Todays Special

Dada Hari Vav

Dada Hari Vav

Dada Hari Vav

 

Built during the reign of MehmudBegda in the year 1501, Dada HariVav is an elaborately designed stepped well. The well lies just behind the tomb of Dada Hari. It is one of the most complicated structures of the Ahmedabad city. The basic purpose of setting up the well was to provide the travelers with cool water and a place for relaxation. To know more about the Dade HariVav in Ahmedabad, India.
 

History

 

The stepwell was built in 1845 by Muslim king Sultan BaiHarir. A Sanskrit inscription at Dada HariniVav says that the seven-storey step-well was built in 1500 AD. It was during the reign of Mahmud Shah that BaiHarirSultani, locally known as Dada Hari, built the step-well. Sultani was the superintendent of the royal harem. The building, with beautiful carvings all over, cost 329,000 Mahmudis (more than Rs1 lakh) at that time. The ornate step-well has spiral staircases pieced into the sidewall of the well shaft and descending to the different platform levels.
 

Construction

 

Dada HariVav 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 stone work of Gujarat, the well has been drawing more and more tourists year after year. While designing this stepped well, adequate attention was paid to its each and every detail. This is indicative from the fact that, right from pillars to walls to steps, everything has been beautifully decorated. The Dada Haristepwell is five stories deep. Each floor is spacious enough to provide for people to congregate. It was dug deep to access ground water at that level, accounting for seasonal fluctuations in water 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. Built along a North-South axis, entrance is from the South, the staircases are from the South, West and East directions leading to the landing, which is on the well. The structural system is typically Indian style with traditional trabeat with horizontal beams and lintels. At the bottom of the well is a square stepped floor in the shape of a funnel extending to the lowest plane. This is chiseled into a circular well. Above the square floor, columns, beams, wall and arched openings spiral around; a feature that continues to the top. The top part of the well, however, is a vertical space open to the sky. The four corners of the square are strengthened with stone beams, set at 45 degrees angle. The motifs of flowers and graphics of Islamic architecture blend very well with the symbols of Hindu and Jain gods carved at various levels of the well. The dominant carvings on the upper floors are of elephants (3 inches (76 mm) in size, each of different design). The Islamic architectural style could be attributed to the Muslim king Sultan BaiHarir who built it.The temperature inside the well is said to be about five degrees lower than the outside hot summer temperatures. This encouraged the women who came to fetch water to spend more time in the cool climes here. They stayed to worship the gods and goddesses and gossip. A tribute paid to the rich underground structures, which are intricately decorated with sculptures, is that they are said to resemble palaces.
 

Address &Visiting Hour

 

Haripura, Asarwa, Ahmedabad

Every day from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm