RANI KI VAV

RANI KI VAV

(UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE)

"You don't stumble upon your heritage. It's there, just waiting to be explored and shared. "

Robbie Robertson

 

 The magnificent step well is believed to have been constructed by udaymati the queen bhimdeva-1 (AD 1022-1063) son of mularaja the founder of solanki dynasty of anhilwada patan in the last quarter of 11th century AD.

The vav measuring about 64 meter long, 26 meter wide and 27 meter deep, is laid out in the east west direction seven storeyed pavillion.A drawn well and a large tank for collecting surplus water is must have been one of the largest and the most sumptuous structure of its kind.This vav was build to to store rain water and easy utilization with the help of its unique structure.

After independance rani ki vav came into the custody of archaeological survey of india and was declared as protected monument of national importance in the year 2014.This vav was inscribed as the unesco world heritage site.

This stepwell was the buried for the centuries and suffered damage in past due to negligence and flood in the river  Saraswati  till 1960's. Nobody knew that there existed  the  most ornate and highly sculptured vav. At this time, the vav  was completely  filled up except the top.

Archaeological  survey of india started  excavation here in 1958.The painstalking efforts of archaeological survey of india exposed the hidden treasures of sculptural and architectural wealth in its original dimension and splendor through careful excavation,  desilting   and removal of debris the loose sculptures, architectural members and stores fallen in the vav where lifted and set right in their position.

Befitting its name,the rani ki vav is now considered to be the queen among the stepwells of india.

HOW TO REACH THERE

BY ROAD: Intercity buses(ST) from ahmedabad take 3.5 hours and 1 hour from  mehsana.You will find jeeps ,EECO etc but journey will not comfortable .When you reach patan there will not availibility of cabs like uber,ola etc,you have to take auto and it will charge 40 from ST stand of patan.

BY RAIL: Train can take you upto mehsana from there you have to go by road discussed above.

BY AIR:  Nearest airport is ahmedabad airport. 

MAP

ENTRY FEES

40   rup/person for Indian citizens
600 rup/person for foreigners

WHAT KIND OF PLACE IS IT?

This place is very calm and peaceful with beautiful garden and green trees. If you want to spend some quality time or want peaceful environment, this place is best for you.Here you will not find any food stall around it but there were many restaurants in the distance of 2 km.

There is a new built museum called patan museum, in which you will come to find very  brief information about history of patan and related other cities like siddhapur, unjha. In this musium there are samples of famous Patola of patan and Masharu cloth to see.

SAHASTRA LING LAKE

When ever we talk about rani ni vav, How can we forget Sahastra ling lake, a lake build in the solanki dynasty to solve the water shortage problem.There is also a story after making of this lake which you can find on wikipedia.

                                                                            

FAMOUS SCULPTURES OF RANI KI VAV

The architectural brilliance and elegance of the vav is represented in its pristine glory in the ornamental work. The beautifully reportioned sculptures of gracefully and excellently carved Mahisasurmardini parvati and other Shiva sculptures,Vishnu in different forms, Bhairava, Ganesh, Surya, Kubera, Lakshminarayana, Asthadikpalas others forms adorn the walls.The female figures have been depicted in various poses of Apsaras, Nagakanyas, Yoginis etc.

Sculpture of vishnu

vishnu

Bhagvan buddh

Famous sculpture of Vishkanya

Vishnu in varah avtar

VIEW FROM THE TOP

main well

From the top place you would come to see the whole step well and also the main well.From this place you will come see the seven story of step well clearly .

GALLERY

other sculptures

 we all have studied about historic places in our school and college books but have you          experience that in real !!     By visiting this  places you will come to know about our rich 

and prosperous history, places like this arouse curiosity to know briefly about our ancient

culture and heritage.

So when are you planning to visit THE QUEEN OF ALL STEPWELLS.....