Famous Temples in India

Architecture

The premises has an ornately carved Shiva temple with various unique features. These include a seven storeyed step well, a big pond with steps and cenotaphs around it, few more smaller enclosures, a palace. The seven storey step well or Baoli is the first structure one can see after entering the gate. One more story, submerged in water too was visible. However the stories below that could not be seen. There was a narrow canal like opening through which deep down, water could be seen in a long stretch. In between, at regular distances, horizontal platforms connected verandahs of both the sides. On the farthest end was a huge circular well-like structure. The well had a circular, covered verandah around it. Perhaps the area was used by noblewomen for bathing.

The floor of the verandah running in front of these chambers is very interesting. Two games, chaupar and ludo were engraved on the floor. The Verandahs in front of temples feature devotees chanting, singing bhajans and offering prayers. Indoor games are a surprising addition! On the other end of verandah, staircases from both the sides lead to the roof top. A few feet ahead the verandah lies an oval small pond shaped structure. Reaching the rooftop one can even touch the ornately carved Shikharas of temples. The richly carved shikharas display images of various gods, goddesses, mythological creatures, animals and some erotic figures too. This open rooftop was connected to the palace through passages. In front of the Shikhara, on a small covered platform, sat Ganesha. That may be one reason that the temple is popular as a Ganesha temple among locals even though the main deity was Shiva.

Another beauty of Ganesh bagh is the big pond near the temple. steps from all the four sides lead to water . The pond is square in shape. Few cenotaphs around the pond were still intact, though indications were apparent that there were more such structures around the pond.