Rani-ki-Vav, a magnificent step well, at Patan is said to
been constructed by Queen Udayamati wife of King Bhimadeva I (A.D. 1022-1063).This is the highest watermark of Solanki architecture. According to history,
one Vanraj Chavda founded the city of Patan in 746AD. The city enjoyed the
status of capital of Gujarat for about 600 years till 1411AD. Patan reached the
heights of glory under the rule of Solankis till Mahmud Ghazni in 1024AD
invaded the city and ransacked it. Patan of present times is just a reminiscent
of the past glory and is popular for its beautiful Patola saris.
Citied as a spectacular piece of architecture reflects the
superb sculpting skills of the artisans of the Solanki era. The step well,
which was constructed by Queen Udayamati (AD 1022-63) in the loving memory of
her husband King Bhimdev I of Solanki dynasty, is one of the finest step wells
in India and a popular legacies of Patan.
It is 64 m long and 20 m wide .She
completed the construction of Rani Ki Vav in 1063. 'Vav' is apparently the
Gujarati word for 'baoli' (stepwell in Hindi). And definitely the 'Queen's
Stepwell' of Patan, of the Gujarat area, must be the most beautiful stepwell of
all. After construction of Rani Ki Vav it was flooded by Saraswati River. Later
on in 1980 Archeological Survey of India found the Rani Ki Vav with awesome
carving.
A brilliant Archological Monument of this Stepwell was originally constructed of seven stories of
which only five are now preserved. The shaft of this step well is 27 m deep.
The step is oriented in east-west directions. The step well has long stepped
corridor descending down to the underground tank, it is having four
compartmental multi-storeyed pillared pavilions with circular draw well at rear
end.
The corridor walls, pillared pavilions and inner side of well are
embellished with fine sculptures. Nearly 400 sculptures have survived out of
the original estimated 800 sculptures, which comprise of Hindu gods and
goddesses, apsaras and miscellaneous themes.
The sculptures are ornate; each one has a story to tell. The
worksmanship is exquisite. But what I liked best was that the steps gave me a
choice...many choices to choose the path I wanted to take as I descended...and
I could sit down just about anywhere I wanted to.
There are so many idols Idols
in each flour but of main idol is of Lord Vishnu, Sleeping on Sheshnag at
basement of Stepwell. The monument is atleast 1,000 years old. it was not
decorated with just a few geometric designs but extensively with sculptures of
Mahishasuramardini, Parvati, Bhairava, Ganesha, Surya, Kubera, and the several
avataras of Vishnu. Interspersed are the ashtadikpalas, yoginis, nagakanyas,
and apsaras.
The central theme is the Dasavataras, or ten incarnations of
Vishnu, including Buddha. The avatars are accompanied by sadhus, brahmins, and
apsaras (celestial dancers), painting their lips and adorning themselves.
At
water level you come to a carving of Sheshashayi-Vishnu, in which Vishnu
reclines on the thousand-hooded serpent Shesha, where it is said he rests in
the infinity between ages. The steps begin at ground level, leading down
through the cool air through several pillared pavilions to reach the deep well
below.
The four pavilions which demarcate the stages along
the descent have multiple storeys, two, four, six and seven respectively. The full size sculptures of the stepwell are taken from the entire
Hindu pantheon, for example, Vishnu, Shiva and their various aspects appear
with or without their consorts.
Carving on a pillar of the Vav is very beautiful and reminds
that how beautiful India was in the past. The rani Ki valve is very huge. There
are beautiful gardens around the Rani Ki Vav. They have a beautiful lawn where
once can relax. . Beautiful place, amazing sculptures, well maintained. Truly a
world heritage site.
1 comment:
Rani Ki Vav is the most established and the most terrific advance well in the province of Gujarat.
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