Rani Ki Vav Rani Ki Vav is a famous stepwell (step well) located in Patan district of Gujarat state, India. It was included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site on 23 June 2014. This stepwell is an underground structure consisting of a series of steps, wide platforms, pavilions and sculptures on the walls through which one can descend into deep water. It is a seven-storey stepwell with five exits and more than 800 sculptures made in it are still present today. This stepwell is a protected monument under the Archaeological Survey of India.
Patan was earlier known as ‘Anhilpur’, which was the former capital of Gujarat. It is said that Rani ki Vav was built by Queen Udayamati in the memory of her husband King Bhimdev in the year 1063. Which was later completed by Karandev I. King Bhimdev was the founder of the Solanki dynasty of Gujarat. He ruled Vadnagar Gujarat from 1021 to 1063 AD. Due to floods due to geological changes and the disappearing Saraswati river, this valuable heritage remained buried under layers of silt for about 700 years. Later it was discovered by the Archaeological Department of India.
Most of the idols made in rani ki vav are related to Lord Vishnu. Statues have been created in the vava as the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu, mainly Kalki, Rama, Krishna, Narasimha, Vamana, Varahi and other main incarnations and secular imagery, often referencing literary works.
Rani ki vav (રાણકીવાવ) Amazing VIDEO LINK HERE.
Along with this, artworks of beautiful Apsaras like Nagakanya and Yogini have also been made in the stepwell. The artifacts of the stepwell are made in a wonderful and attractive form.