bath at the step well. 
In Gopi's words : "This temple was around 450 feet high and there used to be a lamp on the topmost point of it. An invader was returning after attacking near by places and he saw the light of the lamp. The result was, he attacked this temple, looted it and destryed everything." 
The remains of the temples have been decorated in a nice fashion around the temple.
Abhaneri, the Place : It is another example of the perfect rural India. There are many Jugads on the road in this area. I hope, it is clear what a Jugad means. :), if not, see the below pic.
