Adi Kadi Vav or Adi Chadi Vav is a
stepwell
Stepwells (also known as vavs or baori) are wells or ponds with a long corridor of steps that descend to the water level. Stepwells played a significant role in defining subterranean architecture in western India from 7th to 19th century. So ...
in
Uparkot Fort
Uparkot is a fort located in east side of Junagadh, Gujarat, India.
History
A fort and town was established at the foothills of Girnar hill during reign of the Maurya Empire and continued to be used during Gupta period, but it lost its importance ...
,
Junagadh
Junagadh () is the headquarters of Junagadh district in the Indian state of Gujarat. Located at the foot of the Girnar hills, southwest of Ahmedabad and Gandhinagar (the state capital), it is the seventh largest city in the state.
Literally t ...
,
Gujarat
Gujarat (, ) is a state along the western coast of India. Its coastline of about is the longest in the country, most of which lies on the Kathiawar peninsula. Gujarat is the fifth-largest Indian state by area, covering some ; and the ninth ...
, India. The date of its construction is uncertain.
History
According to Junagadh district administration website, the stepwell was constructed in 15th century.
Other sources says that it was constructed in second half of the 10th century or in 11th century during the rule of
Chudasama dynasty.
Another source says that it was constructed in 319 BCE and rediscovered in 976 CE.
According to local historian Parimal Rupani, there were two separate stepwells. It is the Adi stepwell and the Kadi stepwell is still buried, according to him.
It is a
state protected monument (S-GJ-114).
Architecture
Adi Kadi Vav is a Nanda type of stepwell.
It is not built but carved out of solid natural rock. There is a flight of 166 steps in a narrow corridor to reach well shaft.
A small window is carved in the thin rock layer above the well.
The rock strata is visible in the eroded walls.
The well is 123 feet deep.
There is no ornamentations, shafts or pillars as in other stepwells.
Popular culture
According to a legend about its name, when the stepwell was constructed, no water was found. But on instruction of the royal priest, two unmarried girls named Adi and Kadi were sacrificed and the water was found. Another legend tells that Adi and Kadi were the royal maids who fetched water from the stepwell every day.
People hangs cloths and bangles on the tree nearby to commemorate them.
There is a proverb in Gujarati: ().
Gallery
File:Adi kadi vav - Junagadh -Gujrat-DSC0002.jpg, Steps leading to well
File:Adi kadi vaav poster.jpg, Information board
File:Adi Kadi Vav 03.jpg, From outside
See also
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Navghan Kuvo
Navghan Kuvo is a stepwell in Uparkot Fort, Junagadh, Gujarat, India.
History
Navghan Kuvo is named after the Chudasama king Ra Navaghana. The forecourt to reach the well was probably built during his reign in 11th century. It is believed to have ...
*
Stepwell
Stepwells (also known as vavs or baori) are wells or ponds with a long corridor of steps that descend to the water level. Stepwells played a significant role in defining subterranean architecture in western India from 7th to 19th century. So ...
*
Rani ki vav
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History of stepwells in Gujarat Stepwells are wells in which the water is reached by steps. They are most commonly found in western India especially Gujarat where over 120 such wells are reported. The origin of the stepwell may be traced to reservoirs of the cities of the Indu ...
References
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Stepwells in Gujarat
Junagadh
Tourist attractions in Junagadh district
Rock-cut architecture