Shiva Temple Built By An Englishman
Picture Credits:agarmalwa.mp.gov.in
Shiva Temple Built By An Englishman. Madhya Pradesh’s Baijnath Mahadev Temple has a special connection with the British. This Shiva temple in Agar Malwa is India’s only temple to be built by Britishers during colonial rule. And there was a divine reason behind it. Lieutenant Colonel Martin and his wife claimed to have witnessed Lord Shiva’s miraculous powers first-hand.
British India War Against Afghans
The story dates back to 1879 when the British Indian army was engaged in an intense war against the Afghans. Lieutenant Colonel C Martin left his wife back at home in Agar Malwa to fight the war. During the course of the war, Lt Col Martin and his wife stayed in touch through letters.
Picture Credits:Wikipedia
He pacified his worried wife about his well-being and the happenings on the battlefield. But over time, his wife stopped receiving his letters. Failing to contact her husband, Mrs Martin feared the worst. Her health started deteriorating.
Colonel’s Better Half Visits Shiva Sanctuary For His Well Being
To quiet herself and restore her expectation, she invested energy horse riding. One day as she rode her pony, she passed by the fifteenth century Baijnath Mahadev sanctuary close by. It was the aarti time. The resonating sound of conches, mantras and chimes attracted her.
Seeing a hopeless Englishwoman in a sanctuary, the ministers enquired about her concerns. On sharing her story, they told her that Master Shiva generally satisfies the true wishes of enthusiasts and recoveries them from any mischief. They encouraged her to recite the mantra “Om Namah Shivaya” for 11 days.
Saved By Extraordinary Experience With Indian Yogi
On the tenth day, Mrs Martin made the way for witness a courier from Afghanistan. He held a letter from her better half. At the point when she opened the letter, Lieutenant Colonel Martin unwound a hair-raising occurrence. In his letter he mentioned about fierce battle with the Pathans.
It was extraordinary to such an extent that there was never a way out. Losing all expectation, he arranged for the most awful Unexpectedly, an Indian yogi showed up out of nowhere. Wearing a tiger skin, with long braids he conveyed a pike. The strong being employed a pike against the Afghans, who were terrified to the point that they quickly withdrew.
Baijnath Mahadev Temple: India’s Only Temple built By English
The army won a war that they were certain was going to end in defeat. But that’s not all. The Indian yogi turned around and spoke to Colonel Martin. He calmly assured the colonel to leave his worries aside. After all, the powerful being came to the battlefield as he was impressed by his wife’s heartfelt prayers. The couple were taken aback by Lord Shiva’s powers. So much so, that they became his ardent devotees.
In 1880s British Couple Lieutenant Colonel C Martin and His Wife Renovated Baijnath Temple of Lord Shiva In Agar Malwa, Madhya Pradesh ( Photo – https://t.co/D9ENdrnQ5X )@indiahistorypic pic.twitter.com/dzOCXSWpVJ
— Dr Andrew Fleming (@Andrew007Uk) March 5, 2018
In 1883, Mr and Mrs Martin donated ₹15,000 to rebuild Baijnath Mahadev Temple. While the Martins sailed back to England, they promised to continue revering the Hindu God. To date, devotees can find a slab in the temple dedicated to the historic story behind a British couple’s special connection with Lord Shiva.
