Rani-ki-Vav, Patan Information | Photos | Location

Rani-ki-Vav, on the banks of the Saraswati River, was initially built is a memorial to king by his widowed wife in the 11th century AD. It is one of the grandest stepwells in India, not only used for preserving water but also designed as an inverted temple symbolizing the sanctity of water. Although it deteriorated due to silting, most of it has been renovated by archeologists in 1980 exemplifying its intricacy and technique which is a great example of the ancient architecture of the Solanki Dynasty. The entrance to this monument is at the ground level leading down through sculptures of Vishnu in all his avatars along with saints, apsarasas, etc to a statue of Lord Vishnu inclining on a thousand-hooded serpent, Shesha. This construction acts as a natural cooler, which stirred the royal family to stay here often during the summers. It is open on all days for visiting from 8:00 to 18:00 hours. It is also well connected by buses and jeeps.