Quench your thirst for art & history by experiencing the Adalaj Stepwell in Gujarat, arguably the most intriguing structure in the state. While it is a well for all intents and purposes, this structure is nothing short of an underground palace. Moreover, this humongous stepwell has 5 storeys.
The Adalaj Stepwell was created using sandstones in 1499. It’s truly an enticing work of art that depicts Indo-Islamic architecture. What’s just as compelling as the extravagant stepwell itself is its history and the legends surrounding it. Here’s a little about that.
Who Built The Adalaj Stepwell And When?
King Rana Veer Singh is the one who first started the construction of the stepwell back in 1498. He was a part of the Vaghela Dynasty and ruled over a little town called Dandai Desh, the same town which is known Adalaj today. The reason behind building a deep stepwell was because of a water shortage in his kingdom. But before he could complete building the well, he was attacked by a neighboring ruler and killed. Mohammed Begda was the one who then came to power here.
However, Rana Veer Singh’s wife was to commit sati to be with her husband. Somehow, she was convinced against it by Mohammed Begda. He asked her to marry him and she agreed to it on a simple condition – to complete building the stepwell, an act of love, loyalty and kindness towards the people of the kingdom. Her beauty was enough to convince Begda, and the 5-storied stepwell was eventually completed by 1499, thanks to Queen Rudaibai.
Here’s the kicker, Queen Rudaibai eventually ended up killing herself by jumping in the very same well. Now, this part is definitely a legend, accompanied by some others surrounding the stepwell and the masons who helped build it. In any case, this mesmeric monument close to Gandhinagar in Gujarat has truly stood the test of time.
Best Time To Visit Adalaj Stepwell
The Adalaj stepwell is open throughout the year. You can visit anytime and the trip will always be worth it. But if you want to witness a considerable amount of water in the well, the monsoon will be the best time to visit. From a weather point of view, mid-October to March is considered to be the best time to visit. Note that it’s best to visit during noon or when it’s bright outside. That way, the sunlight seeps into the octagonal structure and lights it up from above.
The timings here are 6 am to 6 pm. Visiting the place right before sunrise will definitely be a different experience altogether. You could choose to do that and know how different the stepwell feels in the light of the day and before daybreak.
How To Travel To Adalaj Stepwell?
By Air
The nearest airport is the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad. It’s just around 16 kms away. You can easily get a bus or a cab from here and the journey will also be a short one.
By Train
Gandhinagar Railway Station is the closest to the Adalaj stepwell, around 11 kms away. From there it’s less than a 30-minute drive to reach the stepwell. The other option is Ahmedabad Railway Station, which at around 21 kms away isn’t too far either.
By Road
Be it rickshaws, buses or cabs, transportation by road is easily accessible here. Getting here from Gandhinagar by road is easy with a short journey. The mode of transport you choose depends on your preferences.
What Makes The Adalaj Stepwell Special
The architectural work, the intricate designs and the overall structure of the stepwell are the things that make it so special. There’s an opening at the roof of the stepwell which acts as the source of light and air. It is also constructed keeping in mind the heat of the summers; it is believed that the temperature inside the stepwell is 5° lesser. According to some legends, women would spend a lot of time here during summers when they would visit to get water. It became their chilling spot of sorts.
Another fascinating thing is that the Adalaj stepwell is the only stepwell that has three entrance stairs. Each of them meet on the first floor and this where you can see the octagon-shaped opening on top. One more really cool thing here on the first storey is the windows. You will see small chambers of sorts with really amazing windows that protrude out of the wall. The motifs and carvings on the stones can be really immersive in their own way.
Summing Up
Hope this article has given you a gist of Adalaj Stepwell. If you think that your search bar to explore ends here then you are mistaken, if you take a glance carefully you will spot tourist sites that are picturesque and fun to explore. Sabarmati Ashram, Kankaria Lake, and The Calico Museum of Textiles are a few of the many spots to have a look at.
FAQs
How Many Floors Is The Step Well Of Adalaj?
The Adalaj stepwell descends five storeys deep into the ground. Each floor is spacious enough for groups of people to stand comfortably, and a series of steps takes you from floor to floor.
Who Built Adalaj Stepwell?
King Rana Veer Singh started the construction of the stepwell in 1498 as a solution to the water shortage problem in his kingdom. However, after he was overthrown and killed, the reigning ruler Mohamed Begda completed its construction upon the request of Veer Singh’s beautiful widow.
How Do I Get To Adalaj Stepwell?
You can easily reach the stepwell from Ahmedabad, either from the airport or the railway station. It is easily accessible by road and many buses ply to it. You can also hire a cab to take you there.
