Rani ki vav / Queen's Stepwell

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Among the largest stepwells in Gujarat, the sculptural wealth of Rani ki vav supasses all other.
          Initially built as a memorial in the 11th CE , the Stepwell was constructed as a religious as well as functional structure and designed as an inverted temple highlighting the sanctity of water.

.           ©- from Google maps

About the architecture:

1. Rani ki vav is located on the banks of the Saraswati River in Patan, Gujarat.

2. It was built by Solanki dynasty's Queen Udayamati in the 11th CE as a memorial to her deceased husband Bhimdev 1.

3. Rani ki vav is well known for it beautiful seven story tower which is designed as inverted temple and intricately carved sculptures and depicts the entire universe - gods , goddesses , deities, birds , animals, celestial bodies etc.
.           © - from Google maps 

4. The Stepwell is aligned east - West and has all the fundamental characteristics of a Stepwell , such as a corridor that begins at ground level , a series of four pavilions with an increasing number of levels towards the west , a tank and a tunnel shaft shaped well.

5. Under the last step of the well , there is a door which led to a 30 metre long tunnel , which opened in Siddhpur ( located near Patan)

6. The pavilions are standing on pillars which are intricately carved - in middle with design of flowers and in upper portion are sculptures of apsara, which give a look like the roof is standing on shoulders of apsara.
.              © - archaeological survey of India 

7. There are 500 big sculptures and over 1000 mini sculptures carved on the Stepwell. Most of the sculptures are of Lord Vishnu and his incarnations .

8. This site is a fantastic example of Solanki's ornate structural design.

9. Since 2014 , it has been designated as a UNESCO'S WORLD HERITAGE SITE. And from 2018 , RBI is using it on 100₹ note.

       Over the years , as the Saraswati River changed its course , the massive structure was flooded and lay buried untill its excavation by the Archaeological Survey of India in the late 1980s. 
           It is a very famous tourist destination in Gujarat because it has architectural as well as religious significance. 

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