About Adalaj Stepwell
Adalaj Stepwell or Rudrabai Stepwell is situated in the Indian state of Gujarat’s small village of Adalaj. It is close to the metropolis of Gandhinagar. In 1498, Rana veer Singh’s wife, Queen Rudradevi ( of the Dabdai Des dynasty), constructed it in Hounor. The commercial hub of Gujarat is the city of Ahmedabad, which has a population of about 4.5 million. Sultan Ahmed Shah created the city on the banks of the Sabarmati, and it has been governed under several laws. It is recognized for its abundance of historical sites, which provide a window into the region’s rich legacy and culture. The most notable step well in Ahmedabad. It is known alternatively as Adalaj ni vav. Adalaj Stepwell is an ornate feature of the city.
The cool atmosphere and grand construction of the step well will make visitors royal historical vibes.
Visiting the historic monument is an amazing experience, particularly for history lovers. Locals frequently visited the magnificent structure to perform ancient ceremonies.
A striking sandstone structure with a square stepped platform leads to a deep well below.
Stepwes were very popular in the past since they provided drinking water and other home necessities. They are popular, especially in Gujarat’s semi-arid regions, and are known as vav in Gujarati and baali in Rajisthaani. Many people came to the Adalaj water festival to see the renowned musician’s outstanding performance.
History of Adalaj Stepwell
In semi-arid areas of the country, notably along trade routes, stepwells or stepped ponds were typically constructed. Many pilgrims and travelling traders used these structures as their resting places, as well as to store monsoon rainwater.
Queen Rudabai, Rana Veer Singh’s wife and an integral part of Ahmedabad’s history. She ordered the construction of the Adalaj Step Well in 1948. He was the monarch of the little Dandai Desh kingdom.
According to folklore, there was a severe water shortage in the realm. So Rana Veer Singh, the monarch, decided to construct a sizable stepwell. The king began the building project but was unable to finish it since he was killed fighting Gujarat’s Mahmud Begada, the sultan.
Queen Rudrabai was the object of Mahmud Begada’s devotion. And he desired to wed her. However, the queen agreed to the plan as long as Mahmud finished building the step well. When the vav was finished, queen Rudabai invited a few saints to bathe in the water, turning it into a holy well. She perished after falling into the vav.
Mahmud Begada ordered the execution of the six masons who worked on building the stepwell because he did not want a duplicate of it. Their graves can be located close to the stepwell.The first floor has a marble slab with a sanskrit inscription that describes the history of this incredible architectural structure.According to the report, the building cost was approximately 5,00,111 tanks, or five lakhs.
Architecture of Adalaj Stepwell
The magnificent structure, a five-story stepwell, is significant because it has gods etched on its walls. It is thought that residents of the village go to the stepwell to pray to the gods. At the vav’s entrance, a temple may be found.
The ceiling of the wonderfully beautiful historical building, which is octagonal in shape, has a gap through which light can enter.This amazing building was constructed so that the step well has a temperature that is almost 6 degrees lower than the surrounding air.
The stepwell has three stairs that lead up to it.A remarkable pot known as the Ami khumbor and the tree of life known as the kalpavriksha, both sculpted from a single stone, are featured in a stunning example of Indo-Islamic architectural style and design.
The navgraha at the bottom of the well, which is a remarkable aspect of the building and is thought to guard the historic site from evil spirits, is another noteworthy aspect.Visitors would enjoy watching the first-floor windows’ stunning views.
A large number of pillars support the stepwell’s octagonal shape.There was enough room for parties on every floor.A deep step well was excavated as part of a well-planned effort to ensure that there would be enough water storage to prevent famine during a dry spell.
From the first floor, there are three staircases that people can use to descend.Floral motifs adorn the walls, and the exquisite carvings depict a variety of striking scenes, including hindu deities, elephants, flowers, fish, leaves, birds, and miniature turrents.
In this famous piece of architecture, jain, hindu, floral, and geometric designs coexist harmoniously with islamic, geometric, and floral designs.
ladies conversing with one another and being ignored by the monarch, dancers, musicians, and ladies churning buttermilk are a few additional notable cravings.
How to reach Adalaj Stepwell
The Adalaj Step Well is located 18 kilometres from Kalupur Railway Station in Ahmedabad. Rail, road, and air transport provide convenient access to Gujarat’s official capital from several regions of the nation. Sardar Vallabhai Patel Airport in Ahmedabad is 15 kilometres away from the iconic stepwell.
From either the kalupur or paldi bus stop, buses can be boarded. Three to four kilometres separate Gandhinagar from the stepwell. To get to the historic site from the railway station or the airport’s main bus stop, people can take a local taxi, cab or bus. You can also rent a private automobile from one of the best car rental companies in Ahmedabad and travel comfortably to all the city’s main tourist attractions.
Entry fees and timing of Adalaj step well
There is no entrance fee for visiting the stepwell at Adalaj ni Vav, which is open from 8 am to 6 pm every day.
Nearby places to visit
Ahmedabad one mall(Alpha mall)
Ahmedabad One Mall is a humming centre of retail and leisure that is hidden in the heart of Gujarat’s energetic city. This expansive mall offers a seamless fusion of modernism and cultural charm while boasting a broad selection of stores, restaurants, and entertainment opportunities. Ahmedabad One Mall is a leading spot for shopping and leisure in the area thanks to its warm atmosphere and unique mix of international and local businesses.
Gujarat Vidyapith
It is located in Ahmedabad, is a well-known institution founded in 1920 by Mahatma Gandhi. It exemplifies Gandhiji’s ideal of giving education based on ndian culture and customs. This institution promotes self-sufficiency, integrity, and nonviolence, representing the ideals of the Father of the Nation.
Manek Chowk
It is a bustling square in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, known for its lively street market and mouth-watering food stalls. By day, it’s a bustling jewellery market with a wide selection of fine decorations. However, once the sun sets, the location transforms into a bustling food wonderland, presenting a wide variety of gastronomic pleasures ranging from traditional Gujarati meals to delicious street food.
Sidi Saiyyed Mosque
The Sidi Saiyyed Mosque in Ahmedabad, India, is a well-known architectural masterpiece that symbolises the city’s rich cultural legacy. It was built in 1573 and is famed for its elaborate lattice stone windows known as the “Sidi Saiyyed Jali,” which highlight an outstanding blend of Islamic and Indo-Saracenic architectural styles. This mosque is a tribute to its artisans’ superb craftsmanship and is regarded as an iconic symbol of Ahmedabad’s historical and architectural significance.
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