So I’ve been in Ahmedabad for a month and my only excitement about this city was to explore its historical sites as it was named under the world heritage city.
One cannot survive in Ahmedabad because of its extremely hot weather that is 46°c. But my desires could not stop me from checking out this amazing place asarwa Dada Hari ni vav in Ahmedabad.
It was a Sunday morning, quite a sunny day. I and my friends decided to visit ‘Dada Hari ni Vav’ (step well) but they ditched the plan because of the heat. Thus, I decided to go by myself. It took almost half an hour for me to reach there from my home. And the struggle was worth it!
You know there is a moment in your life where you need to go away from all the chaos you have been handling for a long and you decide to leave everything and go somewhere to get peace. Just like that when I arrived at Dada Hari ni Vav, I felt peace. It was so calm and silent, full of light, where you can recharge your mind.
Though, the place inspires a historian, photographer, and thinker in you.https://wildstreakofnature.com/indroda-nature-park-best-place-to-visit-for-kids-near-ahmadabad/
As a historical step well, it is the most complicated structure in Ahmedabad. The place was built during the reign of Mehmud Begda in the year 1501. Dada Hari Vav is an elaborately designed stepped well. The well lies just behind the tomb of Dada Hari. The basic purpose of setting up the well was to provide travelers with cool water and a place for relaxation.
Dada Hari Vav is an octagonal-shaped well, which is located below the ground level. This underground well has been intricately carved in the typical Gujarati designs. Made from fine stonework of Gujarat.
The well bears two inscriptions, one in Sanskrit on the south, and one in Arabic on the north wall, of the first gallery.
The Arabic writing reads:
“This holy and wholesome water; the splendid travelers’ rest-house enclosed on four sides by carved and painted walls, and a grove of fruit trees with their fruit, a well, and a pool of water for the use of man and heist, were built in the reign of the Sultan of the Sultans of the age, established by the grace of God and of the faith, Abul Fath Mahmud Shah, son of Muhammad Shah, son of Ahmed Shah, son of Muhammad Shah, son of Muzaffar Shah the Sultan, may God keep his kingdom. Dated the metropolis of the kingdom the 2nd of Jamadi-ul-awwal in the 26th year of the reign.”
The Sanskrit inscription gives information about the establishment and cost of the stepwell.
Built-in sandstone in Solanki architectural style, the stepwell is five stories deep. Each floor is spacious enough to provide for people to assemble. It was dug deep to access groundwater at that level.
The air and light vents in the roofs at various floors and the landing level are in the form of large openings. From the first story level, three staircases lead to the bottom water level of the well, which is considered a unique feature.
If you are exhausted from regular chores and need a day by yourself to calm your mind Dada Hari ni Vav is the must-visit place. It will take you to ancient times and wake your inner historian up.
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