Rani ki Vav, Patan - The Queen's Stepwell | Patan, Gujarat

Rani ki Vav, Patan Overview

Rani Ki Vav or 'Queen's Stepwell' is a distinctive form of water storage system located in the small town of Gujarat called Patan, on the banks of River Saraswati. Believed to be the grandest stepwell in the state of Gujarat, Rani ka Vav epitomises the peak of Maru-Gujarat architectural style. The 900-year-old structure listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site is displayed prominently in the new ₹ 100 currency note issued by the Reserve Bank of India.

In the olden days, the water of the well had medicinal properties which helped ward off diseases like viral diseases and fever. The well was excavated in the 1960s in a well-protected state as it was buried under slit for sanctuaries. In addition to this, Rani Ka Vav was an important centre for socializing among the locals as well as taking refuge from the heat. It's an excellent example of turning something functional into a piece of art.

Must Know Before You Visit Rani ki Vav

Note :

During the month of December or January, a Rani ka Vav festival is held where one can enjoy the cultural program along with exquisite local cuisine and street shopping.
The best time to visit Rani ki Vav is during the morning, when it opens. There are a very few people at that time and the sunrays make it extremely photogenic.

Read More on Rani ki Vav

Historical Significance

The unique stepwell was constructed from 1063 to 1068 AD in Chalukya Dynasty as a memorial of Bhimdev Solanki by his widowed Queen Udaymati. It is designed in the shape of an inverted temple, divided into seven levels, highlighting the sanctity of water. Apart from being a water storage system, Rani Ki Vav is also known for its intricately carved sculptures on pillars that numbers around eight hundred primarily based on the theme of Lord Vishnu.

It is believed that Rani ka Vav was commissioned by the widowed queen Udaymati in the fond memory of her husband Bhimdev I (AD 1022 to 1063), son of Mularaja, the founder of the Solanki dynasty of Anahilwada Pattan. The construction started around 1050 AD and was probably completed by Udayamati and Karandev I after the death of her husband.

One can find the reference of Udayamati building the monument in the 'Prabandha Chintamani' composed by Merunga Suri in 1304 AD. Later, the vav was flooded by River Saraswati located nearby and silted over until the 1980s. It was then that Archaeological Survey of India excavated it along with its carvings in pristine condition. Today, considered as a man-made marvel, Rani ki Vav is among the finest stepwells in the legacies of the ancient capital city of Patan.

Facts About Rani ki Vav

The vavs of Gujarat, apart from being the site of collecting water and socialising, were also of great spiritual importance in the past. Although initially, the design of these wells leaned more towards a simplistic design, over time these styles became more complex and intricate. This was done mainly to emphasise on the sanctity of the water being stored in the vav. Rani Ki Vav is one such example that gives a feel of a subterranean temple on entering.

The most emphatic pieces of embellishment here have to be the statues and sculptures of Lord Vishnu.
The general theme of Rani Ki Vav is 'Dashavatars' or the ten incarnations of the deity.
The well descends to sub - terranean levels where you can observe around 800 distinct sculptures spread over seven galleries.
The incarnations of Lord Vishnu, namely, Matsya, Kurma, Varaha, Narasimha, Vamana, Parashurama, Rama, Krishna, Buddha, and Kalki are accompanied by statues of sadhus, Brahmins and celestial dancers or 'Apsaras'.
The most imposing imagery here is present at the water level of the Rani ki Vav, where you can see Vishnu reclining on the thousand-hooded serpent Shesha.

Architecture of Rani Ka Vav

Rani ka Vav cited as one of the spectacular pieces of architecture, reflects the typical Maru-Gurjara architectural style. It exhibits intricate technique and admiring the beauty of details and proportion achieved. Originally built as a memorial in the 11th century, this stepwell, apart from having sound water sourcing and structural stability, is also a piece of true artistic mastery.

The well is separated into seven levels of stairs adorned with sculptural panels of high artistic quality along with more than five hundred principle sculptures and over a thousand other religious and mythological figures, often referencing literary works.
Oriented in the east-west direction, the fourth level, which is the deepest, leads to a rectangular tank (9.5 metres by 9.4 metres) at a depth of 23 metres.
The well also holds religious significance, and thus, is designed as an inverted temple highlighting the sanctity of water.
A number of stone structures depicting the various 'avatars' or manifestations of Lord Vishnu such as Kalki, Rama, Krishna, Narsinh, Vaman, Varahi can be seen here.
Interestingly, the sculptures of various Yoginis and Apsaras can be seen here sporting the 'Solah - Shringar' or 16 different styles of ornamentation of oneself.

How to Reach Rani ki Vav

The best way to reach the Rani ka Vav is through taxi. One can also visit by public buses. If you plan on taking the bus, a number of intercity buses run from Ahmedabad to Patan and take approximately 3.5 hours to reach. Buses from Mehsana to Patan take about an hour. Shared jeeps are available as well, and they are slightly quicker but less comfortable.