Stepwells Of India

"We are not makers of history. We are made by history."

Stepwells (also known as Vav or Bawdi) are wells or ponds that have a long corridor of steps leading down to the water level. 

Stepwells played an essential role in defining underground architecture in western India from the 7th to the 19th century. Stepwells are wells or ponds built in ancient times, to reach which one has to go down several floors of stairs. Water also collects in the well or pond located below through these stairs. 

These stepwells are covered from above and were made very attractive from the point of view of architecture. Architecturally beautiful structures and stepwells in western India, mainly in Gujarat and Rajasthan, were constructed to supply water during the drought. Symbol of coolness, this stepwell used to be a place of social and religious ceremonies in ancient times.

Here are the most visited stepwells in India

1.Rani Ki Vav, Gujrat

Rani ki Vav is a stepwell famous worldwide for its excellent structure and unmatched beauty and is located in Patan village of Gujarat city of India. It is one of the oldest historical heritage sites in India. Built on the banks of the Saraswati river in Gujarat, this is a significant step well, whose building is seven storeyed. 

The only of its kind step well, "Rani ki Vav" is surrounded by beautiful artefacts and sculptures from all sides. This historical 7- Storey stepwell was built by his wife, Rani Udayamati, in memory of King Bhimdev of the Solanki dynasty in the 11th century. This stepwell, situated on the banks of the Saraswati river, has also been included in the list of World Heritage by UNESCO in 2014 because of its unique and colossal structure. This historical stepwell was also printed on the new note of 100 rupees issued by RBI in 2018.

Built about 140 km from Ahmedabad, this historical heritage symbolizes love for the queen. This unique stepwell was believed to be constructed for proper water management because the rainfall in this area is much less. While according to some folktales, Queen Udayamati had built this colossal step well to earn virtue by providing water to needy people. This huge stepwell on the banks of river Saraswati used to come to this river for many years. 

Due to the flood, it was slowly buried in the debris of soil and mud, after which the Archaeological Survey of India excavated this place in the 80s. And the good thing is that even after being buried in the debris for years, the sculptures and artisans of Rani Ki Vav were found in excellent condition. 

If you want to visit Rani ki Vav and enjoy the beautiful view of Rani ki Vav's building, you can go, and there is no ticket to stay there. You can roam here for free and enjoy the beautiful view here, the beautiful view of the beautiful sculptures made on the walls of Rani ki Vav. 

There are stairs to go deep inside this well, but from top to bottom, it looks like an urn coming out of the walls. If we look at this Vav, we can see the artwork of ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu. Dashavatara has been engraved very well. All the ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu, namely Matsya, Kurma, Varaha, Narasimha, Vamana, Parashurama, Rama, Krishna, Buddha, and Kalki, are intricately carved. Apart from this, the artefacts of all the gods and goddesses, including Goddess Lakshmi, Parvati, Lord Ganesha, Brahma, Kuber, Bhairav, and; Surya, are also seen in this vast stepwell.

The most memorable thing about this unique stepwell is that on descending into the depth of the well of this step, we get to see the great idol of Lord Vishnu lying on the bed of Sheshnag. Tourists visit Rani ki Vav in large numbers. Rani ki Vav is open for tourists from 8:30 am to 7 pm. Tourists visiting Rani ki Vav also like to visit nearby attractions. 

Let us give you information about the tourist places near Rani ki Vav. If you are planning to go to Gujarat to visit Rani ki Vav, then let us tell you that you can see Rani ki Vav at any time of the year, but in terms of weather, an ideal time to visit here is between October and March. During your visit to Rani ki Vav, you can taste Gujarati snacks like thepla, dhokla, bhajia, khandvi, pani puri, and many other delicious dishes. The Gujarati menu lists a wide variety of food options.

If you want to stay here after visiting Rani ki Vav and its prominent tourist places, you will find hotels ranging from low-budget to high-budget near Rani ki Vav, which you can choose as per your needs.

  1. The Grand Raveta
  2. Hotel guest
  3. Hotel Shivalik Mehsana
  4. Hotel Jorba Deesa
  5. Hing Laj Hotel And Restaurant

Tourists can choose between flight, train, and bus to visit Rani ki Vav. If you have chosen the air route for Rani ki Vav travel, let us tell you that the nearest airport to Rani ki Vav is Ahmedabad's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Airport, which is approximately 123 kilometres away. 

2. Chand Baori, Rajasthan

Chand Baori is a primary tourist attraction site in Abhaneri village of Rajasthan, belonging to the 10th-century monuments. Abhaneri village is located near Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan. Despite being over 1000 years old, this step well still exists today. Let us tell you that many films have also been shot here, including Bhool Bhulaiyaa, The Fall, The Dark Knight Rises, and Best Exotic Hotel Marigold. Chand Baori is an architectural marvel consisting of several thousand steps built as a water reservoir in the semi-arid region of Rajasthan. 

The world's most attractive stepwell Chand Baori attracts tourists from all over the world. People who are architecture lovers must come to see this attraction. Built during the 8th and 9th centuries by Raja Chand, it is named after him, Chand Bawdi. It has been constructed so the local people can get clean water throughout the year. Also, this grand structure is said to be a gathering place for the local people of Abhaneri, where they sit around the well. The lower part of the stairs gets cold during summer, and during this time, the temperature of this step cools down to 7-8 degrees. Apart from common uses, according to Hindu mythology, the water of this well forms the boundary between heaven and earth. 

Because of this, it also became a place for meditation, prayer, and a ritual bath, a must-visit before visiting the Harshat Mata Temple. Many locals consider the Baori to be haunted. 

According to the locals, the Baori was built in one night, which is practically impossible. Hence it was believed that making it was given to a jinn. This stepwell has worked very well in the arid region of Rajasthan. Chand Bawdi is known for the splendid architectural expertise of Indian architects. 

It displays geometrical precision with 13 floors below and 3500 steps. The stepwell is about 100 feet deep, a square construction measuring 35 meters on each side. Winters (November – March) is the best time to visit Chand Baori and other parts of Rajasthan as the weather is 8 degree Celsius during the night and 32 degrees Celsius. Delhi and Jaipur airports are the nearest airports to Chand Bawdi. You can take a flight from any corner of the country to here. From the airport, you can hire a taxi or cab to Abhaneri. 

Apart from Chand Bawdi Step Well, there are many things that you can visit in and around Abhaneri village, like Harshat Mata Temple, Madhogarh Temple, Mehndipur Balaji Temple, Bhandarej, and Jhajhirampura. You can find fantastic food restaurants here: Chand baori restaúrant, Hotel Highway king, Raj restaurant, etc.

3.Rajon Ki Baoli,Mehroli- Delhi

It is said about Rajon Ki Baoli, located in Mehrauli, that Iltutmish, the son-in-law of Qutubuddin Aibak, who laid the foundation of Qutub Minar, built this royal stepwell for his daughter Razia. ASI has got the conservation work done after a long time. The door of the main gate in Baoli has been repaired, and the stairs have been fixed. 

In one part of Baoli, the remaining Jina has been repaired. Rajo ki Baoli is not a king's baoli. Its original name is Rajon Ki Baoli! Raj means Raj Egyptian, who builds houses and walls. Built by Daulat Khan in 1516 AD under the rule of Sikandar Lodhi, this Baoli has three floors and is more neat and orderly than Gandhak's Baoli!

There is also a mosque adjacent to it. However, people do not go to the mosque but to see Baoli! There are some inscriptions in Urdu/Persian on the walls of Baoli. Perhaps there will be verses from the Quran. There are stairs on both sides of it, from where you can go up and see the panoramic view of Baoli; if you look in front, other monuments of Mehrauli will also be visible. October to March is the best time to visit this beautiful place. 

The Baoli remains open from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm on all days of the week. No entry fee is charged. Winter in Delhi is the best time to explore the city with a favourable climate for sightseeing. 

You can come by plane to Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi. You can get from Delhi Airport to Rajo Ki Baoli by bus, subway, taxi, car, or town car. Rani ki Vav is one of the best and most spectacular Babdis. Due to these features, Rani ki Vav is one of India's oldest tourist places; thousands of Indian and foreign tourists visit this Babdi annually.

4.Pushkarinis, Hampi- Karnataka

Pushkaranis are sacred tanks attached to temples. Most of the prominent temples of Hampi have a tank attached to them. The tanks cater to life's rituals and function in and around the temple. These tanks are also symbolically important and are treated with great respect. In many cases, the sacred lakes were the venue for the annual boat festival, where gods and goddesses were carried on the coracle. Except for a few in Hampi, many ponds are in destroyed condition. 

However, they are great architectural attractions in their own right. Although it was hopelessly destroyed (or never completed), the Pushkarani at the end of Darbari Ki Gali is worth a look. Look for it on your right when you enter Ganika Street from the riverside. The Archaeological Department has renovated this ruined pond to some extent. You can see the remains of pillars that once surrounded the huge rectangular tank. So in the centre of the tank are the remains of the pavilion. 

There is no water in the tank, so you can also see the details of the steps, like the base and gallery around the tank. A better-preserved specimen of the holy tank is situated near the Vitthal temple. It is located a little to the east of the temple complex. 

From the Vittala Temple promenade along Car Street (Vittala Bazaar), you will find the tank right before a ruined temple marked as Kuduregombe Mantapa.The Pushkarani attached to the Virupaksha temple is functional. It is located just outside the North Tower (facing the river). This huge tank is called Manmantha Tank. 

You will also find a series of temples (much older than the Virupaksha Temple) in front of this tank (see also Manmatha Tank Shrine). The stairs and walls are painted with that distinctive red and ocher stripe. To the west (behind) of the Virupaksha temple is the small but spectacular-looking tank. You can also find several temple tanks scattered throughout the Royal Center area. 

Although not associated with any temple, the so-called terraced tank inside the royal enclosure is the most popular. A dry but peculiar-looking tank is near the flag post near Hazara Ram Mandir. The temple tank is easy to reach, opposite the Krishna temple. Just cross the road and walk a minute along Krishna Bazaar, this ancient Car Street, also known as Krishna Bazaar, you will see it from the side. The temple tank is easy to reach, opposite the Krishna temple. Just cross the road and walk a minute along Krishna Bazaar, this ancient Car Street, also known as Krishna Bazaar, you will see it from the side. If you walk up to Pattabiram Temple, a 5-minute walk on the main road takes you to the vast temple tank. The pavilions have been destroyed, but you can still see the pillars surrounding the tank, that part of the pillar. 

Another important holy lake is Pampa Sarovar, full of lotus, on the way to the famous Anjaneya hill. This mythologically important place is situated inside an arc of boulder hills. Pampa Sarovar is 'on the other side of the river' where Anegondi is. October to March is the best time to visit this place. 

The climate of this place is cool and pleasant for sightseeing. Here you can enjoy veg biryani, curry, white sauce pasta and south Indian Thali, Nutella banana pancake, and veg momos. The best restaurants in Humpi are- the mango tree restaurant, the gopi guest house and roof restaurant, and Ganesh old chillout.

5. Panna Meena Ka Kund, Jaipur

People from far and wide come here to see the beauty and architecture of 'Panna Meena Ka Kund,' one of the famous step wells of Rajasthan. This square-shaped kund has stairs all around. This kund is very popular not only among history lovers but also among today's young generation. 'Panna Meena Ka 

Kund', located near Amer Fort, is about 200 feet deep. Earlier, this kund used to be the people's primary water source. However, now it has become a favourite picnic spot of the people. Many stories are prevalent about the Kund of Panna Meena. One of them is that this stepwell was built about a thousand years ago by the people of the Meena dynasty. Panna Meena was a great warrior. He was killed by the king of Amer by deceit and established his rule here. This stepwell also tells the story of the downfall of Panna Meena.

This stepwell was built during the reign of Maharaj Jaisingh. It is said that there used to be a sincere servant named Panna Meena in the court of Maharaj Jaisingh. Pleased with his service, Maharaj got this kund constructed. This beautiful stepwell has a Jaigarh fort on one side and the natural beauty of the mountains on the other side. Small canopies and small temples on its four sides give it a charming look. Or Baori was built for water storage in olden times. This Baori is called Panna Meena Baori or Panna Meena Kund. 1800 steps in 8-floor stepwell: The depth of Panna Meena Kund is 200 feet. There are about 1800 steps in this 8-story stepwell. A beautiful specimen of carpet artistry can be seen in this kund. 

The beauty of this place fascinates tourists. The distance from Delhi to Jaipur is about 294 km. You can travel to Jaipur by bus, train, or flight. It takes only 4 hours and 53 minutes to reach Jaipur from Delhi by bus. On the other hand, if you want to travel by train, it will take only 5 hours and 15 minutes. You can reach Jaipur from Delhi in just one and a half hours by flight.

This stepwell is 11 km from Jaipur Railway Station and 9.2 km from Badi Chaupar Metro Station. You can take an auto or cab to reach this stepwell between Jaigarh Fort and 'Amer Fort.' You can also find the best eating places near Panna Meena ka kund: Zeeman restaurant, Chokha Amer restaurant, Royal Rajwada multicuisine restaurant, etc.

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