Rani ki Vav: The Mysterious Stepwell!

In our quest to unravel the enigmatic wonders of the world, we stumble upon a hidden gem that not only mesmerizes but also captivates the soul: Rani ki Vav, the mystical step-well nestled in the heart of India. In this awe-inspiring journey, we invite you to explore the depths of this architectural marvel, its historical significance, and the secrets it holds, which continue to intrigue travelers and historians alike.

According to a calculation carried out about five years ago, about 2,800 step-wells are said to have been constructed in India. In Gujarati, the meaning of Vav is Step-well. Most of these are excellent examples of not only watercraft but also sculpture. However, the most impressive and beautiful of all stepwells is Rani’s stepwell or Rani ki Vav of Patan!

 

The Enigmatic Rani ki Vav: A Glimpse into History

A Stepwell of Unparalleled Grandeur

Rani ki Vav, also known as Queen’s Stepwell, stands as a testament to the architectural brilliance of medieval India. Located in the town of Patan, Gujarat, this stepwell is a perfect blend of form and function. Its sheer grandeur is apparent from the moment you lay your eyes upon it. The Rani ki Vav (or Ranki Vav) in Patan is the only step-well architecture recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site! It doesn’t take more than an hour to see the Vav (step well) decorated with 400 big and 800 small sculptures, but if try to understand the sculptures, it might take a whole day!

 

A Journey through Time

The history of Rani ki Vav dates back to the 11th century, during the reign of the Solanki dynasty. This stepwell was generously constructed by Queen Udayamati to commemorate her late husband, King Bhimdev I, in 1063 AD. Rani ki Vav served not only as a place for collecting water but also as a site of spiritual significance, reflecting the rich cultural heritage of India. The construction of a step well cannot be completed in a few years. It took twenty years to build and decorate Rani’s Vav.

Architectural Marvels Unveiled

Rani ki Vav is renowned for its intricate and ornate design. As you descend the steps, you’ll be greeted by seven levels of artistic splendor. The walls are adorned with exquisite sculptures, each depicting tales from Hindu mythology and everyday life. The stepwell’s structure is a fusion of Maru-Gurjara architectural styles, with its deep well ensuring a consistent supply of water even during the driest seasons.

Rani ki Vav is the longest Vav in Gujarat due to its length of 65 meters (213 feet). The total width is 20 meters (65 feet), and the depth is seven stories. Its main well in the western direction is about 29 meters (100 feet) deep and 10 meters (32 feet) in diameter at the top. 9.5 m by 9.4 m cistern towards the steps to maintain reserve water in the well, which is deep, almost 23 meters or 75 feet.

 

According to the documentation of the sculptor of the Stepwell, there are more than 400 statues and more than 800 small statues related to religious and mythological legends. Each and every statue in this step-well represents some legend stories. In fact, the structure follows the guidelines described in the late Sanskrit scripture ‘Aparajit pura’ of the twelfth century. This is why the step-well has become highly artistic rather than being only constructed of brick and stone. Apart from art, this step-well is also an excellent example of engineering.

This efficiency is attributed to its average three-meter-thick walls and interlocking stone fittings. In this method, a groove is cut into two horizontal stones and interlocked. The architect who built Rani’s Vav cut a groove in the stone and inserted the wood of the Simda tree into it. Only because of this technique, the Srepwall is still standing strong and has been able to withstand the shock of the massive earthquake that occurred on January 26, 2001.

As soon as you descend the steps and enter the stepwell, you will see the carvings on the left and right walls and wonder how it was possible to carve such a complex pattern in stone. Apart from figures like climbers, flowers, and deities, some geometric designs are also seen.

A 3-D design made of a number of squares may seem straightforward at first glance, but after standing and observing it for some time, one realizes how difficult it is to pick up pieces of the same size and make grooves of the same size right next to them. Today, that kind of complex work is done on CNC-type automated machines. On the other hand, the skilled builders of Rani ki stepwell carved thousands of 3D designs with their simple tools into the stone.

Significance of Building Stepwells

After seeing the Rudabai Vav of Adalaj and the Rani ki Vav of Patan, a natural question arises: if the purpose of the Srepwall is water conservation, then that purpose could have been achieved even by arranging horizontal slabs of stones.

Yet why would the then-rulers have decorated the Srepwall with intricate carvings and hundreds of sculptures? Why spend a lot of money? Because India’s history is filled with people-oriented and art-appreciating rulers, To patronize the artists of the state and keep their art alive was the duty of the rulers of that period. One of his objectives behind building temples, buildings, and gardens was to provide employment to laborers and artists, while the other objective was to keep art alive. In this view, apart from Rani ki Vav’s outstanding art, good use of wealth is shown in the public interest.

The Secrets Within: Rani ki Vav’s Hidden Treasures

A Cooling Oasis

Stepwells like Rani ki Vav were not merely utilitarian structures but also served as sanctuaries from the scorching Indian summers. The stepwell’s depth allowed for cooler temperatures as you descended further, providing respite from the relentless heat.

After descending a few steps into the Rani ki Vav comes a flat area called ‘Padthar’, where a mandapa has been designed using artistic stone pillars. Mandapams are usually arranged on alternate floors in Stepwell. Raniki Vav also has pavilions at different levels. The purpose of mandap is to provide strength to the facing walls of the stepwell, along with absorbing the direct heat of the sun. There were a total of 292 pillars in Rani ki Vav. 226 were found safe during excavation.

Mystical Alignment

One of the most intriguing aspects of Rani ki Vav is its alignment with the solstices. During the equinoxes, the sun casts a shadow that perfectly aligns with the stepped corridor, creating a mesmerizing play of light and shadow. This celestial connection adds an element of mystique to the step-well, leaving visitors in awe of the ancient architects’ astronomical prowess.

 

Hidden Chambers and Passageways

Rumors persist of hidden chambers and secret passageways beneath Rani ki Vav. Some believe these chambers hold untold treasures, while others speculate they were used for meditation and rituals. The allure of these hidden depths continues to draw explorers and archaeologists, hoping to unlock the secrets concealed within the stepwell’s labyrinthine structure.

Rani ki Vav: A Modern-Day Marvel

Restoration and Preservation

Once upon a time, the Stepwells of India were alive with the regular movement of water seekers and passersby. Occasional social gatherings were also held in stepwells. After the establishment of British rule in India, the British considered the stepwells unhealthy and gave importance to supplying water through pipelines. As a result, the stepwells gradually became neglected and eventually fell into a derelict state.

As the regular inflow and outflow of water stopped, green algae grew in its reservoirs. If the government does not take care to preserve these artistic monuments in historical memory, then what can be expected from the citizens? Artistic stepwells became open-air wastebaskets, and elsewhere they were used as toilets. (Even today, many of India’s stepwells are buried in garbage heaps.) No effort was spared in desecrating the stepwall, which years ago was revered as the Jalmandir (Temple of Water).

In recent years, concerted efforts have been made to restore and preserve Rani ki Vav. UNESCO recognized its historical significance and included it in the list of World Heritage Sites. The restoration work has not only rejuvenated its splendor but has also made it more accessible to visitors from around the globe.

Awe-Struck Visitors

Rani ki Vav has become a pilgrimage site for architecture enthusiasts, history buffs, and curious travelers. Its unique blend of spirituality, history, and artistry continues to captivate all who have the privilege of exploring its depths. We ourselves could not estimate the value of our precious heritage, but many curious people from abroad come to see and understand Indian heritage. A journalist, Victoria Lautman, from Chicago, USA, traveled around India and documented them. He also wrote a book titled ‘Vanishing Stepwells of India‘.

Rani ki Vav: How the priceless heritage re-emerged

A section of historians believe that the river ‘Saraswati‘ changed its course about five hundred years after the construction of Rani ki Vav was completed. A large amount of mud and silt then covered the entire Rani ki Vav. It is almost certain that such an event happened in the past, but the period cannot be said with certainty yet.

A Jain monk of the early fourteenth century has mentioned the Rani ki vav in ‘Prabhandh-chintamani‘, so it seems certain that the Stepwell was intact at that time. The establishment of Muslim rule at ‘Anhilwad’ (Patan) in the fifteenth century destroyed many Hindu and Jain architectural monuments. On the other hand, almost all the idols carved in Rani’s Vav have been found intact. Hence, it also follows that in the fifteenth century, architecture must have been buried under the ground.

A documentary mention of the stepwell was made during excavations by archaeologists James Burgess and Henry Cousens in the late nineteenth century. During their visit to Patan, they saw Rani ki Vav’s well and the pillar. All the rest of the architecture was under the sand-mud pile. In 1940, when Patan was included in the Baroda princely state, the first campaign to ‘excavate’ the stepwell buried in the ground was undertaken. By 1960, soil was cleared from the steps leading to the well.

In the next decade, stones up to 11 meters were rearranged. In the meantime, due to flood conditions, the work was disrupted for some time. In 1977, the cleaning was restarted. As the excavation went on, one by one, the marvelous floors and the statues on their walls came into view. When the excavation started, no one knew that a seven-story-deep treasure had been hidden for a very long time.

 

 

 

Special stones were called from Dhangadhra for the repair of walls, pillars, mandap, etc. All the cracks were filled, and badly damaged idols were repaired by the experienced hands of skilled sculptors. Many sculptures had lost their luster after hundreds of years in the sand and clay. Hard crusts of clay were so firmly set on the surface that it was difficult to determine the original carved shape of the stone.

The crusts were carefully cleaned with a special type of detergent. Finally, in 2001–02, after final cleaning with special chemicals, protective substances were applied to the sculptures. A priceless legacy of Gujarat’s glorious past was now in sight. In June 2014, UNESCO gave the status of World Heritage Site to the most beautiful and magnificent garden in the world. Four years later, Rani ki Vav’s lithograph image was replaced on the Rs 100 currency note of India.

Quick info of Rani ki Vav

Here’s the essential information for your visit to this intricate stepwell in Gujarat:

Category	Information
Location	Rani ki Vav, Patan, Gujarat, India
Google Location	Rani ki Vav on Google Maps
Famous For	UNESCO World Heritage Site, an intricately constructed stepwell
Best Time to Visit	Explore between October and March for comfortable weather
Entry Fee	Check with the authorities for the latest entry fees
Visiting Hours	Generally open from morning to evening; check specific timings
Accommodation	Options available in Patan city
Transportation	Nearest airport: Ahmedabad Airport (approx. 120 km away) Nearest railway station: Patan Railway Station
Language	Gujarati, Hindi, and English are commonly spoken
Currency	Indian Rupee (INR)
Safety Tips	Be cautious while exploring the stepwell, follow guidelines, and stay hydrated
Local Etiquette	Respect the historical significance, avoid touching the carvings, and maintain silence
Emergency Numbers	Police: 100, Medical Emergency: 108

 

Points you need to know while planning your trip:

Location: Rani ki Vav is situated in Patan, a city in the state of Gujarat, India. It is approximately 70 kilometers (43 miles) from Ahmedabad, the nearest major city. You can reach Patan by road or train. The nearest airport is Ahmedabad, which is five hundred kilometers away. From Mehsana by train, it can be reached in an hour by private bus or taxi. Intercity buses from Ahmedabad to Patan ply regularly.

Opening Hours: Check the opening hours of Rani ki Vav before you plan your visit. It is typically open from morning until evening, but hours may vary, so it’s best to confirm in advance.

When to visit: They can be visited anytime throughout the year, but not all sculptures can be viewed in monsson as the water level rises. Weather-wise, September to April is an ideal time.

Accomodation: Apart from Patan, Mehsana, and Ahmedabad, Gandhinagar accommodation is easily available. Dharamshalas and Jain temples in Patan also provide drop-off.

Entry Fees: Be prepared to pay an entry fee, which may vary depending on your nationality. Check the latest fees and any discounts available, especially for students and senior citizens.

Footwear: In many Indian monuments and temples, it is customary to remove your shoes before entering. Be prepared to do so when visiting Rani ki Vav. There may be designated areas to store your footwear.

Dress Code: Respectful attire is important when visiting cultural and religious sites in India. It’s recommended to wear modest clothing that covers your shoulders and knees.

Photography: Check the photography rules at Rani ki Vav. Some areas may prohibit photography, while others may allow it. If photography is allowed, be mindful of the flash and other visitors.

Guided Tours: Consider taking a guided tour to get a better understanding of the history and significance of Rani ki Vav. Local guides can provide valuable insights. A visit to Vav is not meaningful without knowing and understanding the artifacts with the help of a knowledgeable guide and allotting good time.

Weather: Gujarat can experience extreme temperatures, so check the weather forecast before your visit. Carry sunscreen, a hat, and water to stay comfortable, especially if you visit during the hot season.

Respect Local Customs: Be respectful of local customs and traditions. Avoid loud noises, public displays of affection, and any behavior that may be considered disrespectful.

Conservation Efforts: Rani ki Vav is a historical site, so help in its preservation by not touching or defacing the sculptures and structures. Follow any rules or guidelines provided by the authorities.

Accessibility: Consider the accessibility of Rani ki Vav, especially if you have mobility issues. Some parts of the stepwell may have steep steps or uneven surfaces.

Local Cuisine: Patan is known for its delicious Gujarati cuisine. Don’t miss the opportunity to try local dishes at nearby restaurants or food stalls.

Transportation: Plan your transportation to and from Rani ki Vav in advance. Whether you’re traveling by car, train, or bus, ensure you have a reliable mode of transport.

Local Culture: Take the time to interact with the local people and learn about their culture. It can enhance your overall experience and provide insights into the region’s history.

What else to see?

• Patan is famous for its Patola sarees. Patola weaving can be seen in person by visiting the Patola Museum. The Jain Mandi of Patan is also worth seeing. The Sahasralinga Lake which was renovated by Siddaraj Jai Singh, is located nearby.
• Modhera is only 35 kilometers from Patan. The Modhera sunset is a sight to behold.

Conclusion

In the heart of Gujarat, Rani ki Vav stands as a timeless testament to India’s rich history and architectural ingenuity. This stepwell, with its intricate carvings, mystical alignments, and hidden chambers, remains an enigma waiting to be fully unraveled. As you step into its cool, shadowy depths, you can’t help but be transported back in time, imagining the stories and secrets that lie beneath its waters.

If you’re seeking an adventure that combines history, art, and spirituality, Rani ki Vav is a must-visit destination. It’s a journey through time and culture, a step back into the pages of history, and an experience that will undoubtedly leave you awestruck.

So, pack your bags and embark on a journey to Rani ki Vav, where history and mystique await your exploration.

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