Description:
Besides mosques and tombs, the other most notable thing about the city are its step-wells (vav). The stepped well is one the finest example of Gujarati architecture. The main wells are reached through steps and all around them there are decoration of the columns, curved brackets and lintels, highly elaborate with repeated friezes and ornamentation of animal motifs and deities.
The Adalaj Step Well, located on outskirts of Ahemedabad, was built in 1499 A.D. by Ruda Rani, wife of Raja Virsing, a Vaghela Rajput. It has an entrance from three sides with open colonnades of increasing height and complexity rise over the staircase landings. Before the main well is reached, there is open octagonal surrounded by galleries on four levels with circular well at the bottom. The Dada Hari Vav was built in 1501. It has a flight of steps leading down to lower and lower platform terminating at a small, octagonal well. These wells are cool even on the hottest of the days and make a good resting places and providing drinking water for the weary travelers.
