Rani-Ki-Wav (Rani Ki Vav)- a stepped well of the 11th century, located in the Indian city of Patan on the banks of the Saraswati River. It is believed that the well was built by Udayamati, the widowed Queen of Bhimdev I (1022 - 1063 AD) in memory of the king. Bhimdev was the son of Mularaja, the founder of the Solanka dynasty in Patan. The well was later flooded by the neighboring Sarasvati River and lost until the late 1980s, when it was discovered and excavated by archaeologists. During excavations, magnificent carvings and statues of the well were found intact.
Let's take a closer look at it ...
The name "Rani-ki-wav" is translated as "The well of the steps of the queen." Under its last step, which descends to the water, they discovered a 30-meter secret passage leading to the city of Sidhpur. Most likely, it was built in case of war, to evacuate the rulers of Patan. In June 2014, "Rani-ki-wav" was added to the list World heritage UNESCO.
A step well is a distinctive form of underground water resource and water storage systems in the Indian subcontinent. Such structures have been built since the 3rd millennium BC, evolving over time from a simple pit in sandy soil to elaborate multi-story works of art and architecture. Rani-ki-Vav was built at a time when the skill of building wells was perfected. The architectural style of Maru-Guryar reflects the grace of this complex technique and the beauty of detail and proportion. Rani-Ki-Vav is the king of the stepped wells of India. Chand Baori in Rajasthan is another exceptional example of this technology.
The well, built in the stepped maru-gurjara style, is shaped like an inverted cone. Its staircase is decorated with 500 large and about 1000 small sculptures. The water tank is located at a depth of 23 meters.
Designed as an inverted temple, the well highlights the inviolability of the water. It is divided into seven flights of stairs with sculptural groups of high artistic level. There are over 500 large sculptures and over a thousand small sculptures that combine religious, mythological and secular imagery, often citing literary works. The fourth level is the deepest and leads into a rectangular tank measuring 9.5 by 9.4 meters, with a depth of 23 meters. The well is located at the lowest level and consists of a shaft 10 meters in diameter and 30 meters deep. The building itself measures 64 by 20 meters.
At the lowest step is the entrance to a 30 km long tunnel leading to the city of Sidhpur near Patan. The tunnel was built especially for the king, who could use it in case of defeat during the war. Currently, the passage is blocked by stones and mud.
In the 13th century, geotectonic changes led to a major flood and the disappearance of the Saraswati River, after which the well ceased to perform its direct functions. For almost seven centuries, the well was hidden under a thick layer of dust and silt, which allowed this miracle of architecture to be preserved in perfect condition to this day. The well was rediscovered less than 30 years ago.
Rani Ki Vav is an 11th century stepped well located in the Indian city of Patan on the banks of the Saraswati River. It is believed that the well was built by Udayamati, the widowed Queen of Bhimdev I (1022 - 1063 AD) in memory of the king. Bhimdev was the son of Mularaja, the founder of the Solanka dynasty in Patan. The well was later flooded by the neighboring Sarasvati River and lost until the late 1980s, when it was discovered and excavated by archaeologists. During excavations, magnificent carvings and statues of the well were found intact.
The name "Rani-ki-wav" is translated as "The well of the steps of the queen." Under its last step, which descends to the water, they discovered a 30-meter secret passage leading to the city of Sidhpur. Most likely, it was built in case of war, to evacuate the rulers of Patan. In June 2014, Rani-ki-wav was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
A step well is a distinctive form of underground water resource and water storage systems in the Indian subcontinent. Such structures have been built since the 3rd millennium BC, evolving over time from a simple pit in sandy soil to elaborate multi-story works of art and architecture. Rani-ki-Vav was built at a time when the skill of building wells was perfected. The architectural style of Maru-Guryar reflects the grace of this complex technique and the beauty of detail and proportion. Rani-Ki-Vav is the king of the stepped wells of India. Chand Baori in Rajasthan is another exceptional example of this technology.
The well, built in the stepped maru-gurjara style, is shaped like an inverted cone. Its staircase is decorated with 500 large and about 1000 small sculptures. The water tank is located at a depth of 23 meters.
Designed as an inverted temple, the well highlights the inviolability of the water. It is divided into seven flights of stairs with sculptural groups of high artistic level. There are over 500 large sculptures and over a thousand small sculptures that combine religious, mythological and secular imagery, often citing literary works. The fourth level is the deepest and leads into a rectangular tank measuring 9.5 by 9.4 meters, with a depth of 23 meters. The well is located at the lowest level and consists of a shaft 10 meters in diameter and 30 meters deep. The building itself measures 64 by 20 meters.
At the lowest step is the entrance to a 30 km long tunnel leading to the city of Sidhpur near Patan. The tunnel was built especially for the king, who could use it in case of defeat during the war. Currently, the passage is blocked by stones and mud.
In the 13th century, geotectonic changes led to a major flood and the disappearance of the Saraswati River, after which the well ceased to perform its direct functions. For almost seven centuries, the well was hidden under a thick layer of dust and silt, which allowed this miracle of architecture to be preserved in perfect condition to this day. The well was rediscovered less than 30 years ago.
Rani-Ki-Wav (Rani Ki Vav)- a stepped well of the 11th century, located in the Indian city of Patan on the banks of the Saraswati River. It is believed that the well was built by Udayamati, the widowed Queen of Bhimdev I (1022 - 1063 AD) in memory of the king. Bhimdev was the son of Mularaja, the founder of the Solanka dynasty in Patan. The well was later flooded by the neighboring Sarasvati River and lost until the late 1980s, when it was discovered and excavated by archaeologists. During excavations, magnificent carvings and statues of the well were found intact.
Let's take a closer look at it ...
Photo 2.
The name "Rani-ki-wav" is translated as "The well of the steps of the queen." Under its last step, which descends to the water, they discovered a 30-meter secret passage leading to the city of Sidhpur. Most likely, it was built in case of war, to evacuate the rulers of Patan. In June 2014, Rani-ki-wav was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
A step well is a distinctive form of underground water resource and water storage systems in the Indian subcontinent. Such structures have been built since the 3rd millennium BC, evolving over time from a simple pit in sandy soil to elaborate multi-story works of art and architecture. Rani-ki-Vav was built at a time when the skill of building wells was perfected. The architectural style of Maru-Guryar reflects the grace of this complex technique and the beauty of detail and proportion. Rani-Ki-Vav is the king of the stepped wells of India. Chand Baori in Rajasthan is another exceptional example of this technology.
Photo 3.
The well, built in the stepped maru-gurjara style, is shaped like an inverted cone. Its staircase is decorated with 500 large and about 1000 small sculptures. The water tank is located at a depth of 23 meters.
Designed as an inverted temple, the well highlights the inviolability of the water. It is divided into seven flights of stairs with sculptural groups of high artistic level. There are over 500 large sculptures and over a thousand small sculptures that combine religious, mythological and secular imagery, often citing literary works. The fourth level is the deepest and leads into a rectangular tank measuring 9.5 by 9.4 meters, with a depth of 23 meters. The well is located at the lowest level and consists of a shaft 10 meters in diameter and 30 meters deep. The building itself measures 64 by 20 meters.
Photo 4.
At the lowest step is the entrance to a 30 km long tunnel leading to the city of Sidhpur near Patan. The tunnel was built especially for the king, who could use it in case of defeat during the war. Currently, the passage is blocked by stones and mud.
In the 13th century, geotectonic changes led to a major flood and the disappearance of the Saraswati River, after which the well ceased to perform its direct functions. For almost seven centuries, the well was hidden under a thick layer of dust and silt, which allowed this miracle of architecture to be preserved in perfect condition to this day. The well was rediscovered less than 30 years ago.
Photo 5.
Photo 6.
Photo 7.
Photo 8.
Photo 9.
Photo 10.
Photo 11.
Photo 12.
Photo 13.
Photo 14.
Photo 15.
Photo 16.
Photo 17.
Photo 18.
Photo 19.
Photo 20.
Photo 21.
Photo 22.
Photo 23.
Photo 24.
Photo 25.
Photo 26.
Photo 27.
Photo 28.
Photo 29.
Photo 30.
Photo 31.
Rani Ki Vav- one of the most famous wells in India. It was built in the 11th century in the city of Patan (Gujarat state) on the banks of the Saraswati River by order of Queen Udayamati in memory of her late husband. Over time, the well silted up, archaeologists were able to fully restore it only in the late 1980s, surprised to find that the architectural masterpiece was preserved intact.
The first wells appeared in India in the 3rd century BC, the reason for their distribution is the arid climate. Initially, they dug a primitive hole in sandy soil, where underground waters accumulated, later they began to turn the reservoirs into real historical monuments... Rani-ki-vav was built at a time when the skill of Indian architects reached its zenith. The style of creating multi-tiered stepped wells is called Maru-Gurjara.
The name Rani-ki-wav in translation means "The well of the queen's steps"... The structure has the shape of an inverted cone, the staircase is conventionally divided into seven parts, each of which is decorated with sculptures. There are more than 500 large and 1000 small sculptures in total. The water tank is located at a depth of 23 meters.
Under the last step, descending to the water, there is a tunnel, the length of which is 30 km. It leads to the city of Sidhpur, which is adjacent to Patan. This secret passage was built to evacuate the king in case of war, now the passage is barricaded with stones.
In the 13th century, as a result of a strong earthquake, the Sarasvati River ceased to exist, and the well remained under the rubble for seven centuries. Archaeologists found Rani-ki-wav less than 30 years ago, on June 22, 2014, it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Rani Ki Vav is an 11th century stepped well located in the Indian city of Patan on the banks of the Saraswati River. It is believed that the well was built by Udayamati, the widowed Queen of Bhimdev I (1022 - 1063 AD) in memory of the king. Bhimdev was the son of Mularaja, the founder of the Solanka dynasty in Patan. The well was later flooded by the neighboring Sarasvati River and lost until the late 1980s, when it was discovered and excavated by archaeologists. During excavations, magnificent carvings and statues of the well were found intact.
The name "Rani-ki-wav" is translated as "The well of the steps of the queen." Under its last step, which descends to the water, they discovered a 30-meter secret passage leading to the city of Sidhpur. Most likely, it was built in case of war, to evacuate the rulers of Patan. In June 2014, Rani-ki-wav was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
A step well is a distinctive form of underground water resource and water storage systems in the Indian subcontinent. Such structures have been built since the 3rd millennium BC, evolving over time from a simple pit in sandy soil to elaborate multi-story works of art and architecture. Rani-ki-Vav was built at a time when the skill of building wells was perfected. The architectural style of Maru-Guryar reflects the grace of this complex technique and the beauty of detail and proportion. Rani-Ki-Vav is the king of the stepped wells of India. Chand Baori in Rajasthan is another exceptional example of this technology.
The well, built in the stepped maru-gurjara style, is shaped like an inverted cone. Its staircase is decorated with 500 large and about 1000 small sculptures. The water tank is located at a depth of 23 meters.
Designed as an inverted temple, the well highlights the inviolability of the water. It is divided into seven flights of stairs with sculptural groups of high artistic level. There are over 500 large sculptures and over a thousand small sculptures that combine religious, mythological and secular imagery, often citing literary works. The fourth level is the deepest and leads into a rectangular tank measuring 9.5 by 9.4 meters, with a depth of 23 meters. The well is located at the lowest level and consists of a shaft 10 meters in diameter and 30 meters deep. The building itself measures 64 by 20 meters.
At the lowest step is the entrance to a 30 km long tunnel leading to the city of Sidhpur near Patan. The tunnel was built especially for the king, who could use it in case of defeat during the war. Currently, the passage is blocked by stones and mud.
In the 13th century, geotectonic changes led to a major flood and the disappearance of the Saraswati River, after which the well ceased to perform its direct functions. For almost seven centuries, the well was hidden under a thick layer of dust and silt, which allowed this miracle of architecture to be preserved in perfect condition to this day. The well was rediscovered less than 30 years ago.
