Chand Baori (Stepwell) in Abhaneri Village, Rajasthan, India :

Chand Baori is said to be named after a local ruler of Nikumbh dynasty called Raja Chanda.  However, no epigraphic evidence has been found regarding the construction of the Chand Baori or adjoining Harshat Mata Temple (goddess of joy and happiness for village; dated 9th-10th Century AD). Based on similarities in style and carvings with the terraced temples of Paranagar and  Mandore, Baori can be dated to 8th-9th Century AD. It was likely constructed before the temple.  According to Morna Livingston in Steps to Water: The Ancient Stepwells of India, Chand Baori is one of the few stepwells that has "two classical periods of water building in a single setting".

It was built by King Chanda of the Nikumbha Dynasty in 9th Century AD. One of the largest stepwells in the world, Chand Baori was built to conserve water and provide a respite from the intense heat. It was a community gathering place for locals as well as royals. The oldest parts of the step-well date from 8th Century onwards. An upper palace building was added to site, which is viewed from tabulated arches used by Chauhan rulers. Now, it extends 30m into the ground, making it one of the deepest and largest stepwells in India.

Chand Baori is a deep four-sided well with a large temple located in back of well. Basic architectural aspects of the monumental well consist of a long corridor of steps leading to 5-6 stories below ground level which can be seen at the site. Chand Baori consists of 3500 narrow steps over 13 stories. Rajasthan is extremely arid and design and final structure of Chand Baori were intended to conserve as much water as possible. It's exquisite diamond-setting geometry of the cascading steps on three sides and image of Sheshasayee Vishnu reclining on serpent Ananta. This baori or stepwell has been constructed in an upside-down pyramid-style.

Classical Indian texts on architecture (Vastu) like  Aparajitapriccha or Vishvakarma's Vastushastra call this design a  Vijay Vapi. Baori has double flights of steps on each of its ten landings on all three sides. On the fourth side, to north, is a pillared corridor of many stories. This wall at north contains two projected offsets to house a niche in each of them. These two niches serve as shrines, right one houses deity Ganesha while left one has an image of Mahishasuramardini. Ganesha shrine is crowned with chaitya having a female dancer and her attendant carved over it. There are many other dancing figures and attendants carved around this structure. On upper section, carvings depicting Uma-Maheshwara and Simhavahini Durga can be seen in small nimodifications, repairs, reconstructions since its construction as it was in continuous use till late medieval period. 

The stepwell underwent many changes for both beautification and better utitlity. A pillared verandah on all four sides seems to be a later addition. There is also a small room, Anderi Ujala, which was a spot to draw water with some traditional pulley-like equipment. Ancient Indian scriptures made references to construction of wells, canals, tanks and dams and their efficient operation and maintenance. This site combined many of these operations to allow for easy access to local water. At the bottom of well, air remains 5-6 °C cooler than at the surface, and Chand Baori was used as a community gathering place for locals during periods of intense heat. One side of well has a haveli pavilion and resting room for the royals.

The stepwell, served multiple purposes alongside drawing water and playing a significant role in religious or ceremonial activities. Pilgrims are said to have found comfort in quenching their thirst and finding a resting spot at the steps of Chand Baori after their long travels.

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