Weekend getaway from Jaipur · #5 of 10
Bhangarh & Abhaneri
A day of the eerie and the exquisite: Chand Baori's 3,500-step, 13-storey stepwell at Abhaneri, then the ruined temples and bazaar street of Bhangarh, India's famously 'haunted' fort. Entry is strictly sunrise to sunset.
Head east of Jaipur for a stellar day trip pairing two of Rajasthan's coolest curiosities: Chand Baori, an 8th-9th century geometric stepwell with 3,500 dizzying steps down 13 storeys, and Bhangarh, the ruined 17th-century fort town legendary as 'India's most haunted place'. Both are budget-friendly, compact, and an easy drive in broad daylight.
Getting there
Cruise 95 km out to Abhaneri first, then tack on another 30 km to reach Bhangarh - just brace for a bumpy, unpaved stretch over the final 2 km.
Day 1 - Saturday
Mind-bending ancient geometry meets India's most famous ghost town- 17:00 AMDrive
Drive Jaipur to Abhaneri
Hit the Agra highway for an easy two-hour cruise, peeling off near Sikandra into the sleepy village of Abhaneri in Dausa district.
Tip · Beat the heat by hitting the road early - both spots are completely open to the elements with virtually zero shade.
- 29:00 AMSight
Chand Baori stepwell
Prepare to be mesmerized by Raja Chanda's 8th-9th century marvel: 3,500 symmetrical steps plunging 13 storeys (30 m down) in hypnotic diamond patterns, framed by an ornate royal pavilion.
📍 Chand Baori, Abhaneri
Tip · You cannot climb down the steps, but the ASI perimeter walkway offers insane photo angles from every single corner.
- 310:15 AMSight
Harshat Mata Temple
Right next door sits this 7th-8th-century sanctuary to the goddess of joy. Though ruined by invaders, its intricate carved pillars and scattered stone sculptures remain gorgeous across the terraced platform.
📍 Harshat Mata Temple, Abhaneri
- 411:15 AMDrive
Drive Abhaneri to Bhangarh
Roll through 30 km of rustic countryside skirting the edge of Sariska towards Gola ka Baas, with a bumpy final 2 km unpaved stretch leading up to the fort.
- 512:15 PMFood
Dhaba lunch near the fort gate
Fuel up on comforting dal-roti and steaming chai at rustic roadside stalls near the gates. This is your only dining spot out here, so keep it simple and make sure you bring plenty of drinking water.
- 61:00 PMSight
Bhangarh fort town walk
Wander Raja Madho Singh's 17th-century ghost town: explore the eerie Jauhari Bazar, Nachan ki Haveli, and crumbling gateways of a once-thriving city cursed into ruin by a spurned sorcerer.
📍 Bhangarh Fort, Bhangarh
Tip · Take the legends seriously - ASI strictly enforces sunrise-to-sunset hours, and staying inside after dark is totally forbidden.
- 72:30 PMSight
Gopinath Temple and the royal palace
Marvel at the fort's best-preserved gem, a yellow-stone temple on a 14-foot plinth, then trek up to the royal palace ruins for epic panoramic views over ancient banyans, shrines, and the rugged Aravallis.
📍 Gopinath Temple, Bhangarh
Tip · The local langurs are cheeky opportunists - stash all snacks and drinks securely inside your bag.
- 84:00 PMFood
Chai before the road
Grab one final cup of piping-hot cutting chai at the entrance stalls just as magical golden-hour light washes over the ancient stone ruins.
- 94:30 PMDrive
Drive back to Jaipur
Wind your way back to Jaipur via Dausa in about 2.5 hours, leaving the fort comfortably ahead of its strict sundown closing curfew.
Where to eat
Crispy tandoori parathas, comforting dal-roti, and sweet chai make the ultimate road fuel - fill up along NH21 before or after touring, since on-site food is nonexistent.
Do not drive past Dausa on the return leg without pulling over at a local mithai shop for fresh, decadent milk sweets (mawa).
When to go
The prime window to visit without melting in the sun - just pack a light jacket or fleece for those brisk early-morning departure temperatures.
Brutally hot and unforgiving. If you are braving it, hit Chand Baori right at opening gate-drop and definitely avoid Bhangarh during midday heat.
Ultra-atmospheric as the Aravalli hills turn lush emerald and streams trickle - just watch your footing on slick ancient stones.
Good to know
- Respect the curfew: Bhangarh is strictly open sunrise to sunset, so skip any midnight ghost-hunting ambitions unless you want trouble with the guards.
- Pack like a pro: neither spot has fancy amenities, so bring plenty of water, high-SPF sunscreen, and enough cash for ticket counters.
- Timing is everything: hit the stepwell early for crisp morning shadows, then reach the fort in the afternoon to catch that gorgeous golden-hour glow.
