Last Updated on March 2, 2022 by Soumya
On a long weekend trip to Ahmedabad in the western Indian state of Gujarat, we saw not one but three beautiful stepwells. And there are hundreds more. The Queen’s step well is just one of the most remarkable ones. Rani ki Vav in Patan or the Queen’s Step Well is yet another example of medieval India’s architectural genius.
In a previous article on why you should see the step wells of Gujarat, I talked about the various factors that make these tiered wells (Vav in Gujarati) so significant. Step wells formed an important part of lives in ancient and medieval India. If you are a history and culture lover like me, you cannot not see some of these when you are here. However, if you have time for only one, make sure you visit Rani ki Vav in Patan.
Come, let’s find out what makes the Rani ki Vav in Patan so fascinating.
Rani ki Vav was declared a UNESCO Heritage Site in 2014 and one of the best things to see in Ahmedabad. Since UNESCO sites are my favorites, I had to see this place and find out more about it.
The history behind this step well
According to the official website of Gujarat Tourism, Rani ki Vav was built in the latter half of the 11th century by Queen Udayamati in memory of her husband, King Bhimdev I of the Solanki dynasty. This was quite unusual for the time because usually, kings used to build memorials for their wives. The step well ended up being called the Queen’s step well.
Some believe that the step well was flooded by the River Saraswati in the 1980s. Others believe that it just got buried under sand and silt as time passed. The carvings and sculptures that adorn the walls of the step well were buried under. Silt preserved them, in fact. The stepwell was later excavated and restored. Today, it stands as a brilliant example of India’s architectural genius.
Architecture
Step wells have always been a common fixture in the arid life of western India. They were an excellent way to store water in the states of Gujarat and Rajasthan. As time passed, people started dividing simple wells into tiers and adorning their walls with intricate carvings. This led to the creation of fascinating stepwells of Gujarat.
Rani ki Vav was made in the Maru Gurjara architectural style. This includes beautiful detailing of sculptures, instances of which you can see all over the stepwell. Pretty similar to the detailing at the Sun Temple of Modhera, another must-have on your Gujarat bucket list.
Rani ki Vav is divided into seven levels of stairs and is designed like an inverted temple, kind of highlighting the sanctity of water in these areas. As you climb down the stairs you will be riveted by both the quality and quantity of sculptures on the walls. There are 500 main sculptures and 1000 minor ones.
The sculptures represent various themes – religion and mythology being the most dominant. The central theme of sculptures here is the Dasavataras or the ten incarnations of Vishnu. At the lowest level (the water level – this was not accessible to visitors when we went), you can see a reclining sculpture of Lord Vishnu on a serpent.
Enter the well at the eastern end and walk to the lowest level open to visitors. I would like to call this the heart of Rani ki Vav. From the heart, you can appreciate the entire step well and get a glimpse of the water level at the westernmost end.
Spend a few moments in the heart and admire, what seems like, millions of intricate carvings around you. Notice the delicate motifs on the pillars. Look up to spot various Indian gods flanked by Apsaras (celestial nymphs) on both sides.
If you love step wells and the intriguing stories behind them, you will also like to visit the plainer, less-decorated step wells of Hampi.
Interesting facts about Rani ki Vav in Patan
- Rani ki Vav is featured on the new 100 rupee note of India.
- The step well is decorated with 1500 intricate sculptures, big and small.
- Rani ki Vav in Patan is the only step well to be declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- It was built as a memorial for a king by the queen instead of the other way round, which was a more common practice at that time.
All practical information
Tickets and toilets
Tickets are priced at INR 25 for Indian and SAARC citizens. Foreign visitors need to pay INR 300 per person. These were the rates when I last went to Rani ki Vav (in 2018) and are also the ones mentioned on the website of Archaeological Survey of India. If you have visited more recently and paid something different, do let me know in the comments. I like to keep my blog as updated as possible for my readers.
You can buy your tickets from the ticket office at the entrance. Toilets are available. I did not use them hence, cannot vouch for their cleanliness. However, the lawns outside the step well are neat and quite well maintained. Dustbins are available for you to throw your trash in.
Opening hours
This heritage site is open every day between 8 am – 6 pm.
How to get to Rani ki Vav in Patan?
Rani ki Vav is located in Patan at a distance of 125 km from Ahmedabad. It can be easily done as a day trip from Ahmedabad. Patan is often clubbed with the Modhera Sun Temple which is yet another beautiful monument built by the Solanki dynasty.
You can get to Patan from Ahmedabad either by private car or bus. We hired a private taxi for our trip to both Modhera and Patan. With the coming of Uber and Ola Outstation, things have become a lot simpler and cheaper.
You can also ride an intercity bus from Ahmedabad to Patan and the trip will take you around 3.5 hours. Further, there are a couple of passenger trains between the cities and the train journey takes around 3 hours.
Best time to visit
The ideal time during the day to visit the monument is during the early hours of the morning. The rising sun casts a golden hue on the sculptures and the stepwell glitters like gold. This presents a great opportunity for all photographers.
During the year, October – March is a good time to visit Gujarat. That is when the temperatures are lower and you will not get drained under the Indian sun.
Are you planning a trip to Gujarat, India? Do not forget to read our other posts on the state.
How to visit Lothal, an ancient Harappan city
How to visit the Modhera Sun Temple
Best day trips from Ahmedabad
Why you must see the majestic step wells of Gujarat?
I loved checking out the architectural genius of Rani ki Vav in Patan. Have you visited this step well yet? Let me know in the comments below.
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I would like to do painting, photography,of this beautiful historical hidden beauty,
Agree. Rani ki Vav is an absolutely beautiful place.
The history of this interesting step is so fascinating. It is nice to know that it is actually called a queen’s stepwell where the queen built this temple in memory of the King. I am aware of how stepwells were very important in the ancient lives in West India to store water, but it is really nice to know that this particular stepwell has been declared as an UNESCO world heritage site. I would love to visit this place especially because of the intricate details of architecture it possesses.
The naming of the stepwell is interesting. Made for the king and named after the queen could indicate the real power in play or maybe the status of women in society in general. I find this truly fascinating.
Do they practice sustainable tourism? You mentioned rubbish bins, but do they separate recycling? What documentaries/youtube channels do you recommend I watch to learn more about the stepwells?
Hey Paul. Unfortunately, no sustainable tourism practices in place yet. But I hope they do that soon. There are tonnes of videos on YouTube on the stepwells of India. However, I would recommend the videos by Gujarat Tourism and INSIDER.
beautiful, really amazing post. I would love to visit this place. you know what being an Indian staying in this country, I did not knew about it and it is kinda shame to me. Thank you so much for sharing it and letting me know about it.
It’s often the case with everyone. We generally tend to ignore the beauties in our backyard. I am culpable too. Trying by best to discover these hidden beauties in my own country.
Wow these ornate carvings are unlike any I’ve seen in my travels! I am a sucker for interesting architecture found around the world. Great discovery!
Thanks Shane. If you love architecture, you will love the Rani ki Vav in Patan.
I was in India many years ago and going through your post I was trying to recall if I have been to this site. Definitely the architecture is mind blowing. So many details always make me thing how many years this must have taken. Really worth visiting!
That’s true Anita. It’s not usual to find such detailing. Am sure it must have taken years to finish this piece.
We really have the dream of visit India for a long long time. It’s such a rich destination, so many things to see and, it’s not really easy to choose what to do and see. Your great post really help me to put Rani Ki Vav on my must do list. I really have to add it to my visit to Ahmedabad, one of the other must do of our list.
That’s true. India is huge and it cannot all be done in one trip. But Ahmedabad is a must-do when you are here. And it is easy to take a day trip to Rani ki Vav in Patan from there.
I heard about Rani Ki Vav when I was in India back in 2017 but I never got enough time to visit. It’s one of the first places on my list when I decide to visit next time. And in the meantime, I can enjoy the beauty of this place via virtual tours like this one.
I am sure you can. Happy travels to India whenever you plan on coming next.
What a unique place to visit, I imagine it’s quite the experience in person. I’m also a big fan of UNESCO sites though I had not heard of this one. I feel like I learn so much about the world and world history especially, after visiting them.
Exactly. I feel the same too.
Very informative post with the necessary details, enjoyed reading.
Thank you so much. I am glad you liked it.
I’ve never heard of this place before. It’s really a piece of fantastic architecture! I love all the details and sculptures, they are amazing. I would love to go to India and I will probably do it in the time period you suggest, ie between October and March. I hope I can find some cheap flights from Poland.
The Queens step well is wonderful. And I hope you have a good time visiting it. Let’s hope you get those tickets soon.
I had no idea about the step wells in Gujarat! This one is truly fit for a queen — the carvings are incredible. So beautiful!
Oh wow the photos in this posts are stunning. I want to visit India for a couple of months one day and after reading this I will definitely be adding Rani ki Vav to my list of destinations!!! Looks like such a beautiful place
Yeah, a must do if you are anywhere in the western part of India. The best part is you can club many such stepwells together.
The architecture and intricate carvings on the walls of the step well are so amazing. I love visiting historical sites and would like to thank you for introducing me to this gem in Gujarat. I had not heard about it until I read your post. I can imagine how awestruck a visitor must feel when standing in Rani Ki Vav, marveling at the effort that must have gone in to design and construct such an architectural masterpiece. Will add to our bucket list for sure.
Thank you Aditi for the appreciation. It is indeed a surreal feeling to stand amidst all that beauty and think about all the history that had gone behind building it. I hope you have a good time here.