परिघातील जग

Around 35 km from the majestic Modhera Sun Temple, lies a lesser known jewel of medieval Indian architecture. It is a tribute paid by a queen to honour her husband who was also a great king to his kingdom. Now awarded the status of UNESCO world heritage site, Rani Udaymati ni vav or simply called 'Rani ni Vav' has now gained the place of pride in our culture. The story of the Vav is equally mesmerizing. After having ruled ably and kindly, the king departs for heavenly abode. Wanting to create something in his memory, the queen orders construction of a stepwell on the outskirts of the capital Patan. The well is constructed on the banks of river Saraswati that used to flow freely at that time. After a century, however, there is a massive flood in the river, and the river carries the mud, debris and flood waters in the vaav, completely burrying it..This, however, turns out to be the blessing in disguise as the vaav is protected from any desecretion by the plundering invading armie...

Around 1020 AD, the earstwhile king of Gujarat, Maharaj Bhimdev I Solanki, who was also a great patron of art, craftsmanship and science decided to build a temple having confluence of all three at one place. The place he selected for the construction was a special one. The tropic of cancer passed through that place making it a unique location. It was also conveniently close to the capital of his kingdom, Patan (abbreviation of gujarati word 'patnagar' which literally means 'the capital') Taking advantage of the city's unique geological feature, approximately 200 years before before the Konark Sun Temple came into existence, the Modhera sun temple got crafted under his patronage. It was a lyrical tribute to the concept of 'time' and to the Sun - the god of time. A monument so powerful that it has proudly withstood the tests of weather, plunder and invasions for centuries. A monument so breathtaking that it still continues to enthrall the visitors even after a...