Rani ki Vav at Patan, UNESCO World Heritage Site

Rani ki Vav at Patan, is one out of the two UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Gujarat. The other one is Champaner at Pavagadh.

The buried beautiful history of Rani ki Vav

Climbing down the stairs of this stepwell was like walking into a jigsaw puzzle. Every step into Rani ki Vav had a story of a different time. How this place was discovered, why it was made, how it was made, its architecture and the tales behind it, all are different pieces of this big puzzle..

Rani ki Vav was silted below the ground from the water of Saraswati and got excavated by Archaeological Survey of India in 1980. This place is 31st Indian entrant to the World Heritage Sites list by UNESCO.Designed as an inverted temple highlighting the importance of water and its storage system ,this stepwell was built as a memorial to a king Bhimdev by his wife Udayamati  during 1063 to 1068 AD

This structure is divided into 7 levels and the main’s theme of “Dasavatars” (10 incarnations) of Vishnu is revealed as one reach the water level, you will see a carving of Vishnu reclining on one thousand snake heads on Sheersagar. The intricate structure of the Vav is ornamented with more than 800 sculptures in the seven galleries, majority of which are devoted to lord Vishnu.

Rani ki Vav in Photos

Sculptures are in devotion to Vishnu, in the forms of Dus-Avatars Kalki, Rama, Mahisasurmardini, Narsinh, Vaman, Varahi and others representing their return to the world.

Sculptures in devotion to Vishnu, in the forms of Dus-Avatars Kalki, Rama, Mahisasurmardini, Narsinh, Vaman, Varahi

​Centre stage taken over by Vishnu relaxing in Sheersagar

Centre stage taken over by Vishnu relaxing in Sheersagar

Apsara showcasing 16 different styles of make-up to look more attractive called Solah-shringar

Apsara showcasing 16 different styles of make-up to look more attractive called Solah-shringar

​Intricate carving of Kichak, Vishnu avatars and auspicious things of pooja in the pillars.

Intricate carving of Kichak, Vishnu avatars and auspicious things of pooja in the pillars

Parashurama, Budda and other forms of Vishnu surronded by apsaras.

Parashurama, Budda and other forms of Vishnu surronded by apsaras

Idols lost over time

How to reach Rani ki Vav, Patan

Rani ki Vav, Patan is located around 125 kms from Ahmedabad and takes approximately 3 hours to reach here. It is open for visitors from 8 am to 6 pm. The site is also well connected by buses from Ahmedabad.

P.S. I was invited by Gujarat Tourism Board to cover the  #InternationalKiteFestival2017.
Pallavi Sharma had represented RavenousLegs at this event. The post and the pictures are to her credit.
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