The Royal Well (Rani ki Vav) is a unique masterpiece of Indian architecture.
Ran-ki-vav, or royal well, is located in the city of Patan on the banks of the Saraswati River in Gujarat, India. It was built in 1022-1063 during the Solanki dynasty, Rani Udayamati, who commissioned its construction as a memorial in memory of the deceased husband of Bhimdev I.
It is believed that Rani ki Vav was built next to the Saraswati River. However, when the river changed its course, probably before the completion of construction, the well was flooded.
Another story suggests that the queen's well was deliberately hidden in the river mud by the rulers of Solanka to protect her from invading the army. This beautiful building was rediscovered almost 900 years after this event. In 1958, archaeologists from India dug a well and removed the layers of silt embedded in the bas-reliefs. Thanks to this, a very well-preserved structure was discovered.
In 2014, Rani ki Vav was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List as a unique site of this type and one of the most important architectural monuments in India.
The beautifully decorated Royal Well was built in the style of Maru Gurjara and is 64 m long, 20 m wide and 28 m deep, it resembles an inverted temple divided into seven steps, currently only five.
Promotional video:
Like other wells, Rani Ki Vav was built to provide access to water for the local population living in the Indian heat. Each level is richly carved with more than 1,500 bas-reliefs with religious, mythological and secular motives.
The incarnations of Vishnu, Shiva, Brahma, Ganesha, Lakshmi, women with snakes, dancers and yogis are just a few of the beautiful sculptures. Interestingly, some of the sculptures of women have been observed to bear traces of paints that were supposed to be some sort of cosmetic decoration.
Each floor and the interior of the well is surrounded by a horizontal frieze. The queen's well was also of great religious value. Due to the fact that it was designed as an inverted temple, it had to emphasize the sanctity of water. This quality of holy water is further emphasized by the proximity of Saraswati, one of the seven sacred rivers in India. It was also believed that bathing in the waters of Rani ki Vav can heal people from many ailments. These "magical" properties of water were associated with the plants growing in and around the complex. They say there is a 30-kilometer tunnel under the well that leads to the city of Siddhpur. It was used for safe passage during war or invasion.
The Queen's Well is truly intricate and beautifully designed, but also reflects the sophisticated technique and craftsmanship of India's architectural wonder.