A Stepwell Fit For a King, Built By a Queen

Rani Ki Vav is an intricate stepwell tucked 90 feet below ground in the town of Patan in Gujarat, India. Historically, men would construct these grand structures as monuments to their wives; however, Rani Ki Vav is singular for being constructed by a queen in honor of her late husband. The stepwell is designed as an inverted temple, highlighting the sanctity of water. It features over a thousand religious and mythological sculptures, the majority of which are dedicated to the lord Vishnu, the Hindu god responsible for preservation and protection. Today, the stepwell is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site and a reminder of traditions of the past.

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