RANI ki VAV

Herbert Daniel Gebauer - 06/01/2018

The famous man-made stepwell (note 1) at Patan (note 2) boasts some of Gujarat's finest carvings (LONELY PLANET, India 1997: 705; 2001: 639), dates from 1050 (note 3) or 1052 (MULCHANDANI & SHUKLA, s.a., page 6), is not only the oldest in Gujarat (LONELY PLANET, India 2001: 639) but also the oldest and finest in Gujarat (LONELY PLANET, India 2005: 652; 2009: 738), has been admirably restored between 1982 and 1988 (MANKODI 1991) and was said to provide water, which cures infantile cough (IMPERIAL GAZETTEER 1907-1909, 20: 24). ETYMOLOGY: Rani-ki Vav, the Queen's Stepwell (note 4), is named for Udaimati, queen of the Solanki Rajput Bhima Deva (1022-1063). DESCRIPTION 2009: … Rani-ki-Vav (Indian/foreigner Rs 5 / 100, 8am-6pm), is an astoundingly beautiful step well, incongruously grand in this unassuming town. Built in 1050, the step well is the oldest and finest in Gujarat and is remarkably well preserved -- it was protected by centuries of silt and restored in the 1980s (LONELY PLANT, India 2009: 738). DESCRIPTION 2005: Rani-ki-Vav (Indian/foreigner Rs 5 / 100, opening hours 8am-6pm), is an astonishingly beautiful baoli, incongruously grand in this unassuming town. Built in 1050, the baoli is the oldest and finest in Gujarat and is remarkably well preserved -- it was protected by centuries of silt and restored in the 1980s (LONELY PLANET, India 2005: 652). DESCRIPTION 2003: The breathtaking Rani-ki-Vav (Indian/foreigner Rs 5 / 100, open hours 8am-6pm daily) boasts some of Gujarat's finest carvings. Built in 1050, the baoli is the oldest in Gujarat and is remarkably well preserved -- it was protected by centuries of silt and restored in the 1980s (LONELY PLANET, India 2003: 652). DESCRIPTION 2001: … Rani-ki-Vav, a baoli which boasts some of Gujarat's finest carvings. Built in 1050, the baoli is the oldest in Gujarat and is remarkably well preserved -- a product of the renovation work completed in the 1980s to redress centuries of silting. The waters in the bali once provided a natural air-cooling system in its chambers for the members of the royal family who sought refuge here from summer heat. It's very impressive and certainly warrants a visit (LONELY PLANET, India 2001: 639). DESCRIPTION 2000: … Rani ki vav, a stepwell dated to 1052 AD. The stepwell is a massive, seven storeyed subterranean structure, with flights of steps leading to the water level, string coursed by magnificent works of 11th century sculpture depicting voluptuous women, gods and goddesses of the Hindu pantheon, and the avatars of Lord Vishnu. Just above the water level are chambers, believed to have been reserved for queens and princesses to enjoy the coolness of the air wafting from the surface of the water, and a stupendous sculpture of Lord Vishnu reclining [note 5] on the coils of a serpent (MULCHANDANI & SHUKLA, s.a.: 6). DESCRIPTION 1997: Patan … There's also the renovated Rani-ki-Vav, a ste-well which boasts some of Gujarat's finest carvings. It's veryimpressive and certainly warrants a visit … (LONELY PLANET, India 1997: 705). DESCRIPTION 1993: Patan … There's also a renovated stepwell here (LONELY PLANET, India 1990: 498). DESCRIPTION 1990: Patan … There's also another stepwell here (LONELY PLANET, India 1990: 498). CAVE LIFE: WARD, P (1988, 1994, 1998: 157-158) mentions bees (Apidae).li once provided a natural air-cooling system in its chambers for the members of the royal family who sought refuge here from summer heat. It's very impressive and certainly warrants a visit (LONELY PLANET, India 2001: 639). DESCRIPTION 2000: … Rani ki vav, a stepwell dated to 1052 AD. The stepwell is a massive, seven storeyed subterranean structure, with flights of steps leading to the water level, string coursed by magnificent works of 11th century sculpture depicting voluptuous women, gods and goddesses of the Hindu pantheon, and the avatars of Lord Vishnu. Just above the water level are chambers, believed to have been reserved for queens and princesses to enjoy the coolness of the air wafting from the surface of the water, and a stupendous sculpture of Lord Vishnu reclining [note 5] on the coils of a serpent (MULCHANDANI & SHUKLA, s.a.: 6). DESCRIPTION 1997: Patan … There's also the renovated Rani-ki-Vav, a ste-well which boasts some of Gujarat's finest carvings. It's veryimpressive and certainly warrants a visit … (LONELY PLANET, India 1997: 705). DESCRIPTION 1993: Patan … There's also a renovated stepwell here (LONELY PLANET, India 1990: 498). DESCRIPTION 1990: Patan … There's also another stepwell here (LONELY PLANET, India 1990: 498). CAVE LIFE: WARD, P (1988, 1994, 1998: 157-158) mentions bees (Apidae).