The star was always covered by an umbrella. He is quite well known and popular in the TV and Bollywood movies. Maybe someone can tell us his name.
I always love these “clash of culture” pictures. . . . . both ancient and modern!
This large group of school kids stood absolutely quietly until the shooting was over. Then they descended the stairs to learn about this historical site. There is more I have to share about Adalaj Ni Vav and it will be in subsequent posts.
But back to the beginning. . . . . .
This is Adalaj Ni Vav considered one of the finest of the Gujarati step-wells and is located more out in the outskirts of Ahmedabad than Dada Hari Ni Vav. https://talesalongtheway.com/?s=Dada+Hari+Ni+Vav
It was commissioned by the Queen Ruda, the wife of Vaghela Chidf Vikramsinh in 1498. She built it as a place of rest for traders, pilgrims and women collecting the daily needs of water for their families. The well contains religious (Hindu) and secular (Muslim) carvings. Locals still visit the shrine of goddess the second gallery to seek her blessing after marriages.
According to folklore, Sutan Begada killed Vikramsinh and asked his widow Ruda to marry him. She agreed but only after he finished her pet project which is now Adalaja Ni Vav which her husband had begun. The new ruler agreed. But upon completion, the queen jumped to her death in the well shaft to demonstrate her faithfulness to her first husband. A second tale is that the new king asked the masons if they could reproduce this project. When they agreed they could, he had them killed to prevent any replication of such splendid craft. The stonemasons’ tombs are just above the step-well.
The first mention of this practice of self-immolation goes back to the 4th Century BC by a Greek historian.India has a long history of self-immolation of widows of kings and rulers. The act is called sati and today is against the law in India. There was a famous act of sati in 1987 when a well educated 18 year old woman who was married only 8 months threw herself on the funeral pyre of her husband. There was a trial and people were convicted of encouraging this illegal act.
I wish there were images from the 15th Century, but there aren’t, just photos from our vists. There is the filming of the TV show in which were were tourists playing tourists.
https://talesalongtheway.com/2013/03/22/we-really-are-rock-stars-action-tv-stars/
One of my favorite pictures which I have used before, is me holding the baby after he was placed in my arms for me to bless…by touching him on his head. It was quite an unexpected honor. Women were also taking my hat to have their pictures taken. Amazing! I think Queen Ruda would approve, don’t you ?
Pictures by Erin Butler and Shane Gavett.
Namaste. . . . .. This is Incredible India!
You look really happy in this picture. It must have been such an amazing experience. Do you have a favorite county you’ve visited?
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I love to go to places where I can connect with the people…so I guess the countries that are my favorite are India, Egypt and the Czech Republic! Venice is my favorite city with NYC being second! That drives my husband crazy …but it is true. ( He thinks with all the other cities we have visited that NYC is not the second “best”!) I also have favorite places in my mind.. . . .Too much free time?!?!
What about you ?
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Swimming in the Pacific on a missions trip in Costa Rica was pretty amazing, but then I’m a real Anglophile so England ranks up there . . .but then fixing up a house in Cork, Ireland had it’s merits. I also love battlefields–Fredericksburg was spooky and sad. It’s too hard! I like most places I go 🙂 I miss NYC sometimes and I feel you can never get done exploring it.
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Reblogged this on Oyia Brown.
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Many thanks for the reblog!
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Pingback: Adalaj Stepwell – a must see place if you are visiting Ahmedabad | TOMATO blog
Thanks for the link!
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Pingback: Adalaj Stepwell – a must see place if you are visiting Ahmedabad | Travelling Tomato Man
😎
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