Most Amazing Temple in the World - Rani Ki Vav

Summary

The video script discusses the enigmatic Rani Ki Vav in Gujarat, India, revealing it as an inverted negative temple rather than a traditional step well. The presenter uses a model to demonstrate its unique construction, which starts wide and narrows to a point at the bottom, mirroring Hindu temple architecture in reverse. The script also delves into the site's mysterious history, including its negative energy affecting visitors and the challenges of excavation, suggesting it may extend much further underground than initially thought. The presenter questions the conventional narrative, pointing out the lack of evidence linking it to a queen and the absence of the queen's or her husband's depictions, proposing it was built using both positive and negative construction techniques.

Takeaways

• 🏰 Rani Ki Vav in Gujarat is believed to be more than just a step well; it's considered an inverted negative temple.
• 🌐 The structure's design is the opposite of a typical Hindu temple, descending into the ground rather than ascending.
• 🗿 The model demonstration in the script shows that filling the empty space of Rani Ki Vav with plaster creates a structure resembling a Hindu temple.
• 🔄 The builders of Rani Ki Vav are thought to have used both positive (adding materials) and negative (removing materials) construction techniques.
• 📉 The excavation and restoration of Rani Ki Vav have been challenging, with multiple attempts halted due to the complexity and depth of the structure.
• 🚫 The original purpose and name of Rani Ki Vav are unknown, with 'Rani Ki Vav' being a modern-day attribution.
• 👥 The builders are unknown, and there are no inscriptions within the structure to identify them.
• 🌀 The site is said to have a negative vibe, which contrasts with the positive energy typically found in Hindu temples.
• 🚷 After its construction, the builders and locals abandoned the site, and it remained untouched for centuries.
• ❓ Many questions remain about Rani Ki Vav, including its true purpose, the identity of its builders, and why it was constructed as a negative structure.

Q & A

What is the traditional explanation for the purpose of Rani Ki Vav?

The traditional explanation is that Rani Ki Vav is a step well built for locals to access water by descending the steps and drawing water from the well.

What is the alternative theory proposed about Rani Ki Vav?

The alternative theory is that Rani Ki Vav is not a step well but an inverted negative temple, designed in the opposite way to a typical Hindu temple.

How does the design of Rani Ki Vav differ from a typical Hindu temple?

A typical Hindu temple starts at ground level and rises upwards, while Rani Ki Vav starts at ground level and descends downwards, with a larger top that narrows to a point at the bottom.

What is the significance of the inverted negative temple concept?

The inverted negative temple concept suggests that Rani Ki Vav was constructed by removing material from the ground to create a structure that mirrors a temple when viewed from the inside out.

How was the model of Rani Ki Vav created to demonstrate the negative temple theory?

A model was created by carving steps into a piece of foam, filling the empty space with plaster of Paris, and then inverting the model after the plaster solidified to mimic the structure of a Hindu temple.

What was the reaction of the team when they entered Rani Ki Vav?

The team experienced a negative vibe, feeling anger and sorrow, which is the opposite of the positive and peaceful energy typically found in Hindu temples.

Why did the builders abandon Rani Ki Vav according to the script?

The builders seemed to have understood the negative energy of the structure they created and abandoned the site, forbidding locals from visiting.

What were the challenges faced during the excavation and restoration of Rani Ki Vav?

Excavation and restoration faced challenges as each attempt revealed more elaborate structures, and the process was never completed due to the complexity and depth of the structure.

What is the origin of the name 'Rani Ki Vav'?

The name 'Rani Ki Vav', meaning 'The Queen’s step well', was given based on an obscure 14th-century text about a step well built by a queen, but no inscription about this queen was found on the structure.

How were both positive and negative construction techniques used in Rani Ki Vav?

Positive construction involved adding stone blocks starting from the bottom-most level, while negative construction involved removing tons of dirt to create the structure's depth.

What are some of the unanswered questions about Rani Ki Vav presented in the script?

Unanswered questions include the real name of Rani Ki Vav, the purpose of its construction, the reason for creating a negative structure, and what happened to the builders during its construction.

Outlines

00:00

🏰 'Rani Ki Vav': The Inverted Negative Temple

The speaker challenges the conventional narrative of Rani Ki Vav being a step well, proposing instead that it is an inverted, negative temple. This structure, unlike typical Hindu temples that rise from the ground upwards, descends into the earth. The speaker illustrates this by creating a model and filling the empty space with plaster of Paris to demonstrate the temple's inverted nature. The theory is supported by the observation that the structure mirrors the layout of a traditional temple when the model is inverted. The speaker claims to be the first to understand this and suggests that the structure's unique design has been misunderstood for centuries.

05:01

🔮 The Negative Energy of Rani Ki Vav

The speaker discusses the unusual negative energy experienced at Rani Ki Vav, contrasting it with the positive energy typically found in Hindu temples. They recount the history of the site's rediscovery by British archaeologists in 1890 and the subsequent, incomplete excavations. The speaker speculates on the builders' intentions and the reasons for the structure's abandonment, suggesting that the builders may have recognized the negative energy it emitted. They also question the attribution of the structure to a queen, as no inscriptions or evidence directly link her to the construction. The narrative raises more questions than answers, deepening the mystery surrounding Rani Ki Vav.

10:05

🏗️ The Dual Construction Techniques of Rani Ki Vav

The speaker delves into the construction techniques used to build Rani Ki Vav, highlighting the unique combination of both positive (additive) and negative (reductive) methods. They describe the extensive excavation required to create the structure, involving the removal of 65,000 tons of dirt. The speaker also details the subsequent positive construction, which involved adding stone blocks to create the seven levels of the structure, each adorned with intricate pillars, beams, and statues. The speaker ponders the true purpose of Rani Ki Vav and the enigma of its creators, inviting viewers to share their thoughts on the structure's origins and significance.

Keywords

💡Rani Ki Vav

Rani Ki Vav is an 11th-century stepwell located in Gujarat, India. The term 'stepwell' refers to a structure with a series of steps leading down to a water source, traditionally used for irrigation and drinking water. In the video, the presenter challenges the conventional understanding of Rani Ki Vav as a mere stepwell, proposing instead that it is an 'inverted negative temple,' a unique architectural concept that will be explained further in the script.

💡Inverted Negative Temple

The concept of an 'inverted negative temple' is central to the video's narrative. It suggests that Rani Ki Vav is not just a functional structure for accessing water but a temple designed in reverse, with its apex at the bottom rather than the top. This idea is used to support the presenter's theory that the structure has a deeper, more spiritual significance, contrary to the traditional explanation.

💡Mandapa

A 'mandapa' is a columned hall or pavilion found in Hindu temples, often used for gatherings or ceremonies. In the context of the video, the presenter uses 'mandapa' as part of the analogy to describe the structure of Rani Ki Vav, suggesting that it follows the layout of a traditional Hindu temple but in reverse.

💡Plaster of Paris

Plaster of Paris is a building material used for casting and molding. In the video, the presenter uses it to demonstrate the concept of the 'inverted negative temple' by filling the empty spaces of a model of Rani Ki Vav and then inverting it to reveal the structure's supposed temple-like form.

💡Positive and Negative Construction Techniques

These terms refer to two different methods of construction. 'Positive' involves adding materials to build up a structure, while 'negative' involves removing materials to create a form. The video discusses how Rani Ki Vav uniquely combines both techniques, with the 'negative' part involving the excavation of a large amount of dirt and the 'positive' part involving the addition of stone blocks to create the structure.

💡Volume

Volume, in this context, refers to the amount of space that a three-dimensional object occupies. The video mentions calculating the volume of the dirt removed during the construction of Rani Ki Vav, emphasizing the scale of the excavation work required for its construction.

💡Stepwell

A stepwell is a structure with steps leading down to a water source, allowing people to access water more easily in regions with low water tables. The video's standard explanation for Rani Ki Vav is as a stepwell, but the presenter argues that this definition is too simplistic and misses the structure's true purpose.

💡Excavation

Excavation, in an archaeological context, refers to the process of uncovering buried artifacts or structures. The video discusses several attempts at excavating and restoring Rani Ki Vav, highlighting the complexity and ongoing mystery surrounding the site.

💡Historical Text

A historical text is a document or record from the past that provides information about history. The video mentions an obscure 14th-century text that supposedly refers to the stepwell, which historians have used to attribute the construction of Rani Ki Vav to a queen, despite a lack of direct evidence within the structure itself.

💡Archaeologists

Archaeologists are scientists who study human history and prehistory through the excavation of sites and the analysis of artifacts and other physical remains. In the video, archaeologists are mentioned as the authorities who have traditionally interpreted Rani Ki Vav as a stepwell, a view that the presenter challenges.

💡Ancient Indians

The term 'Ancient Indians' refers to the people of the Indian subcontinent in historical times. The video discusses the advanced construction techniques used by ancient Indian builders, which included both positive and negative techniques, as seen in the unique construction of Rani Ki Vav.

Highlights

Rani Ki Vav in Gujarat is not a step well but an inverted negative temple.

Rani Ki Vav's design is the opposite of a typical Hindu temple, starting wide at the top and narrowing at the bottom.

The structure was modeled to demonstrate its inverted temple design.

Plaster of Paris was used to fill the empty space to visualize the negative temple.

The model inversion revealed a structure identical to an ancient Hindu temple.

Rani Ki Vav is claimed to be the world's only inverted negative temple.

The site's negative energy was felt by the team, contrasting with the positive energy of other temples.

The builders abandoned the site after realizing its negative energy.

The structure was rediscovered in 1890 by British archaeologists.

Excavation and restoration attempts have been ongoing with no complete success.

The structure may stretch underground for acres, as excavations reveal more complexity.

The original name and purpose of Rani Ki Vav remain a mystery.

The name 'Rani Ki Vav' is a modern attribution based on a 14th-century text.

The builders used both positive (addition) and negative (removal) construction techniques.

The structure required the removal of 65,000 tons of dirt.

Rani Ki Vav has 7 levels filled with intricate details like pillars, beams, and statues.

The builders' identity and their reasons for constructing such a unique structure are unknown.

The video invites viewers to share their thoughts on the mysteries of Rani Ki Vav.

Transcripts

Hey guys, there is a mysterious ancient structure in Gujarat.

What is it?

Archeologists and historians tell us a standard story: This is called Rani Ki Vav, it is a

step well, built for the locals, so the locals can get down these steps and draw water from

this well.

But you are about to learn that this is not a step well, but it was built for a completely

different reason.

What you are looking at is one of its kind.

It is an inverted, negative, temple.

Some fancy words, you may think.

A typical Hindu temple starts with ground level, has some steps going up to increase

its height or altitude gradually.

Finally, at the tower area, starts with a large base, and then ends up have a pointy

end at the top, right?

Now, Rani Ki Vav is designed exactly the opposite way, it starts with the ground level, slowly

starts to decrease its altitude, you gradually go down, and at this area, it starts with

a larger top, but ends up having a pointy end at the very bottom.

Maybe I can do better, so here, we are making a model of Rani Ki Vav, imagine this foam

is the piece of land, and I am starting to carve the steps here, and then there is a

flat area here, and then I carve more steps, then a flat area, and so on.

And at the far end, I have made a deep, so called “well” which gradually reduces

in its radius towards the bottom.

If you look at this model, it looks very much like Rani Ki Vav.

But in order to see the negative temple, we have to fill up the empty space, and see what

happens.

So, I have taken some plaster of paris, and I am going to fill up the empty space.

I am filling up everything and kind of levelling up at the ground level.

The plaster of paris is, now, slowly solidifying inside the empty space.

In a few minutes, it completely solidifies.

Now, remember, I told you it is an inverted negative temple.

So, I have to invert this model.

Now let me cut off the foam, and see how the solidified empty space looks.

The foam represents the positive material and I am slowly, slowly removing it.

As I am doing it, you can start to understand that it looks very much like a Hindu temple.

Let me clean up the foam sticking on it, and you can see for yourself.

This is not just looking similar to an ancient temple; it is looking identical to a typical

ancient temple.

I have just proved my theory that Rani Ki Vav is not a step well, but an inverted negative

temple.

If you go to most ancient temples, you will see steps rising in altitude, then there will

be a small shrine called a mandapa, then there will be more steps, leading to more mandapas,

and at the far end, you will see a giant tower with a pointed top.

This is exactly what we see here.

If we exclude the minor details, and look at the macro model, there is no doubt that

it was built as a negative, inverted temple and no other temple has ever been built like

this, not only in India, but in the whole world.

So, what we are looking at is actually a wonder of the world.

No one has understood that this is such a temple in the last few centuries, I think

I am the first one to fully understand this.

Now, how did I realize that it was a Negative temple?

I visit hundreds of ancient sites, and the energy and vibration in every place is usually

very positive and peaceful.

However, our entire team became very negative as we entered this site.

They felt anger and sorrow, they blamed it on the weather and other things but I could

feel the negativity get more and more intense as I went deeper and deeper into the structure.

This is the exact opposite of what happens when you visit a positive temple.

Typically, in a Hindu temple, as you walk towards the main chamber your positivity increases

and you reach a calm, joyful state when you are in the main chamber.

You can easily dismiss this as pseudoscience but we have all had at least one instance

where we met a negative person, but we did not trust our instinct and paid for it.

But if it has such a negative vibe, what happened to the builders who built it?

This is the crazy part, after creating such a negative structure, the builders seemed

to have understood its energy.

They completely abandoned this place, and moved out of this area, all the locals were

also forbidden from visiting the place.

Nobody entered this location for many many centuries until 1890, when 2 British archeologists

accidentally “discovered” this structure.

They have recorded that initially, nothing was visible except a small pit, and a few

pillars.

The whole place was completely, I mean completely, covered with dirt.

In fact, the two archeologists expected to find a very small structure when they started

excavating it.

But when they started to understand about the actual size of this place, they gave up

the excavation project.

There have been at least 5 different attempts to excavate and restore this structure since

then, and every attempt has stopped halfway because, they keep finding more and more elaborate

structures.

The last excavation and restoration attempt was done between 1981 and 1987.

Did they succeed in finishing the job?

NO.

They could only finish the job up to this part, and beyond this line, no one is permitted,

because the excavation and renovation is not complete.

And experts are embarrassed to admit that it may never be completed.

WHY?

Because as they excavate more and more, they keep finding more and more stuff, some say

this structure actually stretches underground for acres.

Some say, the so called well, it keeps on getting deeper and deeper, just like the mystery

of this structure.

This place is so mysterious that archeologists sheepishly admit that no one actually knows

the original name of this structure.

Today it is simply called ‘Rani Ki Vav’ meaning ‘The Queen’s step well’.

Did a queen actually build such a structure? And did she just name it simply as a Queen’s

step well?

After “discovering” this structure, archeologists and historians searched for some evidence

about the builder as they could not find anything on site.

And they found an obscure 14th century text that talks about a step well built by a queen.

So, they have conveniently pinned it on her.

Experts admit that this is only a guess as they have not found one single inscription

about this queen in all of this giant structure.

Think about the human mind for a second, when people donate a single stone block to a temple,

they write their names all over it.

When some generous influencer buys food to the homeless, they take a picture of that

and post it everywhere.

Who built the world’s only inverted negative temple? and why did they not write their name

on the walls, even once?

However, experts have tried their best to keep this place mystery-free, and have even

claimed that a statue found here shows the queen who built it, and she built it memory

of her husband.

However, the statue looks like any other female statue in the temple, and why didn’t the

royal courtiers write anything about such a wonderful structure?

If she did construct it in memory of her husband, why isn’t the husband carved all over the structure?

In fact, he is not even carved once because we can identify all the statues here, nearly

all of them are Hindu Gods.

But whoever built it, was very special, it needs a super-human thinking to merge both

positive and negative construction techniques.

Wait, positive and negative construction techniques.

What is that, right?

You see, ancient Indians used two major types of construction techniques.

The first construction technique follows addition of materials, this is how we build everything

today, we start from the ground and start adding blocks from the bottom to the top,

this is the positive construction technique.

But ancient builders of India, also used a negative construction technique, they created

structures by removing materials, they did not add a single piece of stone, wood or metal

to these temples, these temples were created by scooping out tons and tons of rocks from

hills.

The builders started from the top of the hill and removed the material from top to bottom,

this is the negative construction technique.

But the unique aspect of this structure, is that, it has employed both positive and negative

construction techniques.

First the ancient builders had to remove everything, they had to clear the trees, and then had

to dig a giant crater into the ground, removing tons and tons of dirt.

How much dirt are we talking about?

This structure is approximately 200 feet long, 65 feet wide and 100 feet deep.

I calculated the approximate volume of this, so first they had to remove 65,000 tons, yes

65,000 tons of dirt from top to bottom, this was the negative part of the construction.

This is by no means an easy job, even today.

If you use modern earth moving machines, it can still take a very long time.

But this is actually the easy part of the construction.

After this, they had to start from the bottom most level, and start adding stone blocks.

This is the positive construction technique.

But, at this depth of 100 feet, water seeps into the soil and makes the soil wet.

So, they had to put in a very strong foundation.

How many stone blocks were used for this construction?

Too many to count.

How many floors do you think this structure has?

7 floors, yes it has a total 7 levels just like most Hindu temples.

Every level is filled with pillars, beams, not to mention beautiful statues.

So, imagine the amount of time and effort needed to create such a brilliant structure.

What is Rani Ki Vav’s real name?

Why was such a structure built?

Why did the builders want to create a negative structure?

Did something happen to the builders while constructing a massive negative structure?

Is this why they abandoned this site?

Please let me know your thoughts in the comments section, I am Praveen Mohan, thanks a lot

for watching, don’t forget to subscribe and I will talk to you soon.

Bye!