Brahma Vav is a stepwell in Khedbrahma, Gujarat, India. It was built in 14th century.
| Brahma Vav | |
|---|---|
 Stepwell from outside | |
 | |
| General information | |
| Type | Stepwell |
| Architectural style | Indian architecture |
| Location | Brahmaji Chowk |
| Town or city | Khedbrahma, Gujarat |
| Country | India |
| Coordinates | 24°02′19″N 73°02′53″E / 24.0386°N 73.0481°E |
| Completed | 14th century |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect(s) | Local |
| Designations | ASI State Protected Monument No. S-GJ-326 |
History
editThe stepwell is situated opposite the Brahma temple. Based on ornamentation of the miniature shrines in the stepwell, it is dated to 14th century. There is no inscription in the stepwell to ascertain its age.[1]
There are some paliya (hero stone) dedicated to Dhabi gatekeepers of the village who died fighting Maharaja Shivsinhji of Idar around Samvat 1800. The inscriptions on them are worn out.[2]
Humad Digambara Jains and Khedaval Brahmins consider the stepwell sacred and used to worship their patron deities in it.[3][2]
Architecture
editThe stepwell is built with grey granite stone. It is constructed in east-west direction; the entrance is in the east and the well is in the west. It is 38.10 metres (125.0 ft) long; 30 metres (98 ft) of stepped corridor and the well of 8.10 metres (26.6 ft) diameter. The stepwell becomes narrower as one goes downwards and to the well. It has four kuta (pavilion-towers) where fourth is attached to the well. The breadth is 8.50 metres (27.9 ft) (including parapet wall) and 6.60 metres (21.7 ft) (without parapet wall) at the entrance which decreases to 5.4 metres (18 ft) in second kuta and 3.90 metres (12.8 ft) in the third kuta. It had row of miniature shrines as an ornamentation in the wall of shaft of the stepwell which suggests it was built in 14th century. They resemble temple spires and has niches. It has 27 niches without any idols now. It is now in despair due to lack of maintenance.[1]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b Jain-Neubauer, Jutta (1981). The Stepwells of Gujarat: In Art-historical Perspective. Abhinav Publications. pp. 23, 53. ISBN 978-0-391-02284-3.
- ^ a b Shastri, Ganpatishankar (1935). Puratan Brahma Kshetra Prachin Arvachin Itihas [Ancient Brahma Kshetra: Ancient and Modern History] (in Gujarati). Idar: Idar State. pp. 3, 9.
- ^ Shukla, Rakesh (24 June 2014). "ક્યારેક લોકોની તરસ છિપાવતા હતા ગુજરાતના આ જળ મંદિરો-ખેડબ્રહ્માની વાવ". gujarati.oneindia.com (in Gujarati). Retrieved 20 November 2016.
