Every year Jaipur – the Pink City sees a huge influx of Indians and International who come to glimpse the royalty of a bygone era. Jaipur has various enchanting historical sites that mesmerize everyone who comes here. From intricate carvings to exquisite paintings, everything makes this city unique. Panna Meena Kund is a hidden gem of Jaipur as most tourists move to Amber Palace. You must include this picturesque place in your itinerary when you are coming to Jaipur. This stepwell was made around the 16th century. Its dazzling architecture and maze-like illusion of stairs will leave you spellbound.
According to local legend, the stairs that are used to go down cannot be used to go up.
I was mesmerized to see its beauty when I stepped into Panna Meena ka Kund. The ultimate stepwell of Panna Meena ka Kund is a little hidden gem of Jaipur that witnesses several footfalls yearly. When tourists explore Amer Fort then they do not forget to step into this beautiful stepwell. On one side of this Stepwell is an attractive Jaigarh Fort while on the other side the natural beauty of mountains. The stairs are in a criss-cross pattern, which attracts everyone, and is the main reason why people come here to explore this place and spend some quality time here. Entry is free here, but you have to pay some money if you want to walk down the stairs, I didn’t walk down the stepwell stairs because I didn’t want to pay extra money to guards.
So fasten your seatbelts tightly and enjoy reading this complete guide to Panna Meena ka Kund.
History of Panna Meena Ka Kund
Stepwells are nothing new to Rajasthan, as half of its land lies in the desert so step wells are considered a great way to collect water. This stepwell was built in the 16th century to collect monsoon rains. At that time, Amer was the capital of Rajput Kachwaha before Jaipur. Many locals suggest that Panna Meena ka Kund was built so that the people of Amer could collect water for their chores. Women also came here to fill water in utensils for household and work and it was also a meeting place for them: A place to gossip and learn about each other’s lives. Moreover, Panna Meena Kund was a resting place for many travelers – traders and saints – as the temperature inside the stepwell was quite cool.
The Architecture of Panna Meena Ka Kund
The architecture of Panna Meena ka Kund is breathtaking, it’s a square-shaped stepwell, with stairs all around it. Hundreds of zig-zag stairs made like a maze will automatically fascinate you. The geometric stairs of the stepwell are a stunning combination of simple Indian engineering and architectural beauty beholding them you will surprised. This place offers a symmetrical arrangement of criss-cross stairs, built-in doors, and octagonal gazebos. When you visit here, you might learn about the history of Rajasthan.
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Best Time to Visit Panna Meena Ka Kund
If you’re traveling to Rajasthan during the winter season (October-February) then it will always provide you better experience as the temperature is cool and you can enjoy here without any hassle. This way you can avoid crowds and heat. Plus you get nice soft lighting on the stairs. One can reach here anytime in the morning, afternoon, or evening.
If you want your photos to be perfect and Instagrammable then 4 to 5 PM is a good time. And if we talk about Summer, then the best time is from 7 to 9 in the morning and 5 to 7 in the evening. During the Monsoon season, when there is greenery all around and the stepwell is filled with water, the sight is truly worth seeing.
How to Reach Panna Meena Ka Kund
Panna Meena Kund is only a short walk (1 km) from the Amber Fort, so I would recommend after visiting Amber Fort you can head to this breathtaking site.
Uber: If you want to reach Panna Meena Kund from Central Jaipur, the easiest way is to travel by Uber. I would highly recommend taking Uber instead of tuk-tuk as the price is fixed and cheaper.
Bus: You can also go there by bus which is a very cheap mode and after seeing Amber Palace you can reach Panna Meena Kund either on foot or by tam-tam.
Taxi: You can hire a driver to take you around many of the city’s major attractions for a day rate. Since this place is usually left out of the itinerary, make sure to visit this step well in advance.
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Entry Fee and Timings of Panna Meena Ka Kund
Since this stepwell is located in Amber you can easily reach here after visiting Amber Palace. Entry is free here and opening time starts from 6 AM to 7 PM.
Nearby Attractions
Lakshmi Narayan Bihari Temple
A beautiful ancient temple overlooking the stepwell is known as Lakshmi Narayan Bihari Ji Temple. It was built during the reign of King Jai Singh I. This temple used to be an active place of worship and had idols of Lakshmi Narayan but now it is not used for worship. Still, this temple stands with the same pride and attracts people’s attention. You can spend some quality time here with yourself or your loved ones.
Ambikeshwar Temple
If you want to visit another Hindu temple near Panna Meena Kund then you can visit the Ambikeshwar Temple. This temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It was built by King Ambika, a Meena King. According to a legend, the King found an idol of Lord Shiva buried under the ground here and then decided to build this temple.
Anokhi Museum of HandPrinting
Anokhi Museum was established in the 1970s which promotes the oldest art of Rajasthan. This museum is a must-visit for craft and block print lovers. This museum houses the world’s best block-printing costumes. Here you will get to know detailed details about fabric quality, details of print, and others. You can visit this museum and get to know how printing works and buy some products for you from the souvenir shop at the museum.
Due to its simplicity, symmetry, and architecture, Panna Meena Kund is a must-visit tourist destination in Jaipur. This is the most accessible and attractive stepwell in Jaipur. You can click stunning photos at this location. There are stairs on only three sides, and four octagonal pavilions, known as chhatirs, at each of the four corners. So there is enough space to relax, chat, or simply behold the surreal views of the surroundings.
The most pleasant thing about this Panna Meena Ka Kund is that the beautiful views of the famous Amber Fort are visible from the terrace of this stepwell. It is also a great place for event photography. Apart from this, this stepwell has also gained a lot of popularity due to various Bollywood films being shot here.
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