Uparkot Fort

This ancient fort is believed to have been built in 319 BC by the Mauryan emperor Chandragupta, though it has been extended many times. In places, the ramparts reach 20m high. Remnants of different rulers can be seen in some parts of the structure. For example, on the rampart above the gate is an inscription of Mandalika III, dated 1450. Another emblem is in the form of a 10 inch bore cannon of bell-metal - 17 feet long and 4 feet 8-inch round at the mouth. This gun was brought from Diu, where it was left by the Ottoman Turks when they were defeated in the Siege of Diu in the mid-16^th century. The views over the city and east to Girnar Hill are superb, and within its walls, there is a magnificent former mosque, a set of millennia-old Buddhist caves and two fine step-wells.

Adi Kadi Vav

Carved entirely out of hard rock, Adi Kadi Vav is a 15^th Century stepwell, found inside the Uparkot Fort. There is a narrow flight of 120 stairs cutting down through the stone to reach the well deep in the stone. There are two different legends that claim to explain the name of the well. One says that the king ordered a stepwell to be built and workers excavated down into this hard stone, but no water was found. The royal priest said that water would only be found if two unmarried girls were sacrificed. Adi and Kadi were the unlucky ones chosen for this and after their sacrifice, water was found. The other story, less fantastic but probably more likely, claims that Adi and Kadi were the names of the royal servant girls who fetched water from the well every day. Either way, people still hang cloth and bangles on a tree nearby in their memory.

Navghan Kuvo

Named after the Chudasama king Ra Navaghana most likely built during his reign in 11th century. It is believed to have been completed by his son Khengara. According to scholars, this is one of the oldest examples of stepwells in India. A small staircase entered through an arched doorway leads to the forecourt. The well is located at the far end of the forecourt. The water in the well is reached by a circular staircase which is cut in the soft rock behind the thin stone wall of the shaft of well. The flight of the steps, first straight and then transverse, runs right around the shaft. The array of square holes in the stone wall of the shaft illuminate and cool the inside.

Uparkot Caves

These caves located at Uparkot beyond the 300 ft deep moat, close to Adi Kadi vav, were carved in 2nd–3rd century A.D. These so-called “Buddhist Caves” around Uparkot are not actually caves, but three separate sites of rooms carved out of stone to be used as monks’ quarters. They are all  over 2000 years old and were carved into the rock during Emperor Ashoka’s reign. These are considered the earliest monastic settlement in the area. It is said that after several years of use, they were abandoned because the construction had water seeping in due to cracks, and became unlivable. Many accounts say that after this, the monks left for Maharashtra, where they went on to carve many similar and more elaborate structures.

Good to Know:

Location: 59 km from Sterling Rudra Gir

Timings: 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM

Best time to visit:  November - February