Patan Rani ki vav Gujarat

Address

Patan Rani ki vav Mohan Nagar Society, Patan, Gujarat 384265

Diety

Shiva, Vishnu, Brahma

Introduction

Rani ki Vav or Ranki vav is a stepwell temple situated in the town of Patan in Gujarat state of India. It is located on the banks of Saraswati River. Its construction is attributed to Udayamati, daughter of Khengara of Saurashtra, queen and spouse of the 11th-century Chaulukya king Bhima I. It has been listed as one of the UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites since 2014. The finest and one of the largest examples of its kind and designed as an inverted temple highlighting the sanctity of water, the step well is divided into seven levels of stairs with sculptural panels; more than 500 principal sculptures of Bhagwan Vishnu and over 1000 minor ones combine religious and Legendary imagery.

Puranic Significance

Rani ki vav was constructed during the rule of the Chaulukya dynasty. The stepwell was commissioned in 1063 and was completed after 20 years. It is generally assumed that it was built in the memory of Bhima I (r. c. 1022 – 1064) by his queen Udayamati and probably completed by Udayamati and Karna after his death but whether she was a widow when she commissioned it is disputed. Commissariat puts the date of construction to 1032 based on the architectural similarity to Vimalavasahi temple on Mount Abu built in the same year. The step well was later flooded by the Saraswati River and silted over. In 1890s, Henry Cousens and James Burgess visited it when it was completely buried under the earth and only well shaft and few pillars were visible. Later Rani ki vav has been declared a Monument of National Importance and protected by the ASI. It was added to the list of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites on 22 June 2014. The stepwell is designed as an underground shrine or inverted temple. It has spiritual significance and represents the sanctity of water. The sculptures in step well temple depicts numerous deities including Brahma, Vishnu, Shiva, goddesses Devi, Ganesha, Kubera, Lakulisha, Bhairava, Surya, Indra and Hayagriva. The sculptures associated with Vishnu outnumber all which include Sheshashayi Vishnu (Vishnu reclined on thousand hooded snake Shesha in the celestial ocean), Vishwarupa Vishnu (Cosmic form of Vishnu), twenty four forms as well as Dashavatara (ten incarnations) of Vishnu. The sculptures of deities with their families such as Brahma-Savitri, Uma-Maheshwar and Lakshmi-Narayan are there. Notable among other sculptures are Ardhanarishwara as well as large number of goddesses such as Lakshmi, Parvati, Saraswati, Chamunda, Durga/Mahishasurmardini with twenty hands, Kshemankari, Suryani and Saptamatrikas. There are images of Navagraha (nine planets) as well.

Special Features

Rani ki vav is considered as the finest and one of the largest example of stepwell temple architecture in Gujarat. It was built at the height of craftsmens’ ability in stepwell construction and the Maru-Gurjara architecture style, reflecting mastery of this complex technique and beauty of detail and proportions. The architecture and sculptures is similar to the Vimalavasahi temple on Mount Abu and Sun temple at Modhera. It is classified as a Nanda-type stepwell. It measures approximately 65 meters (213 ft) long, 20 meters (66 ft) wide and 28 meters (92 ft) deep. The fourth level is the deepest and leads into a rectangular tank 9.5 meters (31 ft) by 9.4 meters (31 ft), at a depth of 23 meters (75 ft). The entrance is located in the east while the well is located at the westernmost end and consists of a shaft 10m (33 ft) in diameter and 30 meters (98 ft) deep. The step well is divided into seven levels of stairs which lead down to deep circular well. A stepped corridor is compartmentalized at regular intervals with pillared multistory pavilions. The walls, pillars, columns, brackets and beams are ornamented with carvings and scroll work. The niches in the side walls are ornamented with beautiful and delicate figures and sculptures. There are 212 pillars in the step well temple.