Location:

Patan, Gujarat

List:

World Heritage List

Criteria:

(i) & (iv)

Year of Inscription:

2014

This 11th-century stepwell in Patan Gujarat was initially built as a memorial. A fine amalgamation of functionality and spirituality, designed as a unique inverted temple celebrating the water's sanctity. The stepwell features a wealth of sculptures, geometric patterns, floral designs, and stylized representations of animals carved into its walls and pillars.

Associated Living Heritage

The latticework patterns on the Rani-ki-Vav resemble the geometric motifs commonly seen in the local Patola textiles, suggesting a shared artistic tradition and influence between the stepwell's architecture and the region's renowned textile heritage.

This interplay between the sculptural and textile arts reflects the rich cultural tapestry of Patan, where the architectural masterpiece of Rani-ki-Vav and the celebrated Patola sarees both draw from common artistic expressions rooted in the local community predating the creation of the stepwell itself.

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