My joy knew no bounds when me made an unscheduled stop at the Dada Harir Ni Vav, a beautiful stepwell in Ahmadabad. It is also known as Bai Harir Ni Vav. I absolutely adore visiting stepwells and in India they go by many names, Vav, wav, baori, baoli and I am sure a few more. And there are quite a few in and around Ahmadabad. We were actually traveling to Bhuj from Ahmadabad when we stopped at the step-well.
It was a sleepy morning when our group arrived at the Bai Harir Ni Vav. The place was just opening, sweeping was going on. Baoris set my pulse racing, I was excited to get in and explore. All the history I quote in the article is from the Gujarat Tourism website, who were the sponsors of my trip too.
The baori was was built in 1499 and named after Bai Harir a woman of the Sultan Begada’s harem. It is about 15 km away from the city center. It is a less visited monument in Ahmadabad.
I find the approach to water conservation through step-wells fascinating. Who could have thought that such utility construction as well could be given such an elaborate setup! Looking up from the interiors of the step-well was a first for me. There are five levels to this Vav.
The wells are dry now. They thoroughly capture my imagination, whichever way I look at them, from above or below! As we visited in the morning, there were only a few tourists.
As you walk about the step-well you will notice a mosque at the back of it. It is Dai Halima Mosque built in the 16th century.
The maulavi you see in the picture told us that the entry of women to the interiors was prohibited. So, I was content to click a few photos from the outside. I am told that the jalis on the walls are impressive.
After I started traveling, I have realized that such beautiful structures like Dada Harir Ni Vav are considered off beat in our country because there are so many of them! The most beautiful step-well in the region is Rani Ni Vav at Patan, which is UNESCO World Heritage site. I hope we start preserving our heritage better.
PS. My trip to Gujarat was sponsored by Gujarat Tourism Board
Beautiful place
Thank you!
Great pictures as usual…
Thank you Rajeev!
Great content as usual. Pictures are beautiful.
Thank you Manish!
Amazing place. Awesome pics.
Thank you Rupam!
Thanks for the information. I will surely have it on my travel list next time I head for Ahmedabad.
I am sure you will like it!
Such a beautiful place, Mridula. Thanks for taking us with with you into the vav. The image looking up at the blue sky is awesome! It’s disheartening to hear/see that there are still many places where women are forbidden.
Oops, I missed visiting it. Only 3.5 km from the location where I stayed during Ahmedabad tour. Maybe next time will visit for sure.
When I read few travel blog/s or meet travelers, I find how less I have travelled and how less I know.
But you missed too maybe – https://www.40kmph.com/gujarat/ahmedabad/photos-step-well-adalaj-and-its-history/
approx. 19 km (one way) from Old City, Ahmedabad.
Beautiful place you describe thanks