Rani ki Vav at Patan

Rani ki Vav (Queen's Stepwell) at Patan, Gujarat was built by Rani Udaymati - the widow of King Bhimdeva I of the Rajput Chalukya Dynasty, in the memory of her husband in 11th Century AD. The stepwell was later flooded by the nearby Saraswati River and silted over until the late 1980s. When it was excavated by the Archaeological Survey of India, the carvings were found in pristine condition.

This magnificent structure was built in the complex Maru-Gurjara style in the form of an inverted temple and seven level of stairs and numerous sculptures. It was one of the largest and the most sumptuous structures of its type. The structure consists of a stepped corridor compartmented at regular intervals.The walls had been built of brick and faced with stone. From these walls project vertical brackets in pairs, which supported the different galleries of the well shaft proper. The bracketing is arranged in tiers and is richly carved. The minute and exquisite carving of this vav is one of the finest specimens of its kind. Befitting its name, the Rani-Ki-Vav is now considered to be the queen among step wells of India. There is also a small gate below the last step of the step well, with a 30-kilometre tunnel, currently blocked by stones and mud, which leads to the town of Sidhpur near Patan. It was used as an escape gateway for the king, who built the step well in the times of defeat.

The Stepwells or Vavs in Gujarat have traditionally held spiritual significance not just being meant for collecting water. Thus visitors enter Rani Ki Vav as if it is an inverted temple, where one steps down various levels to the water.

Vishnu's Rama Avatar

Vishnu's Varaha Avatar

The structure is richly decorated with sculptures most of which are dedicated to Lord Vishnu and his various Avatars - Rama, Krishna, Narsimha, Vaman, Kalki etc. There are also the non religious sculptures of Nagakanyas, Yoginis and Apsaras adding phenomenal beauty and charm to the complex. There are pillared pavilions at each level. The carvings on these pillars are so exquisite as if done on wood not on stone. At water level there is a scultpture of Sheshashayi-Vishnu, in which Vishnu reclines on the thousand-hooded serpent Shesha. It is said he rests in the infinity between ages.