{{Infobox Historic building |name = Vanarashi Vav |image = Vanaarashi Stepwell - 1.jpg |caption = Entrance |coordinates = {{coord|region:IN-GJ|display=inline, title}} |location_town = Vavdi, Ghogha Taluka, [[Bhavnagar district]], [[Gujarat]] |location_country = India |architect = Local |client = |engineer = |construction_start_date = |completion_date = 1902 |demolished_date = |cost = |structural_system = |architectural_style = [[Indian architecture]] |floor_count = |designations = |mapframe-zoom = 14 |mapframe-marker = water }} '''Vanarashi Vav''' is a [[stepwell]] located near Vavdi village of Ghogha Taluka, [[Bhavnagar district]], [[Gujarat]], India. Built in 1902, it was restored in 2019.
==History== The stepwell has following inscription: This Vanarashi Vav was built in [[Vikram Samvat|Samvat]] 1958, Falgun Vad 5, Saturday (1902 AD), during the reign of Vavdi ruler Devani Nathubhai Godadbhai. It was built by Maganlal and Parmananddas, sons of Late Vanarashi Jadavji, for virtue of their father. He was a resident of [[Bhavnagar]], [[Kapol community|Kapol]] Vanik by caste and of Munja Amravala family.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2018-04-24 |title=જળ સંગ્રહ વાત અને વિકાસ ઐતિહાસિક જળસ્થાનોનો વિનાશ |url=https://www.loksansar.in/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/24-05-2018-bhavnagar.pdf |access-date=2024-11-01 |work=Lok Sansar |pages=3 |language=gu}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{Cite news |date=2019-05-17 |title=વાવડી ગામની 117 વર્ષ જૂની હેરિટેજ વાવનું રવિવારે લોકાર્પણ |url=https://www.divyabhaskar.co.in/news/the-117-year-old-heritage-village-of-wawadi-village-is-dedicated-on-sunday-1558149634.html |archive-url= |work=[[Divya Bhaskar]] |language=gu}}</ref>
In 2018, the stepwell was proposed to be buried for the construction of the Bhavnagar-[[Veraval]] Highway. Following protest and opposition by villagers for one and half year, it was saved and a bridge was built over it. It was restored and inaugurated by Vijayrajsinh Gohil, linked to former rulers of erstwhile [[Bhavnagar State]], on 19 May 2019, Sunday.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-10-13 |title=કામગીરી:ઐતિહાસિક વણારશી વાવની જાળવણી જરૂરી |url=https://www.divyabhaskar.co.in/local/gujarat/bhavnagar/news/preservation-of-historic-plantations-required-131983922.html |work=Divya Bhaskar |language=gu}}</ref>
==Architecture== The stepwell is constructed in east–west direction; the entrance is in the west while the well is in the east.
It has carvings and arches.<ref name=":0" />
==Gallery== <gallery> File:Vanaarashi Stepwell -4.jpg|Inside the stepwell File:Vanaarashi Stepwell -2.jpg|At first landing in the stepwell File:Vanaarashi Stepwell -3.jpg|Arches </gallery>
==References== {{reflist}}
{{commons category}}
[[Category:Stepwells in Gujarat]] [[Category:Bhavnagar district]] [[Category:Tourist attractions in Gujarat]] [[Category:Buildings and structures completed in 1902]] [[Category:Monuments and memorials in Gujarat]]