Ausaneshwar Mahadev: A Shivalinga which Aurangzeb wanted to destroy, could not do so because of snakes and scorpions.

The Shivalinga of Ausaneshwar is established amidst the beautiful greenery on the holy banks of Gomti, six kilometers away from the Haidergarh tehsil headquarters of Barabanki district of UP. There are many beliefs regarding this Shivalinga. There is a belief that a sailor named Ausan had established this Shivalinga. After this the king of Roni state got the temple constructed.

Another belief is that the king reached the forest while hunting. There was a beam of light here at the time of evening. Since the evening time is also called Ausan, this temple was named Ausaneshwar Mahadev. According to the Archeology Department, the temple building is about four hundred and fifty years old. This temple is spread over an area of ​​two and a half acres. This temple was occupied by Niang Sadhus for 14 generations, who were related to Junagadh Akhara Allahabad.

Shiva devotees worship here during Shivratri and Sawan. There is also a belief that Pandavas had worshiped this Shivalinga. It is said that this Shivalinga was ordered to be destroyed by the Mughal ruler Aurangzeb. When the soldiers tried to cut the Shivalinga, blood started flowing from the Shivalinga. At that time, creatures like snakes, scorpions, wasps etc. came out of the temple and started biting the soldiers. The soldiers, distressed by their stings, ran away.

This effort of Aurangzeb could not be completed. According to the popular stories, to heal the wound on Shivalinga, the priests here applied a cotton swab dipped in ghee on the wound for many years. Due to which the wound healed but the mark is still present. Mahant Avasan, the first abbot of this holy shrine, has fallen. After Mahant Avsan Giri ji, there were total 14 Mahants like Baghambar Giri, Pitambar Giri, Shadha Giri etc. Those who remain Nihang.

The tombs of these Mahants have been submerged due to the change in the current of Adi Ganga Gomti flowing nearby. Shiva devotees reach here lying down and circumambulating.

A huge crowd gathers here on the occasion of Monday of Sawan. Apart from the district, people from far and wide come to this temple to have darshan of Shiva.