In this
contemporary era of reverse osmosis water purifiers and people waging war for
waters, this ancient architectural step
well will definitely quench the thirst with an interesting legend. The farsightedness of our ancestors in preserving the sources of water is commendable.
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| Serene & Symmetrical |
STEP WELLS
Most of the
kings of Gujarat have constructed specialized step wells for conserving water
during rainy season that can be utilized during severe summer or drought.
This step well “Adalaj Ni Vav” (In Guarati, ‘Vav’ means a step well accessible through many steps) is an architectural and engineering marvel.
This step well “Adalaj Ni Vav” (In Guarati, ‘Vav’ means a step well accessible through many steps) is an architectural and engineering marvel.
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View of the Vav – thru rains
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THE NEED & PURPOSE
This step well
at Adalaj was built by (or for?) the Queen
Rudabai of Vaghela dynasty in 1498-1499 AD. lt not
only served utilitarian purpose but also as a cool resting place for travelers,
pilgrims and caravans as stopovers along trade routes.
It was an edifice for social, cultural and spiritual interaction for the villagers who came every morning at the well to procure water, offer prayers to the deities carved on the walls.
It was an edifice for social, cultural and spiritual interaction for the villagers who came every morning at the well to procure water, offer prayers to the deities carved on the walls.
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| The octagonal pavilion at the entrance. I was welcomed with strong showers |
HISTORY
The legend
behind the origin of this step-well is as alluring as its architecture and camouflaged
with passion and tragedy.
In 1499, the construction of the five-storied step
well was started by Rana Vir Singh of the Vaghela dynasty who was the ruler of ‘Dandai Desh’ - the area
around Adalaj.
During that time, Dandai Desh was attacked by Mohammed Begda, a Muslim
ruler of the adjoining state and Rana Vir Singh was killed in the battle. Infatuted by the beauty of the slain king's
widow Rani Rudabai, Mohammed Begda sent her
a matrimonial proposal.
The grief-stricken,
but earnest queen imposed a condition that he should finish the remaining portion
of the five-storied step-well started by her late husband. Cajoled by the charm
of the queen, Begda readily agreed to the resume the project.
After the
completion within a short time span, Mohammed Begda renewed his marriage
proposal to Rani Rudabai. The Queen demanded to visit the step well. The next
day, she came to the well, took a round at the dome, after reciting her final
prayer, plunged into the well and got watery grave.
Samadhi for Rani
Rudabai was built at the step well entrance.
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| It is worth to see the interplay of light with darkness inside the structure |
PLANNING OF THE STEP WELL
The step well is
located on the North and its entrance is from the south. The total length of the structure is around
240 feet.
The Adalaj Ni
Vav stands as the only step well, with three entrance stairs leading to a
stepped corridor. These three entrances converge at the first storey with a
huge square platform underground. The openings in the ceilings provide good
ventilation and lighting for the octagonal well.
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| Construction of these types of step wells with lots of creativity – without the use of established engineering practices in the ancient times is always astonishing |
THE STRUCTURE
The entire platform
of this five storied well is designed to rest on 16 pillars, eight on the
corners, and two in front of each main entrance. In each of four corners of the
platform, shrines with doors and balconies are constructed. This square platform
marks the beginning of the stepped corridor which is fully surrounded by 3 feet
high parapet wall.
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Looking up the top stories from the vav’s
bottom – as rains pour as lines
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ENTERING THE STEP WELL
Some damp smell of
bats and doves welcome when entering the well.
While
getting down the step well, one might
get an impression of entering a delphic location and extreme caution must be
taken due to the slippery condition of the steps. Since it was raining during
our visit, it was really a bizarre experience for us.
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| Entering into the earth – in silence |
INSIDE THE STEPWELL
By getting down
through 344 steps, the well water can be reached.
The step well is
constructed in such a way that the direct sunlight does not touch reach either
the flight of steps or the landing except during noon which makes the
temperatures inside the step well up to six degrees cooler than outside.
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| The water level inside the well may vary upon the season and the amount of rainfall |
ARCHITECTURE
Although the
step well was intended for a specific usage, its pragmatic creativity makes more
than its purpose. Rich ornamentation blended on the walls and pillars and
intricate carvings in the sculptures are veritable showcases of marvel in
craftsmanship.
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| Innovation in designing and breathtaking ornamental carvings will put today’s architects to infamy |
The walls and pillars are engraved with aesthetic designs of leaves, floral patterns, rows of birds, fish, animals, motifs of mythological scenes and even the natural elements like sky, clouds.
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A closer look in to walls of the Octagonal
pavilion
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| Craftly carved panels |
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| Shrines with doors in each of the corners |
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| Intricately carved pillars |
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| Pillars enriched with engravings & carvings |
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| A Balcony with exquisite carvings |
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| A Motif with elephants, horses and soldiers |
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| Though it was difficult for me to keep away the photographic gears from rain drops, I was lucky get some shots in the midst of drizzles inside the Vav |
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| Some where in the middle of the carvings on pillars and walls, mythological scenes and gods can be spotted. |
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| View of the Stretch of the Vav Structure from top |
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| Entry to the platform corridor in all stories & spiral steps in the east and west are closed by ASI |
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| It is believed that the architects who built this magnificent structure were sent to their graves by Mohammed Begda who did not want them to replicate this master piece anywhere else again |
HOW TO REACH
The Architectural Adalaj step-well is just 18 km. north of Ahmedabad and can be driven within at the most half an hour from the glitter and glamour of the malls and multiplexes of the city.
BEST TIME TO VISIT
The best time to visit is between the months of October and March as the weather in this season is quite pleasant in Ahmedabad.
TIMING
The step well is open on all the days and to relish the interiors of the step well, it is advisable to plan your visit when the sun is up you are at the bottom of the step well.
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