Rani ki Vav – Queen’s Stepwell

Aditi Ghosh

Rani-ki-Vav (Queen’s Stepwell) is an 11th-century-ornate stepwell, constructed by queen Udayamati in Patan, Gujarat. You can see its picture ( taken by another woman) in Rs 100 Indian currency. Designed as an inverted temple highlighting the sanctity of water, it is divided into seven levels of stairs with sculptural panels of high artistic quality. These panels have more than 500 principal sculptures and over a thousand minor ones that combine religious, secular and symbolic imagery.

Rani Ki Vav was acknowledged by UNESCO as a technological marvel in groundwater management in the 11th century. It is just a 125 km drive from Ahmedabad. Patan is also the place for the famous Patola saree.