The Queen's Stepwell:



Patan: We often come across various advertisements of #GujaratTourism. The state is blessed with various natural and man made wonders ,and the Queen's stepwell is a colourful feather in that hat . The #UNESCOWorldHeritageSite is situated in the Patan district of Gujarat .


Nearest train stations are Siddhpur/ Unjha/ Mahesena . Ahmedabad is around 130 km from Patan , frequent bus and train service is available . From Patan bus stand the Queen's Stepwell is around 3.5 kilometers , and auto charge is around ₹20 per passenger . The Stepwell is an ASI protected monument and ticket cost for an INDIAN is ₹20(online) and ₹25 if bought from the counter .

Provision of drinking water and washroom is available . It has received the award of the #CleanesetIconicPlace . Rani Udayamati of Solanki kingdom built this Stepwell in memory of her loving husband King Bhima-I .

Western India recieves very scanty rainfall . For water preservation , plenty of Stepwells were dug . Among them Rani ki Vav is the most famous in India , and in the world owing to it's UNESCO World Heritage status . The intricate designs in the walls of the Stepwell boasts it's beauty . It was completely submerged under the earth as a result of severe flooding and silting of the once flown river Saraswati . It has been restored in the 20th century , and even with it's damaged form this one thousand years old marvel never fails to amaze it's spectators .



Just half a kilometers from the #Queen'sStepwell lies another ancient site of the same time #SahastralingaTalav . This water tank channelized , cleansed and conserved the water from river Saraswati . Thousands of shivlings adorned the water channels and hence the name . Initially it was known as DurlavSarovar after the Solanki king Durlav who built the water tank . The durability of the remains of the water tank and the knowledge of science behind building this enginnering marvel is absolutely beyond any words of praise . Akbar's most trusted general Bairam Khan was murdered over here .

Our last stop for the day was at the #PanchasaraParshwanathJainDerasar . The white marble exudes tranquility and the detailed carvings of various gods and mythological characters , rejuvenated the tiredness .. #RaniKiVav #Queen'sStepwell #UNESCOWorldHeritageSite #ShahastralingaTalav #PanchasaraParshwanathJainDerasar #GujaratTourism #IncredibleIndia .. This video is created by joint efforts of Sudeshna Thakur and Sudip Sen .. #sudipsense@gmail.com