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Rani Ka Vav, Patan
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Patan
Dusty roads dotted by occasional
camels harking back to the halcyon days of Rajputana, shimmering heat beating
down mercilessly on the heritage structures all around….Patan offered me a
glory sight that day.
Located in North Gujarat, Patan was
the ancient capital of Gujarat region and had been continuously inhabited since
times immemorial. The city in it’s current form, formerly known as Anhilwahara
was first attributed to Vanraj Chavda in c.8th Century CE. For the
next few centuries, it was the capital of Chavdas, Solanki Rajputs / Chalukyas
and Vaghelas. Patan is famous for the Patola Ikat sarees, a rich, ornate,
artistic and crafty tradition that is now the preserve of only one
family.
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skull club weilding apsara
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Lip Gloss or Lip Stick ?
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Varaha Avatar
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The most interesting monument of the
city is the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Rani Ka Vav also known as Nani Ka Vav
/ The Queen's step-well along with the adjacent Sahasraling Talav. Sourcing
water was always a difficult prospect in the semi arid parched lands of North
Gujarat. Step-wells, commissioned at selected places to tap into deep aquifers
are a popular choice. Rani Ka Vav is the best example. It is attributed to
Queen Consort Rani Udayamati, former princess of Saurashtra, in memory of her
beloved husband, Bhima I of Solanki Rajputs / Chalukyas of Anhilwara in c.11th
Century CE. The exquisite carvings and sculptures, rich pillar work,
deceptively simple steps all add to the beauty and grandeur of this monument, a
symbol of love and resolve of the benevolent queen. Many historical works like
those of Jain monks viz Merutunga vouch to this impressive and intricate
step-well.
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Parashurama Avatar
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Vamana Avatar
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An Apsara
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Modhera
Located around 36 kms from Patan en
route the famous Becharji shrine, and around 30 kms away from the district
headquarters of Mahesana, Modhera was recently declared as India's first
complete round the clock (24*7) solar electrified village. It is famous for the
ruins of the impressive Sun Temple, attributed to Maru-Gurjara Architecture,
and associated with Bhima I of Solanki Rajputs / Chalukyas of Anhilwara (c.11th
Century CE).
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Surya Kund, Modhera
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Modhera Sun Temple
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The Sun temple has rich, ornate
carvings depicting themes from Ramayana and Mahabharata. The large tank, Surya
Kund is impressive feature. The Gudha-Mandpa is a terrific structure. The
invading forces of Sultan Sebuktigin Mahmud of Ghazan clashed with the Solanki
Rajputs near the temple, due to which the temple was partially destroyed.
However, the temple lost it's prominence after the raids of Khiljis in c.13th
Century CE.
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Surya / Arka, Modhera
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Pillar work, Modhera
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Me at Rani Ka Vav, Patan
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Maheeth Veluvali,
16 Saladi Jamindar Street,
Palakollu,
October 2022
