Champa Baoli & Hammam Ghar - History, Timings & Entry Fee

At a distance of 1.5 km from Mandu Bus Stand, Champa Baoli is an ancient stepwell located inside the Mandu Fort in Mandu, Madhya Pradesh. Situated to the northwest of Jahaz Mahal, it is one of the best places to visit in Mandu.

Champa Baoli is a construction that stands in the midst of the Jahaz Mahal complex depicting the past. A part of the Royal Group of Monuments, it is an extensively constructed stepwell that was very much inspired by the styles of the Turkish bath. This place was named Champa Baoli because the aroma of the waters was believed to resemble that of the Champa flower. The place is a must-visit for all tourists roaming in Mandu.

It is an epitome of Mughal architecture. The vaulted rooms or Taikhanas were well connected to keep the bath remained cool during extreme high temperatures. The structures of the chambers in the cellars built inside this stepwell are like a maze. Lower ground levels have very narrow passages to go to. One of them is connected to the Munj Pond through a corridor leading to the pavilion on the western side. The walls inside this basement are arched. In the middle of these walls are the stairs leading to the lower floor of the stepwell. Proper management of air and light was also done at the time of construction of Champa Baoli.

One can marvel at the engineers of that time and their skills. This stepwell was built not only for water management but also to avoid enemy attacks at that time. In the event of an invasion, the women of the royal family living here used to jump into this stepwell, passing through the basements through the secret passages built into it.

There is also a Turkish-style Royal Hamam or hot bath and was used by the royals. It consists of three rooms of which two are still in good condition and one is destroyed. Its ceiling is decorated with beautiful stars that have been cut for light giving the appearance of twinkling stars shining in the sky around the full moon even in the daytime. There is a provision of hot and cold water connected with the underground rooms.

Timings: 6 AM - 7 PM

Entry: Rs. 25 for Indians & Rs. 100 for Foreigners, Rs. 25 for Video