Boter Kothani Vav, Ancient stepwell in Mehsana, India
Boter Kothani Vav is an underground well with eleven levels descending into the earth, built from stone and brick with carved patterns. The walls show finely detailed work incorporated throughout every section of the structure.
An inscription from 1674 shows that Shah Gokaldas and his mother Manabai commissioned this well. This happened during the reign of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb.
The names inscribed on the walls show that believers from different traditions used this place. Visitors can still see how the spaces served for prayer and gathering.
The well was cleaned and restored in 2013, making it accessible for visits today. The many steps require careful footing as you descend into the deeper levels.
The structure combines two wells within a single building and contains inscriptions in two different writing systems. This blend of Persian and Indian scripts shows how different cultures met at this place.
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