4.7 / 5

Rani Ki Vav
📍 Rani Ki Vav, GujaratView map ›

🗓 Best Time To Visit:October to March

⏰ Open Hours:8:00 AM to 6:00 PM

🧳 Things To Do:Explore the intricate carvings, photography, visit nearby temples

💰 Budget:Indian nationals: INR 5, Foreign nationals: INR 128

👥 Traveller Types:Historians, Photographers, Families, Solo Travellers

🔍 Known For:UNESCO World Heritage Site, Maru-Gurjara architectural style, intricate carvings depicting Hindu mythology

📍 Distances:4 km from Patan Railway Station, 125 km from Ahmedabad Airport

♿ Accessibility:Wheelchair accessible

📸 Photography:Allowed

🚗 Parking:Available

🎒 Tips:Carry water bottles, wear comfortable shoes, hire a guide for better understanding of the history

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Rani ki Vav: A Stepwell of Art and History

Have you ever wondered what lies beneath the ground in Gujarat? If you are looking for a hidden gem that will take your breath away, then you should visit Rani ki Vav, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a masterpiece of Indian architecture and sculpture. Rani ki Vav, which means the Queen’s Stepwell, is a stunning example of how ancient people created beautiful and functional structures to store and access water. In this article, we will explore the history, significance, features, and tips for visiting Rani ki Vav, one of the most impressive and unique monuments in India.

Photo of Rani Ki Vav 1/2 by
(C) Google

History and Significance

Rani ki Vav was built in the 11th century CE by Queen Udayamati, the wife of King Bhimdev I of the Solanki dynasty, as a memorial to her husband. The Solankis were one of the most powerful and prosperous dynasties in medieval India, who ruled over present-day Gujarat and parts of Rajasthan. They were patrons of art, literature, and religion, and built many temples, forts, and stepwells in their kingdom.

Stepwells are wells or ponds that are reached by descending a series of steps. They were common in arid regions of India, where water was scarce and precious. Stepwells served as water storage systems, as well as social and religious spaces, where people gathered to drink, bathe, worship, and relax. Stepwells were also symbols of power and status, as they demonstrated the wealth and generosity of their builders.

Rani ki Vav is one of the largest and finest stepwells in India, measuring 64 m long, 20 m wide, and 27 m deep. It is oriented in an east-west direction, with the well shaft at the western end and the entrance at the eastern end. It has a unique inverted temple design, with seven levels of stairs leading to the well. The stairs are flanked by pillared pavilions that house over 500 sculptures of various deities, mythical creatures, celestial beings, and human figures. The sculptures are carved in exquisite detail and expression, showcasing the skill and creativity of the artisans.

Rani ki Vav was a flourishing center of culture and spirituality until the 13th century CE, when it was flooded and buried by the Saraswati river, which changed its course due to an earthquake. The stepwell remained hidden under layers of silt for centuries, until it was rediscovered and excavated by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) in the 1980s. The ASI restored and conserved the stepwell, revealing its original glory and beauty.

In 2014, Rani ki Vav was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List for meeting two criteria: representing a masterpiece of human creative genius (criterion i) and exhibiting an important interchange of human values over a span of time or within a cultural area of the world on developments in architecture or technology (criterion iv). Rani ki Vav is not only a remarkable example of water management and engineering but also a testimony to the artistic vision and cultural diversity of medieval India.

Read about Apeksha's Trip to Heritage sites- Old Ahmedabad - Rani ki Vav - Lakshmi Vilas Palace- Gujarat

Architecture and Sculpture

Rani ki Vav is a feast for the eyes and the mind, as it offers a rich variety of architectural and sculptural elements that reflect different aspects of life, death, rebirth, love, beauty, power, and more. Here are some of the main attractions that you should not miss when you visit Rani ki Vav:

The stepped corridor: This is the main passage that leads you from the entrance to the well shaft. It has four levels of stairs that are decorated with floral motifs, geometric patterns, and animal figures. The corridor also has niches that contain sculptures of various gods and goddesses such as Vishnu, Shiva, Ganesha, Lakshmi, Parvati, and Saraswati.

The pillared pavilion: This is the most elaborate and ornate part of Rani ki Vav, where you can see the finest sculptures and carvings. It has three levels of pillars that support domed ceilings with intricate designs. The pillars are adorned with sculptures of apsaras (nymphs), nagkanyas (snake maidens), vidyadharas (celestial musicians), yakshas (nature spirits), and gandharvas (heavenly singers). The pavilion also has panels that depict scenes from Hindu epics such as Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Puranas.

The well shaft: This is the deepest part of Rani ki Vav, where you can see the actual well that stored water. It has a circular shape with a diameter of 10 m and a depth of 30 m. The well shaft is surrounded by walls that have niches with sculptures of Vishnu’s avatars such as Varaha (boar), Narasimha (man-lion), Vamana (dwarf), and Kalki (horseman). The well shaft also has a large sculpture of Vishnu reclining on the serpent Shesha, which is considered the main image of Rani ki Vav.

Rani ki Vav’s sculpture is influenced by various religious and philosophical traditions such as Hinduism, Buddhism, Jainism, and Tantrism. The sculptures represent different aspects of the cosmic order, the cycle of creation and destruction, the balance of opposites, the harmony of nature and human, and the quest for liberation and enlightenment. The sculptures also express the emotions and sentiments of love, joy, sorrow, anger, fear, and devotion. Rani ki Vav’s sculpture is a remarkable example of how art can transcend time and space and connect us with our ancestors and their worldview.

Read about other spectacular stepwells in India

How to Visit Rani ki Vav

Rani ki Vav is located in Patan district of Gujarat state, about 125 km from Ahmedabad, the largest city and former capital of Gujarat. You can reach Rani ki Vav by bus, train, or car from Ahmedabad or other nearby cities.

The nearest railway station is Patan, which is 8 km from Rani ki Vav. The nearest airport is Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad, which is 130 km from Rani ki Vav.

The best time to visit Rani ki Vav is during the winter or monsoon season, from October to March, when the weather is pleasant and the stepwell is filled with water.

You can visit Rani ki Vav on any day except national holidays, from 8 am to 6 pm. The entry fee is Rs 40 for Indians and Rs 600 for foreigners. You can also buy a combined ticket for Rani ki Vav and Sahastralinga Talav, another historical site in Patan, for Rs 50 for Indians and Rs 750 for foreigners.

Photo of Rani Ki Vav 2/2 by
(C) Gujarat Tourism Board

Here are some tips and suggestions for visiting Rani ki Vav:

- Wear comfortable shoes and clothes, as you will have to walk down and up many steps to explore the stepwell.

- Carry water and snacks, as there are no shops or restaurants near the stepwell.

- Respect the rules and regulations of the site, such as not touching or climbing on the sculptures, not littering or vandalizing, not smoking or drinking, etc.

- Take photos with permission, as photography is allowed but flash photography is prohibited.

- Hire a guide or use an audio guide, as they will provide you with more information and insights about the history, architecture, and sculpture of Rani ki Vav.

- Visit other places in Patan and Gujarat, such as Sahastralinga Talav, a lake with thousands of Shiva lingas; Patola Saree Making Unit, where you can see the traditional weaving technique of Patola sarees; Modhera Sun Temple, a magnificent temple dedicated to the sun god; Adalaj Stepwell, another beautiful stepwell with intricate carvings; Ahmedabad Heritage Walk, a guided tour of the old city’s monuments and markets; etc.

Conclusion

Rani ki Vav is a stepwell of art and history that will amaze you with its beauty and grandeur. It is a testament to the creativity and ingenuity of the people who built it and a treasure trove of the culture and spirituality of medieval India.

If you are looking for a unique and unforgettable experience in Gujarat, then you should definitely visit Rani ki Vav. You will not regret it!

Rani Ki Vav Reviews

Day 2 early morning we left for the UNESCO world heritage site - Rani ki Vav The journey from Ahmedabad to Patan takes approximately 3 hours by road hence it is advisable to leave early morning. Rani ki vav is an intricately constructed stepwell situated in the town of Patan in Gujarat. It is located on the banks of Saraswati River. Stepwells are a distinctive form of subterranean water resource and storage systems on the Indian subcontinent, and have been constructed since the third millennium BC. Rani ki vav was built in the complex Maru-Gurjara architectural style with an inverted temple and seven levels of stairs and holds more than 500 principal sculptures . Rani ki vav was built as a memorial to an 11th century AD king Bhimdev I by his widowed queen Udayamati and probably completed by Udayamati and Karna after his death. The stepwell was later flooded by the nearby Saraswati River and silted over until the late 1980s. When it was excavated by the Archaeological Survey of India, the carvings were found in pristine condition. It was added to the list of UNESCO's World Heritage Sites on 22 June 2014 6 floored structure with amazing carvings
Rani ki Vavor The Queen’s Stepwell in Patan is the biggest and the most beautiful stepwell in India and is also the only step well in India to be declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Water is sacred in Hinduism and its part of every worship rituals which was scarce in this part of India. Stepwells are an age-old model of how ground water was preserved and utilized in those days. This stepwell is the finest example of architectural brilliance, unique craftsmanship and technological excellence in ground water management in the 11th century. This Stepwell is also a masterpiece of Indian subterranean architecture with ornamental sculptures. You can consider Rani Ki Vaav as Queen of all step wells in India. A century ago, the existence of this place was only available in historical records, is now a place with the most ornate and highly sculptured vav and is also featured on the new ₹ 100 currency note of India.
Recently the restoration work over by Archaeological survey of India and beautiful garden built surrounding the wall. You need to go down in the well to see the steps of well. I never ever forgot the visit of step well as it is really beautiful place and carving in marbles are stunning. This stepwell was built by a queen, Udayamati in memory of her king Bhimdev I. How to reach: Patan is around 125km from Ahmedabad city. Nearest Airport is Sardar Patel International Airport, Ahmedabad. You can hire taxi or get state transportation bus also. In Patan you can also stayed in budget hotels or you can stay in Ahmedabad and hire taxi, visit patan and get back in night. What you can’t miss:carvings & pillars of seven levels(though you can’t allowed to go inside more than 4th level)800 sculptures surrouding walls & Pillars,Dasavataras, or ten incarnations of VishnuSheshashayi-Vishnu- Thousand-hooded serpent Shesha
Today is the day to visit the UNESCO World Heritage site- Rani ki Vav at Patan. We started bit late, had our breakfast on the way. Today’s special dish was Patra, mutter ke kachori and Khandvi. The road was rough, it took us more than expected to reach Patan. We hired the guide at the entrance, he explained us the history and the excavation story, also showed us excavation photos. The stepwell is elegant, it has been so well designed. The carvings are clear and most of it is still intact. The place has been restored well and most the sculptures are clear. There are sculptures of dieties, vishkanya all around. It is a perfect place for photoshoot and there was not much crowd as most of the people doesn’t travel here. You have to hire a cab to get to this place and return back to Ahm.
Recently added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites, this intricately built monument is a treasured experience for those who get to it. Built by a widowed Queen, Udaymati in memory of her husband Bhimdev I, ruler of the Solanki Dynasty, this magnificent step well is a little recognition short of being added to the historical wonders of India. It stands as a sort of an inverted pyramid and houses around 500 delicately carved sculptures of Vishnu, Kali and other Hindu gods and goddesses. The steps take you 27 m below the ground, with each step first leading you to pillared pavilions where you can admire its rich sculptures. Entry fee:₹5 for Indians, ₹150 for foreigners. Opening hours:8am to 6pm Best time to visit:November – March Nearest railway station:Mehsana railway station is the closest to Patan, around 55km away.
Photos of Rani Ki Vav
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