The Ahmedabad Diaries - Bai Harir Vav (Day 2 contd)

 From Sabarmati we went to the Bai Harir Vav a 15th century stepwell (vav seems to be the name for a stepwell). It was simply outstanding. Apparently constructed by a lady named Bai Harir or Dhai Harir, a household lady and Superintendent of the Royal Harem of Sultan Mahmud Begada - she took it on herself to construct the the step well, the mosque and the mausoleum where her tomb is.

Jyo at the entrance

The entrance to the stepwell starts here. It is made of sandstone with intricate carvings, designs and astounding engineering. The stepwell goes five stories deep, 5 levels, with the farthest being an octagonal well. It is constructed east - west.

Going down the step well

We entered and found that several people were engaging in photoshoots. Wedding photoshoots are banned as per a notice outside. Well dressed women posed in various places, sometimes at great  physical danger. We stepped around them and took pictures and went down the flight of steps.

And even more

Lots of people were using the spot to take photos. Girls fully dressed up with their cameramen friends, climbing up and going into dangerous places to get the perfect shot. Lots of tourists landed up as well.

Water down there

Right at the bottom

Open to sky

Jyo in photoshoot mode

 

Octagonal opening to the well

View from the top

Behind the stepwell is a mosque and the mausoleum of the lady Bai Hirar - beautiful structures that reminded me of the ones at Champaner. One Mushtaq who is probably the muezzin invited us in and told us we could take pics and actually gave us a small tour of the place. 

Since it was a Friday he said there would be people coming soon for namaz.

The mosque

The mausoleum

Intricate designs on the pillar

Beautiful screens

Outside the mosque I saw this young Chinese boy standing by himself and looking at the mosque. I asked him if he had been inside and he said he had. He spoke good English and was surprised that I spoke good English too. His name he said was Martin Zheng and he was originally from China but migrated to Australia 15 years ago  - he is 28 now looks 18. He spoke easily and when we said we were heading off to the  Jama masjid and would he like to join us he gladly hopped into the auto with us.

Though he was very concerned that he would inconvenience us and wanted to book a cab and pay and all that - we told him to chill. Martin said he works in IT in Canberra and that his IT gurus were guys from Hyderabad.

Can't keep Hyderabadis out of action can you?