Baijnaath Mahaadev Mandir

Overview

Agar is a tourist attraction, famous for the temple of Jai Baba Baijnaath. It was built by the wife of a British army officer after a battle in Afghanistan where his life was miraculously saved, allegedly by Lord Shiva's intervention. Agar is a town in the state of Madhya Pradesh, India.

History of the Temple

In 1879, when there was British Rule in India, Lt. Col. Martin of Agar Maalavaa was leading the army in the war against Afaghaanistaan. Col. Martin used to regularly send messages of his well-being to his wife. The war continued for long and at one time Lady Martin stopped getting messages from her husband. She was very upset.

Once riding on her horse, she passed by the temple of Baijnaath Mahaadev. She was attracted to the sound of Conch and Mantra. She went inside and came to know that the Braahman were worshipping Shiv. They saw her sad face and asked her why was she sad?. She explained everything to them. They told her that Shiv listens to the prayers of his devotees and takes them out of difficult situations in no time. With the advice of the Braahman, she started the "Laghu Rudri Anushthaan" of the Mantra: "Om Namah Shivaaya" for 11 days. She prayed to Shiva that if her husband reaches home safely, then she would get the temple renovated.

On the last day of the Laghu Rudri, a messenger came and gave a letter to her. It was from her husband. he had written: "I was regularly sending messages to you from the battlefield, but suddenly the Pathaan surrounded us from all sides. We were entrapped in a situation where there was no scope of escaping death. Suddenly, I saw a Yogee of India with long hair, carrying a weapon with three pointers (Trishool). His personality was amazing and he was maneuvering his weapon with a magnificent style. Seeing this great man, the Pathaan started running back. With his grace, our bad times turned into moments of victory. This was possible only because of that man of India wearing a lion skin and carrying that three-pointer weapon. That great Yogee told me that I should not worry about anything, as he had come to rescue me because he was very pleased with my wife's prayers. Tears of joy were falling down from the eyes of Lady Martin's eyes while reading the letter. Her heart was overwhelmed with the gratefulness to the God. She fell into the feet of Shiv's statue and burst into tears.

After a few weeks, Col. Martin returned. Lady Martin narrated the whole incident to him. Now both husband and wife became devotees of Shiv. In 1883, they donated Rs. 15,000/- for renovating the temple. The information engraved slab for the same is still there in the Baijnaath Mahaadev Temple of Agar Maalavaa. This is the only Hindu temple built by British. When Lady Martin left for Europe, she said that they would make one Shiv Temple at their home also and pray to him till the end of their life.

Festivals

The Baijnaath Pashu (cattle) Mela of Agar on Chaitra and Kartik months is quite famous. Thousands of pilgrims use to converge here in every Poornima, Mondays of Shravan month and on also in Shiva Rathri. The last Monday of Shravan month is celebrated as the annual function of “Shiv Sawari”.

Accessibility

Airport

Nearest airport to Agar is Holkar Airport, Indore.

Railways

Nearest railway station to Agar is Shajapur Railways Station.

Road

Nearest bus stand to Agar is Agra Malwa Bus Stand.

Temple Address