Ganesh Bagh

About Ganesh Bagh

Ganesh Bagh lies about eleven kilometres out on the Karvi-Devangana road. The complex holds an architecturally fine temple, a baoli of seven storeys and the ruins of a palace. The whole of it was built by Peshwa Vinayak Rao as a summer retreat, and it is known locally as mini-Khajuraho for the quality of the carving on the temple.

Across the complex

The carved temple

The temple is the reason for the mini-Khajuraho nickname. The carving is the best work in the complex, and it rewards a slow walk around the exterior rather than a look from the doorway.

The seven storey baoli

The stepwell descends through seven storeys, which is unusual, and the sense of depth from the top is the most striking thing at Ganesh Bagh. Mind the edges, as there are no proper railings.

The palace ruins

What remains of the Peshwa summer palace is ruined but legible enough to show how the retreat was laid out around the temple and the water.

Planning your visit

Eleven kilometres out on the Karvi-Devangana road means a vehicle. The site is unstaffed in practice, so plan for no facilities.

• Take a vehicle and tell the driver it is on the Karvi-Devangana road.
• Keep children well away from the open baoli edges.
• Carry water and go in the morning for the best light on the carving.
• Allow about an hour for the temple, baoli and ruins together.

Best time to visit

October to March suits a walking visit here. Morning light is kindest on the temple carving. In the monsoon the stepwell and the ruined masonry are slippery and the site needs more care. Summer middays are best avoided, as there is little shade.