ADALAJ WAV

Herbert Daniel Gebauer - 06/01/2018

The richly carved baoli (stepwell) built in 1498 by Ruda, the wife of Vairasimha (WARD 1988: 39-40) or in the year 1499 by Queen Rudabai is among the finest (note 1). ETYMOLOGY: Adalaj Vav LONELY PLANET, India (1990: 496; 1993: 646); MATHAI, A (2001) Adalaj Wav LONELY PLANET, India (1997: 637; 2001: 637; 2003: 651; 2005: 651; 2009: 737); LONELY PLANET, North India (2001: 784). SITUATION: At the town of Adalaj (N23°10': E072°35'), which lies at a travelling distance of 17 km or 19 km (LONELY PLANET, India 1990: 476; 1997: 704) north (NNW) of Ahmedabad on the road to Mahesana / Mehsana. From Ahmedabad, the Gandhinagar bus will get you within walking distance. DESCRIPTION 2005: Adalaj Wav is among the finest of the Gujarati baolis. … it has three entrances leading to a huge platform that rests on 16 pillars, with corners marked by shrines. The octagonal well is five storeys deep. The baoli is decorated with exquisite stone carvings; subjects range from eroticism to buttermilk (LONELYPLANET, India 2005: 651; 2009: 737). DESCRIPTION 2001: About 100 feet (30 m) deep, 250 feet (75 m) long, 101 steps, 270 pillars, 65 enclosures holding statues and mythological depictions, and four balconies (STEP BY STEP 2001). DESCRIPTION 1997: Adalaj Wav is one of the finest of the Gujarati stepwells or baolis, with carvings depicting intricate motifs of flowers and birds. It … provided a cool and secluded retreat during the hot summer months (LONELY PLANET, India 1997: 704). DESCRIPTION 1992: … richly carved, every pillar, and wall surface [is] covered with leaves and flowers, birds and fishes, and friezes and ornamental designs (GOVERNMENT OF INDIA 1992). DESCRIPTION 1990: Adalaj Vav … one of the finest of the Gujarati step wells, or baolis … provided a cool and secluded retreat during the hot summer months (LONELY PLANET, India 1990: 496; 1993: 646).PLANET, India 2005: 651; 2009: 737). DESCRIPTION 2001: About 100 feet (30 m) deep, 250 feet (75 m) long, 101 steps, 270 pillars, 65 enclosures holding statues and mythological depictions, and four balconies (STEP BY STEP 2001). DESCRIPTION 1997: Adalaj Wav is one of the finest of the Gujarati stepwells or baolis, with carvings depicting intricate motifs of flowers and birds. It … provided a cool and secluded retreat during the hot summer months (LONELY PLANET, India 1997: 704). DESCRIPTION 1992: … richly carved, every pillar, and wall surface [is] covered with leaves and flowers, birds and fishes, and friezes and ornamental designs (GOVERNMENT OF INDIA 1992). DESCRIPTION 1990: Adalaj Vav … one of the finest of the Gujarati step wells, or baolis … provided a cool and secluded retreat during the hot summer months (LONELY PLANET, India 1990: 496; 1993: 646).