Agrasen Ki Baoli-Stepwell in Delhi: History, Timing, and Location

Agrasen Ki Baoli

Agrasen Ki Baoli, also known as Ugrasen Ki Baoli, is a historical monument located in the center of Delhi. This expansive stepwell, once a reservoir, is a magnificent example of ancient engineering and magnificent architecture. As one of the oldest monuments in Delhi and the city’s best-preserved stepwell, it is today a popular destination for tourists and travel photography enthusiasts. Its stone arches, desolate stairs, and motionless walls tell the story of its former grandeur and greatness. When you leave your Delhi hotel for sightseeing, Agrasen Ki Baoli is undoubtedly one of the historical buildings that you have to see.

Are you interested in knowing more about this stepwell in Old Delhi? Here’s all you need to know about Delhi’s Agrasen Ki Baoli, including its background, opening hours, entry prices, and other fascinating facts

Agrasen ki Baoli Information:

Location	Hailey Road, New Delhi
Type	Stepwell
Also Known as	Ugrasen ki Baoli
Timings	7:00 am to 6:00 pm; every day
Entry Fee	Free
Still/Video Camera	Free
Nearest Metro Stations	Janpath (Violet Line), Barakhamba (Blue Line), Rajiv Chowk (Blue and Yellow Lines)
Architectural Style	Hindu
Commissioned by	Maharaja Agrasen
Year of Construction	Originally built during the reign of Maharaja Agrasen and rebuilt in the 14th century
Dimensions	60 meters (length) x 15 meters (width)
Material Used	An assortment of rocks and stones
Status	A protected monument under the aegis of the Archeological Survey of India
Best Time to Visit	Morning hours

Agrasen ki Baoli: History

There are unclear historical records as to when and who got the very beautiful Agrasen Ki Baoli constructed. However, many historians believe that it was built around the Mahabharata period by none other than Maharaja Agrasen, the famous king of Agroha. He uses the word baoli, or stepwell. Subsequently, in the fourteenth century, the Agrawal community—considered to be the successors of Maharaja Agrasen—rebuilt it. The architectural features of the stepwell suggest that it was rebuilt by the Tughlaq (1321–1414) or Lodhi (1451–1526) dynasties under the rule of Delhi.

Ugrasen Ki Baoli was constructed as a community center in addition to being a water storage facility. It is believed that women used to gather at this well in the past, and the cool environment of the baoli made it the ideal place for them to relax and spend time away from the intense heat outside. The arched chambers of the baoli were also used for various religious rituals and events.

Agrasen ki Baoli Architecture

The architectural style of Ugrasen’s Baoli is distinctive and elaborate. It is 60 meters long and 15 meters wide. Various types of rocks and rubble masonry were used to build the entire building. The rectangular design of the stepwell distinguishes it from other stepwells in Delhi, which were constructed as circular water reservoirs. It extends to three clear levels, all of which have beautiful, symmetrical arched niches at the sides. Agrasen Ki Baoli is one of the rare stairs in Delhi. The descent to the water level involves more than 100 steps, and the temperature can drop as you descend.Ok.

There is a round well at the northern end of this stepwell. It has a diameter of eight meters and is dry for most of the year. When filled with water during the monsoon season, the water level rises by about 4 or 5 feet. The iron grill keeps people away from the well so that they do not fall into the water intentionally or accidentally. Shafts also connect it to the rectangular passage. Due to an increase in the water level of the stepwell, the channel gets filled with water.

There is a modest mosque on the south-west corner of the Agrasen Ki Baoli complex. The entrance of the mosque is made up of three arches. Four pillars made of sandstone support these arches; one of them had fallen long ago. The ornate structures on these pillars add to the aesthetic appeal of the overall structure.

Agrasen ki Baoli: A Haunted Place in Delhi

It is rumored that the reservoir contained mysterious black water that prompted people to jump into it and end their lives. As you walk down the stairs towards the water, it feels as if some invisible force is asking you to enter this abyss of destruction and you are hypnotized and drawn towards it. Whether any of this is true or not can only be determined by exploring the place, but Argasen Ki Baoli is often counted among the top haunted places in Delhi.

Agrasen ki Baoli: Today

Argasen Ki Baoli, also known as Ugrasen Ki Baoli, is one of those tourist places in Delhi that combines architectural design, historical significance, and even the excitement of paranormal activity. Due to its appearance in many Bollywood films, this stepwell has attracted a lot of attention in recent years. The Archaeological Survey of India currently protects the stepwell as a monument (ASI). The monument is located about 1.5 km from two of Delhi’s best shopping destinations: Janpath Market and Connaught Place.

Things to See in the Agrasen ki Baoli Complex

Agrasen ki Baoli may not boast a huge complex, but it definitely has a few structures and attractions that are worth exploring, including:

• The covered well
• The small mosque
• The arched alcoves lining the stepwell

Lesser-known facts about Agrasen ki Baoli

• Delhi once had more than 100 stepwells of which only around 10 remain today. Agrasen ki Baoli is one of them.
• The baoli was the location for a few sequences from hit Bollywood movies like PK, starring Aamir Khan, Sultan, starring Salman Khan, and Mom, starring Sridevi.
• A photo-shoot of Formula One models was done at this location in 2012.
• In its structure and style, Agrasen ki Baoli resembles the stepwells in Rajasthan and Gujarat.

Attractions near Agrasen ki Baoli

• Jantar Mantar(1.4 km)
• Janpath Market (1.5 km)
• Bangla Sahib Gurudwara (1.7 km)
• National Museum (2.0 km)
• Connaught Place (2.5 km)
• Birla Temple (3.6 km)
• Parliament House (2.7 km)
• Rashtrapati Bhawan (3.1 km)
• Khooni Darwaza (3.5 km)
• Gandhi Smriti (3.8 km)
• Delhi Zoo (3.8 km)
• Humayun’s Tomb (5.5 km)

After exploring Agrasen Ki Baoli, continue exploring the neighborhood’s many restaurants and food stands to sample some of Delhi’s best street cuisine.

but that’s not all. Spice Route (1 mi), Indian Coffee House, Connaught Place (1.5 km), Tamasha (1.5 km), and Parikrama – The Revolving Restaurant (1.6 km) are some of the famous eateries near Agrasen Ki Baoli. Above all, remember to travel back in time and capture some visually stunning images at the stepwell for your Instagram account.