Adi Kadi Vav is a rock-cut stepwell inside Uparkot Fort in Junagadh district, Gujarat. It is one of two famous wells carved into the fort’s living rock, and the easier of the pair to reach on foot. This guide covers what the stepwell is, the legend behind its name, how it differs from the neighbouring Navghan Kuvo, and how to plan a calm, well-timed visit.
Adi Kadi Vav, in Junagadh district, Gujarat, is a stepwell cut straight down into a single mass of rock inside Uparkot Fort. A narrow flight of stairs leads to a deep well shaft. Gujarat Tourism dates the structure to the 15th century and lists about 120 steps, though histories disagree on the count.
Key takeaways
- Adi Kadi Vav is a monolithic stepwell carved entirely from solid rock inside Uparkot Fort, Junagadh, Gujarat; it has no masonry pillars or walls.
- Gujarat Tourism and the Junagadh district administration date it to the 15th century and describe a narrow flight of about 120 stairs down to the well.
- Best time to visit is November to February, when daytime temperatures sit around 10–25°C, per Gujarat Tourism (as of September 2026).
- The nearest airport is Rajkot, about 102 km away per the district administration; Junagadh is on the Western Railway’s Ahmedabad–Veraval line.
- Adi Kadi Vav is distinct from Navghan Kuvo, the other Uparkot well, which is deeper and has a staircase that spirals around its shaft.
- Uparkot Fort reopened in late September 2023 after a multi-year restoration; confirm entry fee and timings at the fort counter, as official pages do not publish a fixed fee (as of September 2026).
About Adi Kadi Vav
Adi Kadi Vav is a stepwell hewn out of a single body of natural rock, not assembled from cut stone. According to Gujarat Tourism and the Junagadh district administration, it was carved in the 15th century, and a narrow flight of roughly 120 stairs descends through the rock to the well shaft.
What makes it unusual is the method. Most Gujarat stepwells are masonry structures with carved pillars and galleries. Here, the entire corridor and shaft were quarried downward into the hillside, so the walls are bare rock faces rather than built surfaces. Wikipedia, drawing on published histories, describes it as a stepwell of the plain “Nanda” type, carved from solid rock with no ornamentation, pillars or built shafts.
Sources disagree on the step count and the depth. Gujarat Tourism and the district site give about 120 stairs; a published account cited by Wikipedia (Bhatt, 2014) gives 166 steps and a depth of 123 feet, while Gujarat Tourism separately lists the well as about 41 m deep. The construction date is also uncertain: the official district figure is the 15th century, but scholars have variously proposed the 10th–11th century under the Chudasama rulers, and one account even cites a much older origin. Treat the exact number and date as unsettled, and the 15th-century, roughly-120-step figures as the official position (as of September 2026).
The stepwell sits within Uparkot Fort, on the eastern side of Junagadh city, close to the Girnar hills. For wider context on the region, see our Gujarat travel guide.
The Adi-Kadi legend
According to local belief, Adi Kadi Vav is named after two girls, Adi and Kadi, and two versions of the story survive. The point below is tradition, not documented history.
In the first version, a ruler had the well dug but found no water. A royal priest is said to have advised that water would appear only if two unmarried girls were sacrificed; after Adi and Kadi were offered, water is said to have come. The second version, which the Junagadh district site calls less dramatic but more likely, holds that Adi and Kadi were simply royal servant girls who fetched water from the well each day. Both versions are recorded as folklore by the district administration and by published histories.
A living custom attaches to the tale. Visitors and locals still tie cloth and bangles to a tree beside the well in memory of the two girls, a practice noted by the district site and by cited histories. Enjoy the story for what it is, a piece of Junagadh’s oral heritage, and keep the dated, sourced facts separate from the legend.
Adi Kadi Vav versus Navghan Kuvo
Adi Kadi Vav and Navghan Kuvo are two different rock-cut water structures inside the same fort, and visitors often confuse them. Adi Kadi Vav is a stepwell with a straight, narrow flight of steps; Navghan Kuvo is a stepped well whose staircase spirals around the central shaft.
Per Gujarat Tourism, Navghan Kuvo is cut about 52 m deep and is close to a thousand years old, and its spiralling stair was designed so the fort could draw water during a siege. Adi Kadi Vav, by contrast, is the later, shallower, straight-descent well dated by officials to the 15th century. A well-known Gujarati saying, recorded in the stepwell literature, bundles the two together as sights no visitor should miss. See both on the same walk, but keep their names and forms distinct.
Best time to visit
The best time to visit Adi Kadi Vav and Junagadh is November to February, when the weather is comfortable for walking the fort and climbing nearby Girnar. Gujarat Tourism names November to February as the best window for Uparkot.
Summers (April–June) in this part of Saurashtra are hot, often above 40°C, while the monsoon (July–September) brings heavy rain that leaves stone steps slippery, so take care on the stepwell stairs in the wet months. Winter also coincides with Junagadh’s big pilgrim gatherings around Girnar, so expect larger crowds in town during the Bhavnath Fair and Girnar Parikrama season.
| Season | Months | Conditions | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Winter (best) | November–February | Roughly 10–25°C | Ideal for the fort walk and the Girnar climb |
| Summer | April–June | Often above 40°C | Hot and dry; visit early morning, carry water |
| Monsoon | July–September | Heavy rain spells | Steps get slippery; move slowly and watch footing |
How to reach Adi Kadi Vav
Adi Kadi Vav is inside Uparkot Fort on the east side of Junagadh city, reachable by air, rail and road. The Junagadh district administration lists Rajkot as the nearest airport, about 102 km away, with onward taxis and buses to Junagadh.
By air, Keshod airport (IXK) near Junagadh is closer than Rajkot but is served by only limited regional flights and is under redevelopment, so most travellers still route through Rajkot (as of September 2026). By rail, Junagadh sits on the Western Railway network; Gujarat Tourism notes express services on the Ahmedabad–Veraval line, and Junagadh Junction is the city station. By road, national and state highways link Junagadh to the rest of Gujarat, and GSRTC and private buses run from major cities. Within the fort, reach the stepwell on foot; the fort has introduced internal transport options for the longer stretches.
| Mode | Gateway | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Air | Rajkot Airport | About 102 km per the district administration; taxi or bus onward |
| Air (closer) | Keshod (IXK) | Nearer Junagadh but limited regional flights; under redevelopment |
| Rail | Junagadh Junction | Western Railway; express trains on the Ahmedabad–Veraval line |
| Road | GSRTC / private buses | NH and SH links across Gujarat; auto or taxi to the fort gate |
Things to see at Uparkot Fort
Adi Kadi Vav is one stop on a compact circuit inside Uparkot Fort, so plan to see the whole fort in one visit. The fort itself is old; Gujarat Tourism repeats the tradition that it dates to around 319 BC and was later extended many times, and it reopened in late September 2023 after a major restoration led by the state tourism corporation.
The two rock-cut wells are the headline sights, but the fort also holds rock-cut Buddhist caves, a former mosque and historic cannons. Treat fees for individual sub-sites, such as the caves, as payable on the day; official pages do not publish fixed figures.
| Sight | What it is | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Adi Kadi Vav | Monolithic rock-cut stepwell | About 120 steps; 15th century per officials |
| Navghan Kuvo | Deep rock-cut well with a spiral stair | About 52 m deep; built for siege-time water |
| Buddhist caves | Rock-cut monastic caves | Separate small ticket reported on site |
| Jama Masjid | Former mosque within the walls | Associated with Mahmud Begada |
| Historic cannons | Bell-metal cannons on the ramparts | Linked to the mid-16th-century Siege of Diu |
A suggested itinerary
A half day covers Uparkot Fort and its wells comfortably; a full day adds Girnar or Junagadh’s other sights.
- Morning: Enter Uparkot soon after opening while it is cool. Start with Navghan Kuvo, then walk to Adi Kadi Vav and take your time on the steps.
- Late morning: See the Buddhist caves, the former mosque and the rampart cannons, with views toward the Girnar hills.
- Afternoon: Head into Junagadh town for lunch and Mahabat Maqbara, or rest before an early Girnar start the next day.
- Next day (optional): Begin the Girnar climb or ropeway before dawn to beat the heat and the queues.
Where to stay
Junagadh town has the nearest accommodation to Adi Kadi Vav, across budget to mid-range options, with a few higher-end choices and heritage-style stays. The ranges below are indicative planning estimates, not quoted tariffs; reconfirm live rates before booking (as of September 2026).
- Budget (indicative ₹800–₹1,800): Simple hotels and guesthouses near the bus and railway stations, handy for early starts.
- Mid-range (indicative ₹2,000–₹4,500): Business-style hotels in town with air-conditioning and in-house dining.
- Higher-end / heritage (indicative ₹5,000 and up): A smaller set of premium and heritage-style properties in and around Junagadh.
Book ahead for winter weekends and the Girnar pilgrimage season, when the town fills quickly. For a city base with more hotel choice and onward connections, some travellers pair Junagadh with a stay in Ahmedabad; see our Ahmedabad travel guide.
Food to try
Junagadh eats Kathiawadi (Saurashtra Gujarati) food, which is largely vegetarian, hearty and lightly spiced with jaggery and chilli.
- Kathiawadi thali (a platter of rotla, shaak, dal, kadhi and sweets) is the easiest way to sample the local range in one sitting.
- Bajra no rotlo (thick pearl-millet flatbread) with lasan ki chutney (garlic chutney) and white butter is a regional staple.
- Ganthiya (soft chickpea-flour fried snack) is a classic Saurashtra breakfast or tea-time bite.
- Kesar mango (the local Gir-area mango), in season around summer, is worth seeking out fresh or as pulp.
Stick to busy, freshly cooked stalls and carry water, especially in the warmer months.
Budget breakdown
A simple day in Junagadh centred on Adi Kadi Vav and Uparkot Fort is inexpensive. The figures below are indicative planning estimates per person for one day, excluding long-distance travel and accommodation; reconfirm before you go (as of September 2026).
| Item | Indicative cost | Assumptions |
|---|---|---|
| Uparkot Fort entry | Pay at counter | No fixed fee on official pages; confirm on the day |
| Buddhist caves / extras | Small add-on | Reported as a separate minor ticket on site |
| Local transport (auto/taxi) | ₹300–₹700 | Short city hops and the fort trip |
| Food and water | ₹250–₹500 | A thali meal plus snacks and water |
| Day total (excl. stay/long travel) | Roughly ₹700–₹1,500 plus entry | Indicative only; varies with how you travel |
Permits, timings and rules
No special permit is needed to visit Adi Kadi Vav or Uparkot Fort; it is an open tourist monument. Uparkot is a State Protected Monument, and no inner-line or protected-area permit applies here.
On timings, Gujarat Tourism describes Uparkot as open dawn to dusk, while some listings quote roughly 8 am–6 pm; the exact hours can vary, so check at the gate. Official pages do not publish a fixed entry fee, and visitor reports vary, so confirm the current ticket at the counter rather than relying on a quoted figure (as of September 2026). Inside, the stepwell steps are steep and can be slippery in the monsoon, so wear grippy footwear and mind children at the edges.
Practical tips
- Timing within the day: Go early. Mornings are cooler, the light in the wells is better, and you beat the midday crowds.
- Footwear and footing: The descent into Adi Kadi Vav is a steep rock stair with no handrail in places; step carefully, especially after rain.
- Cash and UPI: Carry some cash for tickets and small vendors; UPI is widely used in town but not guaranteed at every counter.
- Connectivity: Mobile coverage in Junagadh town is generally good; inside the deep wells, signal drops, as you would expect underground.
- Health: Junagadh town has hospitals and pharmacies. Carry water and sun protection in summer.
- Solo and women travellers: Junagadh is a regular tourist and pilgrim town; normal precautions apply. Visit the wells during daylight and busier hours.
- Packing by season: Light cottons and a hat for summer; a light layer for winter mornings; waterproofs and extra grip for the monsoon.
Nearby places
Adi Kadi Vav pairs naturally with Junagadh’s other sights and with the wider Saurashtra circuit. Distances below are approximate planning estimates; reconfirm before you travel.
| Place | Where | Why go |
|---|---|---|
| Girnar Hill and ropeway | Eastern edge of Junagadh city | Hilltop temples, a long stair climb or ropeway |
| Mahabat Maqbara | Central Junagadh | Striking Indo-Islamic royal mausoleum |
| Sakkarbaug Zoo | Junagadh | One of India’s older zoos; Asiatic lions |
| Gir National Park (Sasan Gir) | South-east of Junagadh | The last wild home of the Asiatic lion |
| Somnath temple | South, on the coast | One of India’s most visited temples |
Frequently asked questions
How many steps does Adi Kadi Vav have?
Gujarat Tourism and the Junagadh district administration describe a narrow flight of about 120 stairs down to the well. Some published histories instead give 166 steps. The exact count is disputed, so expect “roughly 120, up to around 166” rather than a single agreed figure (as of September 2026).
What is the Adi Kadi Vav legend?
According to local belief, the well is named after two girls, Adi and Kadi. One version says they were sacrificed so water would appear; the more likely version, per the district site, says they were royal servant girls who drew water daily. People still tie cloth and bangles to a nearby tree in their memory. This is folklore, not documented history.
How is Adi Kadi Vav different from Navghan Kuvo?
Both are rock-cut wells inside Uparkot Fort, but they differ in form. Adi Kadi Vav is a stepwell with a straight, narrow stair, dated by officials to the 15th century. Navghan Kuvo is older and deeper, about 52 m per Gujarat Tourism, with a staircase that spirals around the shaft for siege-time water.
What are the Uparkot Fort timings and entry fee for Adi Kadi Vav?
Gujarat Tourism describes Uparkot Fort as open dawn to dusk, while some listings quote about 8 am to 6 pm; the hours can vary, so check at the gate. Official pages do not publish a fixed entry fee, and visitor reports differ, so confirm the current ticket at the fort counter before you enter (as of September 2026).
What is the best time to visit Adi Kadi Vav?
November to February is the best time, with daytime temperatures around 10–25°C, per Gujarat Tourism. Summers often pass 40°C, and the monsoon from July to September leaves the stone steps slippery. Winter also suits the nearby Girnar climb, so plan the fort and the hill together.
How do I reach Adi Kadi Vav?
Adi Kadi Vav is inside Uparkot Fort on the east side of Junagadh. The nearest airport is Rajkot, about 102 km away per the district administration; Keshod airport is closer but has limited flights. Junagadh is on the Western Railway’s Ahmedabad–Veraval line, with highway and bus links across Gujarat.
Last updated and sources
Go if you like heritage and quiet engineering: Adi Kadi Vav rewards a slow, careful walk down into the rock, best paired with Navghan Kuvo and the rest of Uparkot Fort. Visit on a cool winter morning, November to February, for the easiest climb and the best light.
Last updated: 24 October 2026. Fees, timings and permits change — reconfirm with official sources before you travel.
Sources: Junagadh district administration, “Adi Kadi Vav” (junagadh.nic.in); Gujarat Tourism, “Adi-Kadi Vav and Navghan Kuwo” (gujarattourism.com) and “Uparkot Fort” (gujarattourism.com); Wikipedia, “Adi Kadi Vav” and “Uparkot Fort” (used to locate the published histories cited there, including Jain-Neubauer, The Stepwells of Gujarat, and Bhatt, 2014) (en.wikipedia.org); DeshGujarat, on the 2023 reopening of the restored fort (deshgujarat.com); Airports Authority of India / Wikipedia on Keshod Airport (en.wikipedia.org). Accessed September 2026.
