Rani-ki-Vav

Top choice in Gujarat & Diu

LoginSave

The only real sign of Patan’s former glory is this astoundingly beautiful step-well. Built in 1063 by Rani Udayamati to commemorate her husband, Bhimdev I, the step-well is the oldest and finest in Gujarat and is remarkably preserved. Steps lead down through multiple levels, with lines of carved pillars and more than 800 sculptures, mostly on Vishnu-avatar themes, as well as striking geometric patterns.

You can only descend the steps of one half of the step-well.

There are many remarkable sculptures on the walls and pillars, including some representing the Buddha, as well as saddhus, apsaras (celestial dancers) and priests. Right down in the depths of the well, ask someone to point out the carving of Sheshashayi-Vishnu, in which Vishnu reclines on the thousand-hooded serpent Shesha, sleeping through the infinity between ages.

Inscribed on the Unesco World Heritage list in 2014, the step-well is set in a large, landscaped park in the northwest corner of the city. It's signposted.

Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

  • Sun Temple

    Sun Temple

    19.06 MILES

    Built in 1027 by Bhimdev I, this is one of the greatest monuments of the Solanki dynasty, whose rulers were believed to be descended from the sun. Like…

  • Patan Patola Heritage Museum

    Patan Patola Heritage Museum

    0.41 MILES

    Run by the award-winning Salvi family, this museum is an excellent place to see Patola silk weaving in action. The family has specialised in double-ikat…

  • Panchasara Parshvanath

    Panchasara Parshvanath

    1.02 MILES

    Among more than 100 Jain temples around Patan, this is the largest, with all the domes and sacred carvings your eyes can absorb.

View more attractions

Nearby Gujarat & Diu attractions

1. Patan Patola Heritage Museum

0.41 MILES

Run by the award-winning Salvi family, this museum is an excellent place to see Patola silk weaving in action. The family has specialised in double-ikat…

2. Panchasara Parshvanath

1.02 MILES

Among more than 100 Jain temples around Patan, this is the largest, with all the domes and sacred carvings your eyes can absorb.

3. Sun Temple

19.06 MILES

Built in 1027 by Bhimdev I, this is one of the greatest monuments of the Solanki dynasty, whose rulers were believed to be descended from the sun. Like…

  • placement: superzone
  • path: Destinations/POIs/superzone
  • possible size: [970, 250], [970, 90], [728, 90], [1, 1],
  • targeting: 
    {
  "url": "india/patan/attractions/rani-ki-vav/a/poi-sig/1153652/1329242",
  "destination": "Gujarat-&-Diu",
  "continent": "Asia",
  "country": "India",
  "region": "Gujarat-&-Diu",
  "position": "superzone"
}