An Icon of Love in Sands – Rani ki Vav

In 2014 this magnificent structure rising from deep down the earth, got global attention when the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization ( UNESCO ) tagged Rani ki Vav as a World Heritage Site. It is one of the 4 UNESCO World Heritage sites in Gujarat. Another feature that attracted attention is that Rani-ki-Vav has been featured in the 100 Rupees Note of the new series.

Rani-ki-Vav : The Stairwell

Rani ki Vav is a stairwell that runs deep inside the earth surface. Since the Gujarat region comes under arid climatic conditions, such stairwells came to rescue by providing water needs. It is one of the world’s oldest water harvesting technique. Apart from this, what makes Rani-ki-Vav different is that it also served celebration and grandeur purposes. To accomplish these tasks, it is intricately engraved and detailings are found everywhere. The artwork talks of the tales of the talents of its makers.

Rani ki Vav stairwell is situated on the banks of Saraswati river, mightiest of all as mentioned in the Rig Veda ( the oldest text ). However the river is said to be subsided beneath the earth. It is located in the arid and semi-arid region of Patan in Gujarat.

Historical Background

The Rani ki Vav stands as a tribute from Queen Udayamati to his husband King Bhima Ist of the Solanki Dynasty. Bhima Ist was the son Mularaja, the founder of Solanki Dynasty of Anahilwada. It is for the same reason that the stairwell is called as the Queen’s Step-Well. It was very unusual for those times since Queen Udayamati did not practised Sati ( a custom performed in ancient and medieval times when a wife sacrifices herself in pyre along with her dead husband ) but instead to chose to build a memorial. As the Tajmahal i known for the King Shahjahan’s love for her wife Mumtazmahal, Rani-ki-Vav is renowned for the love of Queen Udayamati for her husband Bhima Ist.

This fact is verified from the composition of a Jain scholar Prabadha-chintamani , “Merutunda” in 1304 A.D. that Queen Udayamati built a step-well in the capital.

Architecture of the Stair-well

While you descend into the stairwell you will definitely fell like taking a trip in medieval times. It seems an alternate reality one goes through. The vav is made in the Maru-Gurjara architectural style. Generally vavs are made in 4 different styles – Vijaya, Jaya, Nandi and Bhadra. This vav is made in nandi style that means there is only one way for both entrance and exit. The vav is a seven storey structure. It measures 64 metres in length, 20 metres in width and 27 metres in depth. The fourth level is the deepest of all. This fourth level leads into a rectangular tank for surplus water storage purpose that measures 9.5 m x 9.4m x 23m. There is a well in the western end which in 30 metres deep and has a shaft which is 10 metres in diametre. The Rani ki Vav Stairwell is an inverted temple. Hence it served two purposes – water supply during drought seasons and ritualistic functions.This vav is known for precise detailings and carvings of various art forms. Various carvings that are found here include – . These are pretty much similar to the detailings of the Sun Temple of Modhera, buiilt by Solanki Dynasty only, hence the marked similarity. Some of the sculptures are in well condition whereas some have been distorted. There are missing limbs or facial features in some of them. But the main theme the sculptures is Lord Vishnu and his avatars. At the very top of these steps there is a section of column that is believed to be remains of the Kirti-toran. Kirti Toran means a ceremonial entrance that has been decorated. This is found at the entrance. The carved female figurines on the wall are depicted in various poses of Apsaras, Nagakanyas, Yoginis, etc.

The vav is made up of soft sandstone but still its engineering excellence made it survive more than 900 years. The sandstone used in construction were brought from a place in Saurashtra about 200 kilometres away from Patan.

The stones are made to stand together through interlocking system of the rocks. There are two types interlocking system that are found here. One type is the dogtail interlocking where the two stones are joined by a wooden shaft in between. When the water pours during monsoon season these shafts help stones no to dislocate. This is generally found in the stairs. Another one is male-female interlocking system where upper stone column is fitted in the hole of lower broad stone column. This type of interlicking is seen in the pillar colums. The interlocking engineering make the vav buffer to earthquake shocks. This is the reason not a single piece was dislocated depite shaking in the 2001 Bhuj Earthquakes.

The Patan-Patola style of saree which is very famous worldwide is said to derive the pattern from one of the wall carvings of this vav.

According to a folklore, the water of the stairwell is considered magical by the local people. It is believed that the water cures diseases due to medicinal herbs found in there. During the monsoons the entire Vav is flooded. Many years ago, in a similar event the vav got flooded by Sabarmati river waters. It was only in 1980 that it was evacuated by Archaeological Survey of India.

How To Reach

Patan is at a distance of about 125 kilometres from Ahmedabad. You can either take bus or a private car. An inter-city bus run that take about 3-3.5 hours for the convenience of the visitors. There are a couple of passenger trains running as well. Rani ki Vav remains opens every day from 8 A.M. to 6 P.M. The best time to visit is between October and March. It is advisable to enter through the eastern end and walk through the well maintained lawns to the structure. From this end you can enjoy the beauty of the architecture and glimpse of the water level at the westernmost end. You can book ticket by Clicking Here.

Nearby Attractions you must Pay Visit

Sahastralinga Pond and Rudra Mahalaya: Thsese were built by Siddharaj Jayasingh. Sahastralinga pond is a water reservoir. It is named as such due to presence of 1000 lingas along the banks. Now only few have their remains. Rudra Mahalaya is an ancient temple that was destroyed during an attack of Allaudin Khilji.