Boter Kothani Vav is a historic stepwell in Mehsana, Gujarat, about 48.4 km from Hotel Kalash in Gandhinagar. Its inscription records that it was commissioned for public welfare, and the stepwell’s unusual name refers to its 72 cells.
At a glance
- Location: near Bhimnath Mahadev temple in Mehsana’s Para area.
- Also known as Mehsana Vav, Interi Vav, 72 Kothani Vav and 72 Kotha stepwell.
- The stepwell is built of bricks and sandstone, with twin wells.
Where is Boter Kothani Vav?
Boter Kothani Vav stands in the Para area of Mehsana, near Bhimnath Mahadev temple. The Mahesana Municipal Corporation identifies the site as “72 Kothani Vav” and gives its location as “Boter kothani vav, Mahesana, Gujarat.” Use both names when checking directions, since the site appears under several names.
What is the history of the stepwell?
Boter Kothani Vav was commissioned for public welfare by Shah Gokaldas and his mother Manabai, according to an inscription dated Samvat 1731 (1674 CE). The inscription is in Persian and Devanagari, and the stepwell was built during the reign of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb.
The structure is described as about 14 to 15 metres long and eleven floors deep, with twin wells. Its name is explained as meaning “stepwell with 72 cells.” It was later repaired and renovated during Gaekwad rule.
Which heritage places are listed nearby?
Other places to visit in Mehsana include Raj Mahal Palace, Simandhar Swami Jain Temple, BAPS Swaminarayan Temple and Shree Toranvali Mataji Temple. Raj Mahal Palace is on Palace Road, opposite General Hospital; Simandhar Swami Jain Temple is on Ahmedabad–Palanpur Highway Road; and BAPS Swaminarayan Temple is at F/7, Radhanpur Road, ONGC Nagar.
How do you plan the outing from Gandhinagar?
Plan the stepwell as a Mehsana outing, not as a stop within Gandhinagar.
You can pair the stepwell with another heritage place in Mehsana. For a broader itinerary, the one-day Gandhinagar itinerary covers a different outing from the city.
What should you check before visiting?
Mehsana Municipality cleaned the stepwell in 2013. A reference account also reports cleaning in 2020 and approval that year for using its water in gardens.
FAQs
Is Boter Kothani Vav in Gandhinagar?
No. It is in Mehsana, Gujarat, in the Para area near Bhimnath Mahadev temple. Gandhinagar’s urban centre is covered in this practical city-centre guide.
What does Boter Kothani Vav mean?
The name is explained as “stepwell with 72 cells.”
What other names is the stepwell known by?
It is also called Mehsana Vav, Interi Vav, 72 Kothani Vav and 72 Kotha stepwell.