Adalaj Vav—A Stepwell with a Tragic Tale

Thanks to arid regions in western India, we see a lot of stunning vavs (stepwells) in the states of Gujarat and Rajasthan. These vavs were built with the intention of  storing rainwater for longer periods of time. Of all these vavs, the one at Adalaj is of unique importance. The vav’s intrinsic carving is not the only thing spectacular about it; the tale behind its creation is equally striking!

Built in 1499, the vav incorporates design elements from Hindu as well as Islamic architecture. It is the only vav with three different entrances that lead      to the main well. Its  beauty is still intact and the intrinsic details of the carvings have endured through time so beautifully that it still leaves any onlooker astounded.