Rani ki Vav

Rani ki Vav or ‘Queen’s Stepwell’ is a unique step well located in the small town of Gujarat called Patan. Located on the banks of River Saraswati, it is not only a distinctive form of water resource and storage system but also represents a unique craftsmanship.Rani ki vav is an intricately constructed stepwell situated in the town of Patan in Gujarat, India. It is located on the banks of Saraswati River. Rani ki vav was built as a memorial to an 11th-century AD king Bhimdev I . It was added to the list of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites on 22 June 2014. Stepwells are a distinctive form of subterranean water resource and storage systems on the Indian subcontinent, and have been constructed since the third millennium BC. Rani ki vav was built in the complex Maru-Gurjara architectural style with an inverted temple and seven levels of stairs and holds more than 500 principal sculptures.

Rani ki Vav bagged the title of “Cleanest Iconic Place” in India at the Indian Sanitation Conference (INDOSAN) 2016 in New Delhi in October 2016. The monument was felicitated at the conference, inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Jain Temples

There are as many as 100 and more temples in Patan dedicated to various gods including a number of Jain temples. The most famous of these are  Mahavir Swami Derasar in Dhnadherwad and Panchasara Derasar.There are other five jinalayas in this complex Moreover, there are dharamshalas and Bhojanshalas with all facilities for the last many Years a three day festival is celebrated on The account of anniversary of the jinalaya. One of the largest temples is the Panchasara Parshvanath Jain Derasar, with refined stone carvings and white marble floors, a depiction of the vast Jain architecture. All Jain temples were previously carved in wood, but the builder Uda Mehta declared that all temples be built in stone, for one small mishap might destroy the entire temple. The Gyan Mandir contains around twenty-five thousand ancient manuscripts of Sanskrit and Prakrit, due to which, Patan became a seat for Sanskrit and Prakrit learning. It is the richest collection of its kind in India, and bears testimony to the fact that Patan was once a place where genuine scholarship flourished. Hemchandracharya Gyan Mandir is located near Panchasara Jain Temple.

Sahastraling Talav

Sahasralinga Tank or Sahasralinga Talav is a medieval artificial water tank in Patan, Gujarat, India. It was commissioned during Chaulukya(Solanki) rule.  It is a Monument of National Importance protected by Archaeological Survey of India

The Sahastraling Talao was originally known as Durlabh Saravor and was constructed by King Durlabh Raja and was repaired and renovated by King Siddharaj during 1093 – 1143 A.D. This is one of the biggest tank of the Solanki Period. The chronicles and inscriptions of the period mentioned the construction of lakes, wells, reservoirs etc. by the royal personages as well as citizens. Of the lakes and tanks, specimens are in the lake at Viramgam, called Mansarovar or Mansar Lake, Tank at Modhera and the famous Sahastralinga Talao at Patan. The tank at Viramgam is almost circular and having flight of steps, which leads down to water. Many small shrines are constructed on the surface platform. In Sahastraling Talao the water was taken from river Saraswati in the deep RudraKupa and it was allowed to run through the channels in the stone inlet and then in the circular tank. Small temples, nearly 1000, were constructed in between inlet and RudraKupa. These temples are approached through the bridge, as the water was flowing all around the temples.

Patola

The beautiful hand-woven Patola Sarees are famous worldwide and Patan is said to be the home of Patola artists. It is one of the most sought after possession for women.Patola is a double ikat woven sari, usually made from silk, made in Patan, Gujarat, India. The word patola is the plural form; the singular is patolu. They are very expensive, once worn only by those belonging to royal and aristocratic families. These saris are popular among those who can afford the high prices. Velvet patola styles are also made in Surat. Patola-weaving is a closely guarded family tradition. There are three families in Patan that weave these highly prized double ikat saris. It is said that this technique is taught to no one in the family, but only to the sons. It can take six months to one year to make one sari due to the long process of dying each strand separately before weaving them together.Patola was woven in Surat, Ahmedabad and Patan.Highly valued in Indonesia, became part of the local weaving tradition there.

Regional Science Museum Patan

Regional Science Centre, Patan is to portray or communicate the growth of Science & Technology and its applications in improving
the quality of life through exhibitions, seminars, popular lectures, science camps, and a host of other activities or programmes.