The revolt of 1857, is widely known as the First War of Independence against the British East India Company. Though unsuccessful, it played a major role in bringing all the Indians together to challenge British imperialism. It is recounted frequently throughout our history, yet little is known of the place where the revolt commenced.
Augharnath Temple, also known as Kali Paltan Mandir in the local dialect is where the Indian Rebellion of 1857 started. This temple is located in the cantonment area of the city of Meerut. The town is situated in the western region of Uttar Pradesh in India.
The temple is named after the word ‘Kali Paltan’ which was associated with the Indian army during the pre-independence era. The British had established an army training center here due to the peaceful environment suitable for security and secrecy. Being close to the Indian troops, many freedom fighters used to come to this temple, stay there, and hold secret consultations with the officers of those troops. The army soldiers were used to drinking water from the well located on the temple premises.
The arrival of new gun cartridges in 1856 also became the main reason for the first freedom movement. These cartridges were opened with the mouth before use, which had cow fat on them. Hence, the priest of the temple refused to give water to the army soldiers. Thus, before the planned date of May 31, the restless army soldiers ignited the revolution against the British by sounding the bugle, an instrument used to signal especially used for military purposes on May 10, 1857.
The soldiers of the Bengal army began the Indian Rebellion by opposing the Britishers in authority. This action was triggered by numerous factors including religious beliefs, unjust British policies, and economic grievances. The revolt spread through the Gangetic plains and Central India through a series of civil rebellions.
During the time of brave Marathas, many prominent Peshwas used to visit this temple before the Vijay Yatra and worship lord Shiva with great devotion. The old people knew of the forest adjacent to the training center, there was a small Shiv temple, and with the idea of uplifting the temple, the foundation stone of this new temple, now known as the Augharnath Temple was laid. A memorial site has been set up within the temple premises to honor the sacrifices of our freedom fighters.
This temple is an ancient Siddhapeeth, where people have been worshipping Shiva and getting their wishes fulfilled. The Shivling installed in this temple is self-manifested, that is formed naturally without human intervention. It is the form of Aughaddani Shiv who has been fulfilling the wishes of devotees for eternity. The temple premises, now also include Shree Radha-Krishna and Goddess Durga shrines. It has become a pilgrimage site that draws huge crowds of ‘kanwarias’, on the occasion of Shivratri. ‘Kanwarias’ basically are the devotees of Lord Shiva who travel miles of distance to bring the holy Ganga water into their pitchers for ‘Jal Abhishek’. The temple, every year lights up for festivals like Janmashtami, Shivratri, and the whole of Sawan month.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi is one of the dignitaries who visited this religious and historically significant temple to offer prayers along with the governor, chief minister Yogi Adityanath, and deputy chief minister of Uttar Pradesh. They also visited the Shaheed Smark and paid tribute to the martyrs of 1857. This temple serves as a sacred site of pilgrimage and a tribute to the warriors who sacrificed their lives for the vision of a free India.
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