Rani-ki-Vav - The Queen's Stepwell

Rani-ki-Vav – Patan

Water has played an important role in the architectural heritage of Western India from the earliest times. It has been historically confirmed that the early Harappan towns (3000 BC) had a highly developed system of drains, wells and tanks.

Rani-ki-Vav is almost 5-6 storeys deep

The vavs or baolis (step-wells) of Gujarat consist of two parts: a vertical shaft from which water is drawn and the surrounding inclined subterranean passageways, chambers and steps which provide access to the well. The galleries and chambers surrounding these wells were often carved profusely with elaborate detail and became cool, quiet retreats during the hot summers.

The ornated walls at Rani-ki-Vav

Step-wells are unique to India and are repositories of architecture. Such step wells are not known anywhere outside the Indian sub-continent. It appears that the vavs were designed to bring the people and Gods together. Vavs were probably attempts to entice Gods to leave their abodes for a cool drink of water - the elixir of life.

Rani-ki-Vav viewed from ground level

of Gujarat under the Solanki kings is the Rani-ki-Vav, the oldest and grandest step well of all the 120 step wells built in Gujarat. It is said that Rani Udaymati played a vital role in its construction, hence known as Rani-ki-Vav (Queens Step Well).The Rani-ki-Vav is on the eastern banks of River Saraswati, at Patan, built somewhere during the eleventh century, during the period of the Solanki reign [The Solankis ruled over Gujarat till 1143].Rani-ki-Vav is probably the most magnificent step-well in Gujarat. Throughout, the ornamentation is splendid. Columns, brackets and beams are covered with scrollwork and the wall niches are carved with figures. Hindu deities on the walls flank the staircase. Its monumental construction and ornate treatment suggest that it also served a ritual ceremonial purpose. Most of the sculpture is in devotion to Vishnu, in the forms of his Avatar as Krishna and Ram, representing their return to the world

Another view of Rani-k-Vav from ground level .

Rani-ki-Vav is almost five to six storeys deep. Builders and masons dug deep trenches into the earth for dependable, year-round groundwater drawn from River Saraswati. There is also a small gate below the last step of the step well which has a 30 kilometer tunnel built (Now it has been blocked by stones and mud) which leads to the town of Sidhpur near Patan. It was to serve as an escape gateway for the royal family in the times of defeat in a war.
To escape the tortuous heat of the summers the royal family rested in the cool pavilions of Rani-ki-Vav – probably the earliest water cooler!

Rani-ki-Vav is rightly described as a Temple for the waters from the River Saraswati.

A Grand View of Rani-ki-Vav