Vithalbhai Haveli is a ''

haveli A ''haveli'' is a traditional townhouse, mansion, manor house, in the Indian subcontinent, usually one with historical and architectural significance, and located in a town or city. The word ''haveli'' is derived from Arabic ''hawali'', mean ...

'' (mansion) in

Vaso Vaso is a village located in Kheda district of Gujarat, India. The ZIP Code, zip code is 387380. Places of interest Vithalbhai Haveli is a of late 18th century ''haveli'' with beautifully carved wooden pillars, frames, beams, ceilings and do ...

, Kheda district,

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. It was built in late 19th century. It has four floors with beautifully carved wooden pillars, window frames, beams, ceilings and doors.

History

The ''haveli'' is an example of late 19th century civil architecture of the state. It was built in 1872. The ''haveli'' was restored between 1999 and 2001. It is the Monument of National Importance (N-GJ-142).

Architecture

The ''haveli'' is a large mansion raised on a square platform. It is a four storeyed building built with wooden pillars and beams with spaces between them filled with bricks and plastered with lime to create walls. The wooden structures along with wooden doors, windows and balconies are finely carved. The main entrance, street-facing front facade with its balconies and pillars are very attractively carved. The main entrance has a

Ganesha Ganesha ( sa, गणेश, ), also known as Ganapati, Vinayaka, and Pillaiyar, is one of the best-known and most worshipped deities in the Hindu pantheon and is the Supreme God in Ganapatya sect. His image is found throughout India. Hindu d ...

carved in the centre of the lintel. The open central courtyard of the ''haveli'' is surrounded by the ''

verandah A veranda or verandah is a roofed, open-air gallery or porch, attached to the outside of a building. A veranda is often partly enclosed by a railing and frequently extends across the front and sides of the structure. Although the form ''veran ...

'' with pillars. The courtyard has an underground tank for storing rainwater. There are two large vestibules and thirteen rooms of various sizes on the ground floor. The interior pillars has a stone bases and the wooden capitals and brackets which are finely carved with floral and geometric patterns. The frames of the lattice windows of the ground floor are carved with various patterns and has paintings of various Hindu deities including

Krishna Krishna (; sa, कृष्ण ) is a major deity in Hinduism. He is worshipped as the eighth avatar of Vishnu and also as the Supreme god in his own right. He is the god of protection, compassion, tenderness, and love; and is one ...

and

Vishnu Vishnu ( ; , ), also known as Narayana and Hari, is one of the principal deities of Hinduism. He is the supreme being within Vaishnavism, one of the major traditions within contemporary Hinduism. Vishnu is known as "The Preserver" within t ...

. The main hall on the first floor has a well decorated wooden ceiling. The other rooms on the first floor have false ceilings with floral, geometric and various other patterns. The ceiling of the hall on the second floor is profusely carved with some floral patterns inlaid with ivory. The balconies of these first and second floors is supported by wooden struts and brackets carved in shapes of animals. The top floor is open on three sides, except south. The rooms on this floor has a frontal hall with decorated arches and brackets. There are beautifully carved rings for a swing.

References

{{reflist Buildings and structures completed in 1872 Tourist attractions in Kheda district Havelis