तूरजी का झालरा बावड़ी

Toorji Ka Jhalra Bavdi

Useful Information

photography — Toorji Ka Jhalra Bavdi, Rajasthan, India. Public Domain.

Location:	Makrana Mohalla, Sutharo Ka Bass Rd, Gulab Sagar, Jodhpur, Rajasthan 342001. (26.297126, 73.023075)
Open:	no restrictions. [2023]
Fee:	free. [2023]
Classification:	Stepwell
Light:	n/a
Dimension:
Guided tours:	self guided
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	no
Bibliography:
Address:	Toorji Ka Jhalra Bavdi, Makrana Mohalla, Sutharo Ka Bass Rd, Gulab Sagar, Jodhpur, Rajasthan 342001, India.
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

1740s	built by the queen-consort of Maharaja Abhay Singh.
2019	Red Bull features Toorji's stepwell in a cliff jumping event.

Description

तूरजी का झालरा बावड़ी (Toorji Ka Jhalra Bavdi, Toorji’s Step Well) is the city’s most impressive stepwell and a relic of Jodhpur’s architectural history. It is also called Jodhpur Stepwell, which is obviously easier for foreign tourists. The stepwell was built on the order of the Queen of Marwar, the wife of Maharaja Abhay Singh Rathore (1724-1749) in the early 1740s. At this time female members of the Royal families, especially the Queens, often headed projects to build public water works. Later it was filled in and was gone for some time. Some time ago the rubbish was removed and the stairs were restored.

This stepwell has a design with stairs on three sides, and a sort of facade on the fourth. The site is deep, the stairs are steep and narrow. The site is accessible without any restrictions and for free. Other sites are closed during the night, but it seems this one becomes more popular after sunset and is in some way illuminated.

The locals are quite happy about the stepwell, and so there are cafés and hotels surrounding it, which were named after it. Many shops, restaurants, and cafés actually popped up after the renovation as a result of the increased number of visitors. The most popular café, the Stepwell Café, actually has a balcony which offers a great view. The well has become Jodhpur’s unofficial local swimming pool, frequented by children and some adults.

The well was built of red sandstone. The walls have intricate carvings of dancing elephants, medieval lions, cow waterspouts, and niches with various deities. The well is more than 60 m deep, in other words, the surface of the lake is 60 m below ground. Its quite deep too, as Red Bull featured Toorji's stepwell in a cliff jumping event in 2019.