Patan : Rani Ki Vav – Queen’s Stepped-Well

Gujarat

By kevinstandagehotography on March 29, 2015 • ( 9 Comments )

Patan lies 130km north of Ahmedabad in the state of Gujarat, it takes about 2.5 hours to reach there and the roads are excellent. This trip can easily be done alongside visiting the Sun Temple at Modhera.

The main attraction in Patan is the Rani Ki Vav (or Rani Ni Vav), otherwise known as the Queen’s stepped-well.

It was built by Udaymati in memory of her husband Bhimdev I, who died around 1063. Whilst also being one of the larger stepped wells in India, the fresh crispness of the sculptures makes it stand out in particular.

If you’re wondering how the carvings have remained in such a pristine condition after nearly 1,000 years, until 100 years ago the site was completely covered with silt and mud, preserving them from the elements.

Most of the sculptures are devotions to Vishnu, in the forms of his avatars (Krishna, Rama and others), representing their return to the world.

Around 60 years ago there used to be ayurvedic plants growing around this area which caused the water accumulated in Rani ki vav to be helpful for viral diseases and fever.

Rani Ki Vav is open 8am – 7pm.

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Categories: Gujarat, Patan : Rani Ki Vav

Tagged as: Stepwells