Rani-ki-Vav : Queen of Step Wells joins UNESCO World Heritage List

Rani-ki-Vav :

Queen of Step Wells joins UNESCO World Heritage List

On a recent work visit to Gujarat, I had a spare day in hand at Ahmedabad and wanted to make the best use of it.  When my colleague Jagdishbhai suggested that Rani-ki-Vav at Patan and the Sun Temple at Modhera could be covered as a day trip, there were no two arguments.  I had read about the splendour of Gujarat’s famed step-wells and seen a short episode of Rani-ki-Vav on NDTV’s 7 Wonders of India series. A quick Google search revealed that the Indian Government had submitted Rani-ki-Vav for inclusion in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Monuments. Rani-ki-Vav was also quite well promoted on television by Amitabh Bachhan in the Gujarat Tourism’s ‘Khushboo Gujarat ki’ campaign. 

After a two hour drive through a well paved road, going past Kalol, Unjha and Mehsana, we arrived in the bustling little town of Patan, once the capital of Gujarat.  Even as the sun played hide and seek, we reached a large ground with a vague board of Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) that announced the step well.  But we could see nothing, except vast stretches of well mowed lawn, with shady trees in between.  That was because the master-piece lay underneath.

This subterranean splendour, better known as Rani-ki-Vav is about 64 metres long, 20 metres wide and 27 metres deep.  It was originally constructed of seven stories of which five are now preserved.  As we kept going down the steps, we found ourselves in a different world.  The next one hour was pure bliss. 

Rani-ki-vav is a highly decorated monument with ornamented panels of sculptures and reliefs representing the height of Maru-Gurjara style of architecture. Most of the sculptures are in devotion of Vishnu, in the forms of Dashavatar, with eye-catching images of Varaha, Narasimha, Rama and Kalki. There is a particularly beautiful statue of Mahishasur-Mardini -the Mother Goddess slaying demon Mahishasur. Apsaras – the celestial beauties showcasing 16 different styles of makeup (Solah Singar) is another highlight.   Near the water level, you come to a carving of Sheshashayi Vishnu, in which the lord reclines on the thousand-hooded serpent Shesha.

Till 2001, the visitors could go right up to the end of step-well where the water is. But during the Bhuj earthquake, the structure became somewhat weak and the ASI has now prohibited entry beyond a point.  But this decision, in no way hinders you from viewing the delicate works that depict rhythm, beauty and various moods, all in stone.

The intricacy of this monument at once reminds us of the sanctity our ancestors attached to water.  The Vavs of Gujarat are not merely sites for collecting water and socialising, but also hold great spiritual significance.  They were originally constructed quite simply as kunds, but became more intricate over the years, perhaps to make explicit this ancient concept of the sanctity of water.  Befetting its name, Rani-ki-Vav is considered to be the queen among step wells in India.

While we have innumerable monuments built by Kings in memory of their queens, Rani-ki-Vav is different. It is believed to have been  built by Rani Udaymati, in memory of her husband Bhimdev I, the founder of the Solanki dynasty of Patan. The construction began in 1063 AD and continued for several years. A reference to Udayamati building the monument for Bhimdev I is in the ‘Prabandha Chintamani’, composed by Merung Suri in 1304 A.D.  The Vav was later flooded by the Saraswati river and silted over until 1960s, when it was excavated by the Archaeological Survey of India.  It is estimated that Vav had nearly 800 sculptures of which approximately 500 are found in pristine condition.

Rani-ki-Vav is a well preserved monument and ASI deserves to be complimented for the good work. Besides continuing the conservation efforts, ASI has also got the monument digitally mapped with the Scottish help.  The detailed 3D digital survey prepared by the Scottish Ten Initiative will help better understanding of the heritage monument and aid its preservation.

Rani-ki-Vav has always been a pride of Gujarat. It was in 2012 that an ASI team led by former Superintendent Archaeologist of Vadodara Circle, K C Nauriyal, had prepared a dossier for the step-well for UNESCO’s approval.   UNESCO’s WHC advisory team, led by Professor Zhang Jie of Tsinghua University, China, visited Patan and conducted detailed study of the monument.  It even talked to locals on how they perceived the step-well and what it meant to them.

Finally, on June 22, 2014, UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee at its 38^th session in Doha inscribed ‘Rani-ki-Vav’ as a World Heritage Monument.  UNESCO observed “stepwells are a distinctive form of subterranean water resource and storage systems on the Indian subcontinent, and have been constructed since the 3^rd millennium BC. They evolved over time from what was basically a pit in sandy soil towards elaborate multi-storey works of art and architecture. Rani-ki-Vav was built at the height of craftsmens’ ability in stepwell construction reflecting mastery of this complex technique and great beauty of detail and proportions.”

Within minutes of Rani Ki Vav  being added to the UNESCO World Heritage list, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted  “It is a matter of great pride for us. Next time you visit Gujarat, you must visit Rani Ki Vav, an excellent symbol of our great art and culture.” 

Surely, when you emerge out of Rani-ki-Vav, you return with a whole new understanding about wells. That wells are not always dark, deep and mysterious; in Gujarat they are also exquisite monuments. And in case of Rani-ki-Vav, a living testimony to the artistry of 11^th century Solanki artisans.

Visiting Patan :

Patan is approximately 125 kms from Ahmedabad via Mehsana.  Inter-city buses take about 3.5 hours, while a private taxi takes you there in less than 2.5 hours.  Shared jeeps are also available, but they are less comfortable.  Nearest railhead is Mehsana, from where you will have to travel by road.

It is best to visit Patan as a day trip from Ahmedabad, combining the famous Modhera Sun Temple, also built during the 11^th century.

Manish Desai is Director (Communication) at PIB Mumbai

Photo courtesy : author and ASI. 

On Earth Day, These Photos Remind Us Just How Little We Know Of The Planet We Call Home

From The Huffington Post  | by  Nick Wing

Posted: 04/22/2014 10:08 am EDT Updated: 04/23/2014 8:59 am EDT

Happy Earth Day! Every year on April 22, the world celebrates this amazingly diverse planet we call home, focusing on ways to protect it from the often destructive practices of its human inhabitants. While many of these efforts focus on the conservation of Earth's most fragile habitats, we frequently forget just how extreme and alien-like our own planet can be. The photos below showcase Earth's unbelievably varying landscapes and remind us that we often live our lives confined only to a minuscule part of this amazing planet.

Giant's Causeway, Northern Ireland

This strange landscape was formed around 50 to 60 million years ago. The geometric features are actually basalt columns that fractured into these shapes after a volcanic eruption, though legend has it that they're the remnants of an ancient road built by a giants. (Photo: Education Images/UIG via Getty Images)

Svartifoss, Iceland

The same type of features are found here, in Iceland, where they play host to a frigid waterfall.

Fingal's Cave

And here, on the island of Staffa, in Scotland.

Sahara Desert, Libya

Shifting textures of the sand in the Sahara Desert, the largest sand desert in the world at over 3,600,000 square miles, somehow resemble human features.

Sand Dune, Namibia

This massive dune in the Namib Desert blocks light to one side of the slope, showcasing a stark contrast in an often unchanging desert landscape.

Skeleton Coast, Namibia

On the west coast of Africa, the desert and its dunes run right up to the Atlantic Ocean. (Photo: David Yarrow Photography via Getty Images)

Grand Prismatic Spring, Wyoming

The bacteria and microbial mats that thrive in this naturally heated pool change colors depending on the temperature of the waters.

Abraham Lake, Alberta, Canada

Frozen ice bubbles are seen trapped beneath the surface of a lake.

Ice Cave, Washington State

Melting and refreezing has created an alien-like texture on the ceiling of this cave.

Lake Baikal, Russia

Thick cracks are seen in the ice of Lake Baikal, the deepest and largest freshwater lake in the world in terms of volume. The lake plummets to nearly a mile deep in one of its basins.

The Wave, Arizona

   

This iconic sandstone rock formation is the result of millions of years of erosion by water and now primarily wind.

Bryce Canyon, Utah

These jagged red rocks form the spectacular Bryce Canyon amphitheaters. The widely varying topography was formed by weathering and erosion of less resilient sedimentary layers.

Canyonlands National Park, Utah

Millions years of erosion have carved a wide variety of gorgeous features into this vibrant landscape.

Chocolate Hills, Philippines

More than 1,700 of these grass-topped limestone hills may dot the Bohol Province in the Philippines, millions of years after being weathered by erosion. The domes range in size from around 100 feet to 160 feet tall. (Photo: Per-Andre Hoffmann via Getty Images)

The Pinnacles, Australia

These ominous limestone formations are a big draw in Western Australia. While science has come to an agreement that they are made of the remnants of sea life at the bottom of what was once a vast ocean, there are some conflicting theories about why these specific spires are so far above ground. (Photo: Richard I'Anson via Getty Images)

Zhangjiajie, China

The renowned pillars in Hunan Zhangjiajie National Forest Park are the subject of both Chinese art and Western cinematography. The spires served as an inspiration for the alien world in the blockbuster film "Avatar."

Nubra Valley, India

This desert-scape high on the Tibetan Plateau is home to some of the most stunning slopes you'll find on Earth.

Tsingy de Bemaraha National Park, Madagascar

Erosion has carved the land on this part of the African island into a remarkable stone forest. Much of the wildlife found in this area lives nowhere else in the world. (Photo: Haja Rasambainarivo via Getty Images)

Mono Lake, California

With no access to freshwater, the water in this shallow lake is highly salty and alkaline, a result of the erosion of minerals that make up the surrounding geologic layers. Beginning in the middle of the 20th century, Los Angeles began diverting water from Mono Lake for use. It drained much of the lake's waters, exposing the now-iconic tufa towers seen in the photo above.

Mount Nyiragongo Volcano, Congo

At least 34 eruptions have been recorded at this highly active volcano since 1882. It contains the largest known lava lake in the world.

Lava Flow, Hawaii

Molten lava from the Kilauea Volcano streams toward the ocean. (Photo: G. Brad Lewis via Getty Images)

Volcano, Iceland

Runoff from a volcano flows down a bed and into the water.

Er Wang Dong Cave, China

This enormous cave in central China is so large that it houses its own weather system -- meaning clouds and rain can appear below ground.

Death Valley, California

A storm moves in over the salt flats in barren California.

Uyuni Salt Flats, Bolivia

The Salar de Uyuni are the largest salt flats in the world. The near-uniform topography makes for amazing sight-lines and great photo-ops.

More Uyuni Salt Flats

Though photographers don't always use human subjects. (Photo: Art Wolfe via Getty Images)

Dallol Volcano, Ethiopia

At 150 feet below sea level, this is the lowest known volcano on land. Acidic discharge from the geologic activity has bleached the land in all sorts of extreme colors.

A Closeup Of Dallol Deposits

Round 50 years ago, a mining settlement of the same name was occupied just a few miles from this harsh terrain in Ethiopia.                                                      It was abandoned in the 1960s, though holds records for being one of the hottest continuously inhabited places on Earth.

The Richat Structure, Mauritania

This enigmatic geological feature in the heart of the Sahara desert (seen here from space) has been the subject of much debate among scientists. Once thought to be an impact crater, geologists now consider it to be a deeply collapsed dome that was initially formed around 100 million years ago.

ReBorn by Manoj Maurya, Exhibition opened at nehruc centre Art Gallery on 10th June 2014

Lights, Action & Art

Last evening saw the inauguration of a unique painting exhibition that encompassed all the elements of art- paintings, music and films. The exhibition titled ReBORN by Manoj Maurya was open to public amidst colorful inauguration, music launch and screening of the film on ReBORN at Nehru Centre Art Gallery. When asked about the reason for blending music and film with paintings, artist Manoj Maurya said that I want to connect masses with visual arts and paintings. Music and Films as forms of art easily assimilate within the masses and provide them an opportunity to connect easily to art. Speaking about ReBORN paintings, Manoj says, “The philosophy of ReBORN has chosen me to decipher its essence to the world through my art. Each painting unfolds secrets of this universal truth.”

The guests present at the gallery were absorbed discovering their interpretations of paintings and interacting with Manoj to decode his thoughts behind the paintings. Dolly Thakore, renowned Indian theatre actress feels, “The evolving of the paintings and their mindset represent highly intellectual strings and a new interactive style of art.” Veteran Actor Suren Rajan who is known for his performances in The Legend of Bhagat Singh (2002), Phas Gaye Re Obama (2010) and Munnabhai M.B.B.S. (2003) was thoroughly enthralled with the paintings and found them deeply intriguing and thought provoking.

The Painting Exhibition is on till 16^th June, 2014 at Nehru Centre Art Gallery, Mumbai.

A series of paintings on ReBORN has been created by Manoj Maurya, artist and thinker which is decoding this universal truth through the language of visuals.

As an artist, Manoj Maurya has been forerunner in elevating the essence of painting from being just a form of expression to a more encompassing form of mass participation. He firmly believes that art should engage the audience, interact with them and be more instrumental for the society rather than limiting to just artists' self expressions.

Through his painting exhibition ReBORN, Manoj wants to create a spiritual revolution within each one of us which will bring us closer to our inner strength and help us find solutions to the perpetual questions facing us. Manoj feels ReBORN is the answer to the crisis, the world is facing. http://www.manojmaurya.com/Home.html

Manoj firmly believes that painting as an art form should increase its reach and penetration within the society and involve general masses alike.http://www.manojmaurya.com/Common_Myths_Related_to_Paintings-Myth%202.html. He is actively involved in the task of creating appreciation of arts and aesthetics within audiences who do not have formal art background. He finds Music as the most easily assimilated form of art within the masses. Hence, he has spearheaded ReBORN music album to increase masses’ connectivity with visual arts.

As an effort to reach out to masses, ReBORN painting exhibition is reaching to every sector of the society. During the exhibition, we are having special screening organized for Blind people, AutoRickshaw Drivers & underprivileged children belonging to Asha Kiran NGOs. Through ReBORN, we want social inclusion of all sections of the society within the art & cultural scene & raise the creative quotient of the society.