Panna Meena ka Kund Jaipur

By Prateek Nayak | 2021

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1. Entrance to Panna Meena Kund. It is behind Amer fort. It is a 200 feet deep step-well. A Shiv Mandir is part of the complex. Baoris are an earlier form of water-harvesting, very popular in Rajasthan and Gujarat. Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Hamp in Karnataka and Kerala have them too.

2. “Panna Meena ka Kund is a square-shaped stepwell, with adjoining stairs on all four sides and a room on the northern wall. It’s believed this room was used for religious ceremonies before weddings or on popular festival dates.” It has 1800 steps. The kund is situated in Amer town.

3. It is an 8 storey step-well. It was also a place for women, who came to collect water, to chat. It is unlikely to be older than the 11th century, some day it is 400 years old. Chand-Baori was made 9-10th. Stairs are in a criss-cross pattern. Interesting is ‘the steps that take you down cannot take you back up.’

4. World famous Chand-Baori or Step-well. There is nothing in the world like this. Made 8-9th century. To see album https://www.esamskriti.com/a/Rajasthan/Chand-Baori-Stepwell-Jaipur.aspx

5. There are 4 Chhatris on each corner of the kund (you see one in centre). Behind kund is Ambikeshwar Mahadev Temple. Most Hindu temples were built close to water-bodies or source.

6. Step-well Kerala. This is the Sri Subramanya Temple in Peralassery, Kannur. To see album https://www.esamskriti.com/a/Kerala/Stepwell-Kannur-Peralasherry-Temple-Kerala.aspx

7. In Mandav (Mandu) near Indore, Madhya Pradesh found many step-wells and kunds. Some kunds were next to what are mosques today. You see 2 step-wells called Ujala & Andheri Baodi. This is Ujala Baodi because it opens to the sky.

8. We now enter the temple. Pillars are without design. You get a good view of Amer Fort from here. It is close to the temple museum and Jagat Shiromani Mandir.

9. This round open to the sky Mandapam design reminded me of the Kopeshwar Temple near Kolhapur.

10. Note sculptures in Kolhapur temple Mandapam. Pic by Saibal C. To see album https://www.esamskriti.com/a/Maharashtra/Kopeshwar-Temple-Khidrapur,-Kolhapur.aspx

11. Temple entrance.

12. Shikhar view.

13. Temple dome. Very good link on the Anokhi Museum that tells about the history of block-printing. https://jaipurthrumylens.com/2019/11/08/anokhi-museum-jaipur/

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