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Rani-Ni-Vav, Patan, Gujarat
How to reach there
Air: Ahmedabad.
Rail: Mahesana.
Accomodation:
Ahmedabad
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Hotel Mascot
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Cama Hotel
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Holiday Inn Ahmedabad.
Location.
It is about 134 km north-west of Ahmedabad, and about 57 km from
Mehsana.
The Rani-ni-Vav forms the link between
a kunda and the now classical step-well. Five lateral, staggered
staircases attached to the side walls connect various storeys. Sculptures
of deities in recessed and projecting niches cover all sides of
the well. The Vav is very rich in sculptures. Each level is profusely
adorned with carved friezes and niched deities. The lower most level
has 37 niches with rudimentary images of Ganesha in the centre.
The images of Sheshashayi Vishnu in the central niches, on the upper
levels, are more elaborate.
Also, on the upper levels, are impressive
images of Laxmi-Narayana, Uma-Mahesh, Brahma-Brahmi, and kubera
and Ganesha, with their respective consorts. On the lower levels,
are images of Vishnu's incarnations and 24 forms. No other Vav in
India is so profusely adorned as the Rani-ni-Vav. More than 800
sculptures form a remarkable backdrop to what was purely a functional
structure.
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