Augharnath Temple

During British times the Indian army was called ‘Kali Platen’ known as the black army. As the temple was located close to the army barrack, it is been known by the name of ‘Kali Paltan mandir’. Its close proximity to the Indian army camps offered a safe haven for freedom fighters, who used to visit and stay here for their secret meetings with the officers of ‘Kali Paltan’.

During the Revolt of 1857 there was a well inside the complex of the temple that the soldiers used to quench their thirst frequently. In the year 1856, the Government introduced new cartridges and the soldiers which were supposed to remove its seal using their teeth. Since the seal was made of cow fat and as the cow was sacred in Hinduism, the priest disallowed them to use the well.

Until the year 1944 the temple had huge complex consisting only of a small temple and the nearby well. Then the temple was surrounded by huge cluster of trees. In 1968, a new temple with modern architecture including the old shivlinga very much there but only replaced the old temple was built. In 1987, a huge hexagonal hall was built for the purpose of religious ceremonies and ‘bhajans’. In May 2001, a 4.5 kg gold plated ‘kalash’ (pitcher) was installed at the spire of the temple.