On my last trip to India, when I was in Gandhinagar, we left the office a little early to do some sight-seeing. We visited the Adalaj Stepwell, a stepwell built in 1498 by Queen Rudadevi in memory of her husband, Rana Veer Singh, king of the area at the time. Stepwells, large pits cut into the ground or rock, collect water from monsoon rains and are common in the arid areas of India (Wikipedia). One reaches the water by descending steps down into the well, hence the name stepwell. Two ladies are stepping down into the well in this photograph. (Click on any picture for a full-sized version.)

There is a legend about the building of the well. The Hindu king Rana had planned to build a well at this spot, but the project was interrupted when he was attacked by the neighboring king, Mohammed Begda, and killed in battle. Queen Rudadevi wanted to join her husband in death but was forbidden to do so by Begda. Begda offered her marriage and the queen agreed on the condition that Begda complete the well. It was quickly built. At the dedication of the well, the queen threw herself into the well, drowning. The rotunda of the top level of the well shows the intricate carvings that cover the interior of the well.

The five-story deep well had little water as I was visiting at the end of the dry season. This is a view of the fifth level with a bird flying above.

There is another legend about the well. Begda asked the craftsmen that built the well if they could build another as good. They said that they could. Legend says that he had them executed so this well would be unique in its beauty.

The delicate carvings are remarkable.

The bottom of the well is at the bottom of this photograph.

A bird enjoys the shade inside the well.

Beautiful carvings cover the columns and walls.

Sun streams in from above the deepest part of the well.

The temperature is much cooler inside the well. Here are some of the many steps in the stepwell.

If you look carefully on the left of this next photograph, you can see spikes. The spikes prevent people from crossing from the steps onto one of the platforms on the higher stories of the well.

This is one of the mid-level stories of the well.

A lizard enjoys the cool air and stone inside the well.

Now repeating an earlier photograph so Facebook will pick it up.