US, April 15 -- After having lived in Gujarat for close to thirty of my forty-six years on this planet, I have travelled to the most remote pockets of the state. However, last month I made a trip to Patan, which is only a six-hour drive from Ahmedabad, but returned with a treasure trove of memories, having visited one of the most beautiful stepwells in India.

Called Rani ki Vav (Queen's Stepwell), this ancient treasure is located at Patan, 135 km away from Ahmedabad, and offers a great experience to Indian families who want to spend a blissful day away from the vagaries of stressful life.

Stepwells are subterranean structures with steps leading down to the water level and are found in large numbers in the arid regions of Gujarat and Raj...