Khuni Bhandara, Burhanpur - Timings, History, Best Time to Visit

At a distance of 2 km from Burhanpur Railway Station, Khuni Bhandara or Kundi Bhandara is a unique underground water management structure located in Burhanpur, Madhya Pradesh. Situated in Sultanpur, it is one of the amazing historical monuments in Burhanpur.

Khuni Bhandara is a unique water supply system that was built in 1615 by Abdul Rahim Khankhana, the Subedar of Burhanpur during the reign of Akbar and Jahangir. It was built to provide drinking water for his soldiers and the people of the city. This underground water system was built with the help of Persian geologist Arkbul ArzIn. It has been declared as a state-protected structure by the State Directorate of Archaeology, Archives, and Museums.

Spread over an area of 0.340 hectares, the structure is a historical engineering marvel of immense importance because of its unique features and structural perfection. The structure includes several small ponds that were constructed in various parts to collect water. The water was transported to the pond at Shaniwara Dwar in Burhanpur city through an underground canal built with limestone at a depth of 80 or 100 feet below the ground. The water from this pond was then supplied to the palaces, Masjids, and residences of common people again using underground pipes. The water that used to seep into these canals was pure. The water coming through the underground canal turned red hence this water system was also called Khuni Bhandara.

In the Kundi Bhandara, initially there were 101 kundis but only 32 kundis are there now. Visitors can also go into the underground canal in these coils through a lift. Though the system is not fully in use presently, the structure is still functional and serves high-quality drinking water to a portion of Burhanpur. This unique underground water management structure of the Mughal era is eyeing the tag of UNESCO world heritage site.

Timings: 10 AM - 5 PM

Entry: Free