write a short note on the Adi - kadi stepwell ( Vav ).
Answers
Adi Kadi Vav or Adi Chadi Vav is a stepwell in Uparkot Fort, Junagadh, Gujarat, India. The date of its construction is uncertain.
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 to the 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. It has no ornamentations, shafts or pillars as in other stepwells.
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 everyday. People hangs cloths and bangles on the tree nearby to commemorate them.
There is a proverb in Gujarati: Adi Kadi ni Vav Ane Navghan Kuvo, Je Na Juve Te Jivto Muo (One who have not seen Adi Kadi Vav and Navghan Kuvo, is like living dead).
Adi- Kadi stepwell (Vav)
Explanation:
- Adi- kadi, built in the 15th century , is carved entirely out of hard rock.
- Two different legends claims to explain the name of the well.
- One says that the king ordered a stepwell to be built and workers excavated down into this hard stone, but no water was found.
- Adi- kadi were the unlucky ones chosen for this and after their sacrifices, water was found.
- Adi- kadi Vav or Adi chadi Vav is a stepwell in Uparkot Fort, Junagadh, Gujarat, India.
- A narrow fight of 120 stairs cut down through the stone to meet the well shaft deep in the stone.
- This is one of the unique creation that you must see when you visit Junagadh.
- It is situated in Uparkot Fort.
- it has 162 steps, 81 meters long, 41 meters deep and 4.75 meters wide.