Standing next to the amazing Abhaneri Stepwell, this gem of a temple is so well worth a visit too. It is absolutely ancient, over a thousand years old I think, but it is in remarkable condition. A Holy man sits in the inner sanctum offering blessings. You are free to enter and to wandercariund this absolute delight.

The temple is dedicated to a goddess named Harshat Mata, it was built in the early 9th century, shortly after the construction of the adjoining Chand Baori stepwell. When we visited the temple, the temperature was more than 46 degrees Centigrade. It was very painful to go bare foot inside the temple and wear the shoes again, but the Goddess gives power to do so. We were surprised to see the Pujari sitting and serving the devotees in in the very hot summer. The temple is ruined by Muslim invaders in the past and only some parts of the main shrine now survive. Most of the carved stones are lying there and most of the sculptures have been shifted to the museums in Amber and Jaipur.

The Harshat Mata Temple is literally a two – minute walk from the Chand Baori. As I entered it from the iron gate, I noticed the information about the temple mentioned on an Archaeological Survey of India board. The engraved pillars have excellent art on them. Good religious sculptures depicting life scenes can be seen on the Harshat Mata Temple mandap. Even today, despite the temple being destroyed by Islamic invaders, the locals have marvellous faith in the resident deity. During my visit, I saw the physical fragments of the temple but the consolidated conviction of the devotees. My last memory of the Harshat Mata Temple is also of the sight from the courtyard – new fields, little houses, restricted village streets, and the Sun portraying its mischief.