Mata Bhavani's Stepwell Explained

Building Name:Mata Bhavani's Stepwell
Map Type:India Ahmedabad##India Gujarat
Location:Asarwa, Ahmedabad
Coordinates:23.0443°N 72.6068°W
State:Gujarat
Municipality:Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation
Functional Status:Active
Architecture:yes
Architecture Type:stepwell
Heritage Designation:Monument of National Importance
ASI Monument No. N-GJ-23

Mata Bhavani's Stepwell or Mata Bhavani ni Vav is a stepwell in Asarwa area of Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India.

History and architecture

Mata Bhavani's stepwell was built in the 11th century during Chaulukya dynasty rule in Gujarat. It is one of the earliest existing examples of stepwells in India. A long flight of steps leads to the water below a sequence of multi-story open pavilions positioned along the east–west axis. The elaborate ornamentation of the columns, brackets and beams are a prime example of how stepwells were used as a form of art.[1] A much later constructed small shrine of Hindu Goddess Bhavani is located in the lower gallery from which the stepwell derived its name.[2] It was built before the establishment of the modern city of Ahmedabad.[3]

The stepwell is 46 metres long and 5.1 metres wide at its entrance. It has three stories and three pavilions. The diameter of the well is 4.8 metres.[4]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Book: Tadgell, Christopher. The History of Architecture in India. 1990. Phaidon Press. London. 0-7148-2960-9.
  2. Book: Gazetteer of the Bombay Presidency: Ahmedabad. Government Central Press. 282–283. 1879.
  3. Web site: Shukla . Rakesh . ક્યારેક લોકોની તરસ છિપાવતા હતા ગુજરાતના આ જળ મંદિરો-માતા ભવાનીની વાવ. gujarati.oneindia.com . 24 June 2014 . gu . 20 November 2016.
  4. Book: Jutta Jain-Neubauer. The Stepwells of Gujarat: In Art-historical Perspective. 1 January 1981. Abhinav Publications. 978-0-391-02284-3. 35–36.