NoeFlandre/osm-polygon-wikidata-only huggingface dataset:
Matri Vav

Matri Vav is a stepwell in Kankavati village of Dhrangadhra Taluka of Surendranagar district, Gujarat, India. It was approximately built in early 17th century. The stepped corridor of the stepwell has five pavilion-towers and four intermediate frames. It has decorated niches and well shaft. History The dating of the stepwell is difficult due to the lack of decorative or sculptural elements in the stepwell as well as due to simple and basic architectural layout of the stepwell. It was approximately built in early 17th century. It is told that it was built by Rana Bimsinhji. It is a state protected monument (S-GJ-218). Architecture The stepwell is built in an artificial lake and thus stays submerged in the water most of time. It was built in the lake because it can provide water during the drought when the lake dries up but the well would supply the water collected below the level of the lake. It has the common features of the stepwells but the stepped corridor is built on the bed of the lake instead of under ground as in the other stepwells. The stone embankment of about one foot is visible from outside. It is built from red sandstone. It is constructed in an east-west direction with the entrance in the east and the circular well in the west. The entrance is located under the tin-sheet roof. The stepped corridor has five pavilion-towers alternating with four intermediate frames having double bracing crossbars each. The structure of the stepwell results in an elongated rectangular platform with open spaces; formed by the gaps between the pavilion-towers and of the well, on the top. Thus this platform forms two half-metre wide parallel paths on the side walls of the stepwell which meets at the end in a circular path surrounding the well. These paths also meet each other by the platforms and crossbars of the pavilion-towers and intermediate frames. Some steps from the entrance leads to this platform level while the other steps lead to the stepped corridor going down the well. The pavilion-towers have less decoration while the well shaft is profusely decorated. The circular well has two beams at the top; longer one in the middle supported by brackets which a shorter one supported by corbels. The longer beam has a decoration of small kirtimukha, in middle, on its vertical side. There are large and beautifully carved niches with decorated crown pieces in both side walls of the each pavilion-towers landings. The first pavilion-tower is converted into a temple and its niches have a statue of Ganesha and a trident carving respectively. The niches in the fourth pavilion-tower have Ganesha and Vishnu respectively. The stepwell is named after Matri, the mother-goddess, whose image is said to be present in the lower storeys of the stepwell. The lower storeys are reached only by narrow ledges on the side walls. The decorative elements include erotic sculptures as well as geometric, natural and mythical motifs. There are shrines of Koteshwar and Matreshwar Mahadev. References
Hampar Vav

Hampar Vav is a stepwell in Hampar village of Dhrangadhra Taluka of Surendranagar district, Gujarat, India. It is a state protected monument. History As Hampar village is located near Dhrangdhra, it must be ruled by Jhala dynasty of Dhrangdhra. As there is no inscription or sculptures in the stepwell, the date is assumed by the architecture, construction methods and decorative elements. Based on entrance pavilion-tower and decorative element of purnaghata, the stepwell is dated to 16th to 17th century. It also correspond to similarly designed Naga Bava Vav of Dhrangadhra which is dated around 1525. It is a state protected monument (S-GJ-220). Architecture The stepwell is constructed in north–south direction with entrance in the south and the well in the north. The stepped corridor starts from a raised platform which has steps on three sides and the fourth side leading to the well. The raised platform is covered with a half-spherical dome; forming an entrance mandapa; supported by twelve pillars, eight of which form an internal octagonal plan. The stepped corridor is long and narrow. It has five pavilion-towers with intermediate frames which supports them. The corridor wall is damaged near the fourth pavilion-tower and the third intermediate frame. The well is filled to the level of the first floor during monsoon season. At the east end of the fifth pavilion-tower, a spiral staircase is located which leads to lower floors. The pilasters in the entrance mandapa are of the plain bhadraka type, square with recesses. The pillars in the entrance mandapa are of the mixed type, characterized by their elongated and tapering form, manifold horizontal divisions, and numerous recesses. The pillar grows narrower. The capital of the pillars is in a volute formation formed from circular bharani. The niches in the first pavilion-tower are embellished with purnaghata elements, depicting a vase, lotus flower, and chain. The mandapa features a narrow band of a geometrical flower design arranged in squares on top of the connecting lintels of the pillars, similar to Dada Harir Vav. The stepwell supplies fresh water and is connected to a water-pulling, channeling, and storage system. Water is channeled into a large oblong trough at the western side. The gargoyle is designed in shape of a mythical elephant. References
Modhera Vav

Modhera Vav is a stepwell in Modhera village in Mehsana district, Gujarat, India. The stepwell belongs to the 11th century while the mandapa origins from the 10th century. It is the state protected monument. History The stepwell is located about a kilometre to the east of Surya kunda of Sun Temple, Modhera. Formerly, it was considered that it belonged to the mid-10th century but now it is observed that the stepwell may belong to the 11th century with the mandapa above the second kuta (pavilion-tower) may belong to the 10th century which may have been a separate shrine moved from elsewhere to this stepwell. It is the state protected monument (S-GJ-281). Architecture The stepwell is small, moderately ornamented and is constructed using sandstone blocks and stone slabs. It has one entrance, three storeys and three kutas (pavilion-towers). The narrow stepped corridor is 2.50 metres (8 ft 2 in) broad. It features small, square pavilions supported by unornamented pilasters. These square ruchaka type pilasters have a simple design, except for a decorative volute-pattern on the brackets. The well-shaft includes three pairs of struts decorated with motifs of diamond (ratna) on the top and a kirtimukha below it. These struts would have supported structures for drawing water from the well. The small mandapa above the ground level and located on the second kuta of stepwell displays characteristics of its early origin. It has a small simple single-celled garbhagriha (sanctum sanctorum) with the doorframe depicting lotus leaves pattern. Gallery See also Adalaj Vav Boter Kothani Vav Rani ki Vav References