Hidden step wells of Ahmedabad - Dada Hari ni Vav & Mata Bhawani ni Vav

Ahmedabad has two prominent stepwells and both of them are extremely beautiful and wonderful places of visit.

Dada Hari ni Vav is an intricately designed step-well (on the lines of the more famous Adalaj ni Vav) built about 500 years back in the year1501, under the reign of Mehmud Begda. Like most step-wells, this too is designed to store water and provide a resting place for the travelers.

stepwell ahmedabad dada hari ni vav


stepwell ahmedabad dada hari ni vav

stepwell ahmedabad dada hari ni vav

stepwell ahmedabad dada hari ni vav

Bhavin, Risha and I decided to make a trip to this vav on a rather lazy Sunday morning. We located the vav on google (apparently close to Relief Road), but finally found it in an area called Asarva (near the now defunct, yet still famous Asarva Mill). The area is largely poor and looks more like a small town outside Ahmedabad. Finding it was tough, there are no sign boards and very few people even know that it exists.

stepwell ahmedabad dada hari ni vav

stepwell ahmedabad dada hari ni vav
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stepwell ahmedabad dada hari ni vav
Add caption

stepwell ahmedabad dada hari ni vav
stepwell ahmedabad dada hari ni vav

But the vav is an absolute delight! The many storeys are filled with intricately carved walls and columns and the sunlight filtering through makes the place even more beautiful! You can almost go down to the lowest level (not possible in many vavs now a days) and look around.

stepwell ahmedabad dada hari ni vav bhavin mali

stepwell ahmedabad dada hari ni vav

stepwell ahmedabad dada hari ni vav well

stepwell ahmedabad dada hari ni vav

Mehmud Khan, the caretaker, was more then helpful with our questions and in keeping the local urchins away! This video might be a little useful to give an idea of the space.


Just behind the vav is the mosque of Sultani, and something that should just not be missed. In fact there are two structures (the mosque and the tomb) and you can even climb up on both. In the courtyard, there is an opening which is apparently a cave which connects to Kalupur. Right now it looks more like a dumping ground and not exactly very inspiring for the adventurous sort. There are some very small stairs going down somewhere, and I somehow like the idea of such underground connecting pathways.

stepwell ahmedabad dada hari ni vav

stepwell ahmedabad dada hari ni vav

mosque ahmedabad dada hari ni vav

stepwell ahmedabad dada hari ni vav mosque

stepwell ahmedabad dada hari ni vav bhavin mali risha

stepwell ahmedabad dada hari ni vav

stepwell ahmedabad dada hari ni vav

stepwell ahmedabad dada hari ni vav bhavin mali

We later went to another Vav called Mata Bhawani ni Vav, about 20 minutes walk from this one. We actually didn't even know about this one, but since we had time asked the caretaker if we can go anywhere else close by.

stepwell ahmedabad mata bhavani ni vav

stepwell ahmedabad mata bhavani ni vav

stepwell ahmedabad mata bhavani ni vav

The contrast between the two was stark. The first one was sublime and pure, its feel was almost that of a beautiful dead body. Something with a lost wandering soul. However, the second Vav was colorful and lively, and to the extent of being almost gaudy. But it had life. There were people and there were almost living Gods. Can't say which one do I prefer...both had their charm.

stepwell ahmedabad mata bhavani ni vav

stepwell ahmedabad mata bhavani ni vav

stepwell ahmedabad mata bhavani ni vav

stepwell ahmedabad mata bhavani ni vav

This video is from the Mata Bhawani ni Vav.

Comments

  1. hmm i remember, it was a lazy lazy sunday, so much that as far as I remamber, we went there by auto not bikes! and we didnt go there in morning, it was early evening!
    :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. ah i think u r right...it was actually afternoon :) and yes it was a very very lazy sunday...

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thanks for effort in searching and sharing this beautiful lost treasures
    I love visiting stepwells

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thanks for effort in searching and sharing this beautiful lost treasures
    I love visiting stepwells

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thanks for sharing such lovely photos. hope to visit them.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Its not only stepwell but also matri maa's home.
    Maatri maa ni vav.
    Very peace full and very good place beetween city...
    U cant find this at any where.

    ReplyDelete
  7. There are many stepwells near Ahmedabad like adalaj stepwell, Rani ki vav(this one is just beautiful)
    There's also a sun temple near Mehsana and it's worth a look!

    ReplyDelete

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