Shiv Kachari Mahadev Temple, Prayagraj – The court of Lord Shiva
In 1865, the King of Nepal Rana General Padmajang Bahadur established each form of Shiva linga to create this temple in Shivkuti on the banks of river Ganga. Does the name sound intriguing. Yes, because kachari translates to a court of justice. It is believed that Lord Shiva sets up court here where devotees can ask for forgiveness. Welcome to Incredible Prayagraj.
Location of Shiv Kachari Mahadev Temple
At the time of writing this article, this temple has not been properly marked on Google Maps. Firstly there are two locations, each named as Shiv Kachahari and Lord Shiva Temple respectively and both have been wrongly marked on Google Maps. Thankfully this place is well known locally and you can ask for directions easily.
Ganga river running from the west to the east reached Prayagraj and suddenly takes a right turn and heads south to meet Triveni Sangam. There are three bridges, one of which is the Chandrashekhar Azad bridge under which we have the beautiful and pristine stretch of Mahaveerpuri Ganga Ghat and Shivkuti Ganga Ghat. An evening walk along this river bank is the perfect counter to a long and hard day enjoyed both by individuals and families. What is missing as a relief is the usual crowds of hawkers which are absent on both these ghats. The road further leads to another temple on the river banks called Shiv Kuti Temple. This locality is called Shiv Kuti.
To reach Shiv Kachari Mahadev Temple you can reach Teliyarganj Chauraha and then take a right turn on the Narayani Ashram Road which further moves to Shivkuti Road which turns left headed towards the temple. You still need to search since the temple is not located on the main road.
Significance of Shiv Kachari Mahadev Temple
Perhaps the only temple which has 288 Shiv Lingas and sees devotees coming to prayer for all the year long. However the month of Sawan is when the rush of devotees increases many times. Of course on festival days like Mahashivratri there will be a massive crowd of devotees.
Devotees primarily come to ask for forgiveness and pray for their forefathers. Some of them ask forgiveness with folded hands and palms joined while others hold ears and do situps as a form of self punishment or penance. Devotees also offer prayers traditionally by offering water and belpatra on each shiva linga.
One Shivalinga is distinct with its size and stature. That one is believed to represent Lord Shiva as a Chief Justice and the rest of the Shiva Lingas are judges and lawyers to assist the Lord.
Devotees believe that no one can count the exact number of Shiv Lingas. Some say it is 286, someone counts it as 255. Locals believe in this miracle as the power of Lord Shiva.
Each and every form of Shivling is established here, Nageshwar, Chandeshwar, Siddheshwar and so on.
Devotees also write letters of forgiveness but that trend is slowly fading away.
Historic connection
There is an interesting story behind the origin of this temple. When Ram and Laxman along with Sita reached Prayag to meet Bhardwaj Rishi who had his ashram here, the learned sage refused to grant him an audience. Bhardwaj Rishi had learnt that Ram had caused harm to a brahmin. As a solution, Ram was ordered to worship “Ek Koti” shivalingas. What first appeared an impossible task was made easy by a clue from the rishi, each grain of sand on the banks of river Ganga is equivalent to one Shiva Linga. Hence, Lord Ram established the Koteshwar Temple Shivalinga to worship Lord Shiva. Thus began the tradition to worship Shiva Lingas and ask for forgiveness. It is perhaps this reason that the Royal Family of Nepal decided to mark their contribution here by constructing this temple.
