10

Resorts in Achrol

The rich heritage and architecture of Jaipur have rendered it to the name ‘Paris of India’, and Jawahar Kala Kendra is no different. It resides at the heart of this Pink City and attracts many tourists due to its cultural significance. It is en route the Jawahar Lal Nehru Marg.  The architectural design of Jawahar Kala Kendra was laid out by the renowned MIT graduate Mr Charles Correa. The structure of this building is similar in appearance to the nine grids of our solar system. The walls and high ceilings are interspersed with elegant artwork from ancient and modern times, which only adds to the aesthetic appeal of the place. Theatres of Jawahar Kala KendraThe theatre at Jawahar Kala Kendra hosts frequent performances by artists, students and scholars that make for an engaging platform of profound creativity. It is constructed out of three theatres – 1 open and two closed. Most of the youngsters come to the open theatre and perform or act out their dramas, dance forms or other culturally eloquent forms of acting. The other two theatres are called Rangayan and Krishnan. Rangayan is mostly a haven for modern plays and playwrights debuting their dramas on-stage. On the other hand, Krishnayan hosts various Rajasthani festivals inviting artists from all across India. This theatre hosts distinct performances in varying styles and outcome and a major tourist attraction of Jaipur. Kala Galleries, Exhibitions and MuseumThe Alankar Museum is one of the most popular museums in Rajasthan and is situated within the peripherals of Jawahar Kala Kendra. They have a repertoire of music that stirs the soul, artworks and sculptors decorating these galleries and museums, enhancing every instrument required to produce a masterpiece. The exhibitions held portray exquisite craftsmanship and blue pottery items available on sale.  

Appu Ghar, the recreational city of India, is situated in the backdrop of Aravali mountain range in Jaipur city. The park spreading over sprawling 300 acres offers entertainment, exhilaration, respite, and escapade. Appu Ghar is also referred to locally as “Happy Adventure” is a 2-day vacation haven, suitable for people of all ages.  Appu Ghar, the most excellent water park in Jaipur city is adrenaline on the rocks with numerous breathtaking rides and water slides. The park is developed by IAL (International Amusement Limited) and Mr. Gian Vijeshwar, considered the Father of Indian Amusement Industry, as a third venture after Rohini Amusement park and Noida Entertainment city. It encompasses picturesque villas, world-class recreational facilities, star hotels & MICE amenities, and integrated mall with global brands. A perfect outing for people to get away from the hustle-bustle of the busy metropolitan and mundane lifestyle and freak out doing what one likes best. Helicopter ride, Toy train ride, Piggy ride, Monkey bars, and trampoline keep the kids amused the whole time. Mechanical Bull Ride, ATV Rides, Bungee Trampoline, Dirt Biking, etc. sets adults’ palpitations racing and uncertainty and anxiety about capabilities peaking before each activity. Team games like Cricket Pool, Air Hockey, and Rope Courses build the spirit among the team members.Online Video Games zone with Playstation and Xbox and 24-lane Bowling alley offer unlimited hours of joy and excitement to the millennia.The scenic 9-hole golf course at Royal Golf Club spread over 58 acres with Aravali Mountains in the background offers a pleasant ambiance to enjoy the game. 

Chand Baori or Abhaneri Step Well is a stepwell located in the Abhaneri village near Jaipur which is a favoured tourist destination. With many national as well as international tourists visiting it,  Abhaneri Step Well is considered to be an architectural wonder.The stepwell is around 30m or 100ft. deep and is one of the deepest and largest step-wells in India. Stepwells are very common in Rajasthan because of its arid and dry climate. Located in the eastern dryer parts of Rajasthan, the stepwell was primarily built to store water. Not only the stepwell stores water, but it is also useful in groundwater harvesting. This marvellous and distinctive quality of Abhaneri Step Well makes it one of a kind in India.  Abhaneri Step Well is regarded amongst the most picturesque step wells in the world. The unique structural formation of the stepwell with its peculiar design has attracted a lot of attention.  The stepwell can be seen in movies like Bhool Bhulaiyaa and the internationally acclaimed ‘The Dark Knight Rises’. The beauty of Abhaneri Step Well lies in its history as the stepwell has been in existence since the 8th Century. Till date, the step is functional but not up to its total limits.  Located around 100km from the capital city of Jaipur, Chand Baori is older than some major monuments like the Taj Mahal and ancient temples like Khajurao Temples and Chola Temples.  History of Abhaneri Step Well - With its history dating back to the 8th Century, Abhaneri Step Well was built by Raja Chanda.  Raja Chanda belonged to the Nikhumba Dynasty which ruled the region for almost 400 years.  Raja Chanda had his faith in Harshat Mata, the goddess of joy and happiness. To please Harshat Mata and help the people in his kingdom, Raja Chanda built this step well. Also, there was a temple attached to the stepwell dedicated to Harshat Mata.It was partially razed in the 10th century but with time, the temple was repaired. Due to its geographical setting and climatic resolutions, the region often faced water scarcity.  To cope up with this problem, Raja Chanda started the construction of the stepwell. In its original setting,  Abhaneri Step Well was only a step well with steps leading to the bottom. In the 18th century when the Mughals invaded the region, they rebuilt the stepwell and constructed walls and built some galleries around the well.  Abhaneri Step Well houses the annual Abhaneri festival which occurs before the Sharad Navratri. The  festival is celebrated to embrace and thank Goddess Harshat Mata in a period of 3-days. During the festival, a diving competition is conducted where the young men of the village participate. Also, the step well is very popular globally that it attracts more international visitors than national.  The Harshat Temple near the stepwell is older than the stepwell and was built around the 7th century. The name of the village, Abhaneri is said to be originated from the blessings of Harshat Mata who endowed to spread brightness (abha) in the lives of the people.  The Architecture of Abhaneri Step Well -  The geometrical setting of the step well is so unique that this setting cannot be seen in modern times. Abhaneri Step Well is 100 ft deep and takes around 3,500 steps to go the bottom. The stepwell has steep steps on its three sides and the fourth side consists of galleries on two floors. The total 3,500 steps are built sideways and not straight on all three sides. The fourth side, which faces the stepwell houses some idols of Lord Ganesh and Mahisasurmardini and acts like a pavilion comprising of some wonderfully carved jharokhas. The 3,500 steps of the stepwell make it look like a magical structure and if viewed from a particular distance, they look like an optical illusion. With shadow falling on the steps and sunlight playing its game, the steps of Abhaneri Step Well give a very mystic look.  In ancient times, the step well was more than a step well. At a period in history, the stepwell housed an upper palace and the small palace thing had a few rooms. Though with the years gone by, the palace of the stepwell began to deteriorate and now only a section of it can be seen. The step well had the ancient water system and the water was used for several purposes.  This ancient form of the water storage system was disregarded by the Britishers and citing the reason that the water in Abhaneri Step Well is used for drinking as well as other reasons like bathing and washing, they installed the system of pipes and tanks. This led to the fall of the old-fashion water system in the Abhaneri village.