Recently 'UGRASEN KI BAOLI'- the inimitable and splendid 12th or 13th century architectural marvel has been elevated to the status of a social hot spot on the tourist circuit in Delhi. Thanks to the coverage it received in the movie PK. A coincidence, we happened to visit this place about a month before its renewed claim to fame through the film.
Well, it has always been a hot spot of sorts. A few facts about the monument first.
What is it exactly?
1. A Baoli is a step well. These underground structures were built as a practice by kings and rulers in ancient times to collect rain water,to ensure year round availability of water, keeping in mind the fluctuations in monsoon.
2. This particular Baoli is said to have been built by Raja Ugrasen, the forefather of the Agrawal community , around the13th century.
3. This marvel in stone comprises a huge 15 metre wide well and a multi-tiered flight of steps that leads to the well. The steps are flanked on either side by thick walls and a series of arched corridors.
4. The entire structure is 60 meters long, is said to have been made from rubble and stone, stands erect having withstood the ravages of harsh weather and human neglect alike.
We visited this Baoli owing to our penchant for visiting off beat places of archaeological importance, we try hunting for off beat spots, especially so that our children get to see the heritage bequeathed by our ancestors.
We discovered, the Baoli has its regular set of loyal visitors (even before its PK fame), the place was teeming with youngsters and families alike. Everybody wants to tread along the path less frequented by traffic and bustling noise, I guess.
This is a picture taken from the base of the well, which can be accessed from a narrow corridor connecting the the lowest flight of steps to the well. Its proud inhabitants today are bats. The creatures must be finding the Baoli an abode of relief, (a very few places of calm remaining in the city now).
What really came as a pleasant surprise was not just how well kept the Baoli was, but also its surroundings that were devoid of any litter which forms an unavoidable part of any tourist spot.
A lone ice cream vendor stood there, against the backdrop of beautifully coloured walls;Modern kitsch art adorning them, I couldn't help but capture the view on my phone cam. Even if we continue to keep the place intact and clean, it would be homage enough to a site so splendid.
To reach Ugrasen ki Baoli, you could simply take an auto rickshaw from Connaught Place. For those who like a bit of fun and adventure or would like to experience the cool side of Delhi-you could take the metro to Mandi house station and walk from there to Hailey Road, where the beauty of yester years nestles calmly between the cultural and political hubs of Delhi. the Jantar-Mantar is also very close to the Baoli.
Happy sightseeing in Delhi folks.
No comments:
Post a Comment