Rani Ki Vav 3D projection show wins Gold at WOW Awards Asia 2026
Synopsis
A stepwell built in the 11th century just became a gold-standard for heritage tech in Asia. Rani Ki Vav's 3D projection mapping show — inaugurated by PM Modi in March and already seen by over 44,000 visitors — has taken top honours at WOW Awards Asia 2026, signalling a new playbook for how India presents its UNESCO monuments.
Key Takeaways
Rani Ki Vav 's 3D projection mapping show won the Gold Award at the 17th WOW Awards Asia 2026 in the audio-visual category.
The show has attracted more than 44,209 visitors since launch, as of 12 July 2025 .
The installation was virtually inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 31 March .
Rani Ki Vav in Patan, Gujarat has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2014 .
The stepwell was commissioned by Queen Udayamati in memory of King Bhima I of the Solanki dynasty .
Rani Ki Vav, the UNESCO World Heritage Site stepwell in Patan, Gujarat, has earned a Gold Award at the 17th WOW Awards Asia 2026 for its immersive 3D projection mapping show — recognising the state government's use of cutting-edge audio-visual technology to reinterpret one of India's most celebrated heritage monuments. The honour was awarded in the 'Experiential Tech Awards – Achievement in Audio-Visual for an Event' category.
The Show and Its Scale
The permanent installation at the 11th-century stepwell pairs large-scale 3D projection mapping with a heritage lighting system to narrate the history and architectural legacy of the monument. The stepwell was commissioned by Queen Udayamati in memory of King Bhima I of the Solanki dynasty, and its intricately carved stone panels now serve as the canvas for the nightly visual experience.
Since its launch earlier this year, the show has drawn more than 44,209 visitors as of 12 July 2025, according to the state government — a figure that underscores rapid public uptake for what began as an experimental heritage-tech initiative.
How the Project Came Together
The installation was virtually inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 31 March, after which the appointed implementing agency took over operations and maintenance. That same agency subsequently submitted the project for nomination at the WOW Awards Asia 2026, where it secured the top prize.
The WOW Awards Asia are among the region's most recognised industry honours for excellence in events and experiential technology. Winning gold in a technical audio-visual category places Rani Ki Vav's installation among Asia's leading heritage-tech deployments.
Why Rani Ki Vav Matters
Rani Ki Vav was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2014, cited for its exceptional stepwell architecture and the density of its sculptural programme — over 500 principal sculptures and more than 1,000 minor carvings line its seven levels. It is consistently ranked among Gujarat's most visited heritage sites and draws significant domestic and international footfall each year.
The projection show adds a contemporary interpretive layer to a monument that has historically relied on on-site signage and guided tours. Notably, this is part of a broader push by the Gujarat government to deploy immersive technology across its heritage circuit, positioning the state as a leader in experiential tourism.
Significance for India's Heritage Tourism
The Gold Award arrives as India accelerates efforts to modernise heritage site experiences ahead of rising international visitor numbers. The Rani Ki Vav project is among the first permanent 3D projection installations at a UNESCO-listed monument in the country, making the WOW Awards recognition a potential benchmark for similar initiatives at sites such as Hampi, Ajanta, and Ellora.
With visitor numbers already crossing 44,000 within months of launch, state officials are expected to evaluate an expansion of the experiential lighting programme to other heritage nodes in North Gujarat.
Point of View
But the more consequential number is 44,209 — the visitors who experienced Rani Ki Vav differently because of it. India has long struggled to make its UNESCO sites legible to mass audiences beyond archaeology enthusiasts; a permanent projection installation that draws crowds within months of launch suggests the model works. The real question is whether the Gujarat government and the Archaeological Survey of India treat this as a replicable template or a one-off prestige project. With Hampi, Ajanta, and Ellora all underserved on experiential infrastructure, the opportunity cost of not scaling is significant.
NationPress
14 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Rani Ki Vav 3D projection mapping show?
It is a permanent immersive audio-visual installation at the 11th-century stepwell of Rani Ki Vav in Patan, Gujarat, combining large-scale 3D projection mapping with heritage lighting to narrate the monument's history and architectural legacy. The show was virtually inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 31 March and has since drawn over 44,209 visitors.
What award did Rani Ki Vav's projection show win?
The show won the Gold Award at the 17th WOW Awards Asia 2026 in the 'Experiential Tech Awards – Achievement in Audio-Visual for an Event' category. The WOW Awards Asia recognise excellence in events and experiential technology across the region.
Why is Rani Ki Vav historically significant?
Rani Ki Vav is an 11th-century stepwell in Patan, Gujarat, commissioned by Queen Udayamati in memory of King Bhima I of the Solanki dynasty. It was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2014, recognised for its exceptional stepwell architecture and dense sculptural programme.
How many people have visited the Rani Ki Vav projection show?
According to the Gujarat state government, more than 44,209 visitors had experienced the 3D projection mapping show as of 12 July 2025, reflecting strong public interest since the show's launch earlier in 2025.
Who is responsible for operating the Rani Ki Vav projection installation?
Following the virtual inauguration by PM Modi on 31 March, the appointed implementing agency assumed responsibility for operating and maintaining the installation. The same agency submitted the project for nomination at the WOW Awards Asia 2026.
