PRYAG NARAYAN TEMPLE KANPUR
Maharaj Prayag Narayan Temple situated in Shivala still introduces us to South Indian style, know the history of this place
The temple was established in the year 1861 and the construction work was completed in 14 years. Eleven hundred Acharyas from South India had come for worship. The wishes of the devotees who wish to see the sattvik combination of cultures are fulfilled in the Baikunth Temple of Kanpur.
Maharaj Prayag Narayan Temple located in the central Shivala area of the city is also known as Shri Baikunth Temple.Maharaja Prayag Narayan Temple, one of the major temples of South Indian style, established by Maharaja Revati Ram Tiwari in the year 1861, remains famous in the country and abroad for its amazing art style. In view of the historicity of this temple, in the year 2009, the Indian Postal Department had issued a special cover on the temple.
Construction was completed in 14 years
Vijay Narayan Tiwari Mukul, President of Shri Prayag Narayan Mandir Shivala, said that the construction work of this huge temple of Kanpur, which is included in the temples of India’s main Ramanuj sect, was completed in about 14 years. At the time of his consecration, 1100 Acharyas had come from South India, who performed the puja and anointment in the temple amidst chanting of mantras. He told that in the year 1847, after Maharaja Revati Ram Tiwari, the resolution to build the temple was taken by his son Shri Prayag Narayan Tiwari.Shri Prayag Narayan Tiwari had given up food and consumed only fruits till the completion of the construction work of the temple. His resolution was fulfilled after the construction work was completed in 14 years.
This temple boasts of its grandeur
The temple was established on the full moon day of Magh Shukla Paksha which is celebrated every year as Magh Mela Brahma Utsav. On this day, the Lord is worshiped with eternal light. Kali Chaturbhuj idol was found in the excavation done during the construction of the temple. Which was broken to some extent, after which the silver doors of Jagmohan Mandap near the sanctum sanctorum of the temple are still present. The importance of temple drums continues from ancient times till today. Every day during Aarti, drums made of camel skin are played.During the freedom struggle of 1847, these drums were played by the soldiers of Nana Rao Peshwa during the war cry.Later, the Tiwari family acquired them in an auction conducted by the British Police. Bhaktavatsal Narayan Ji Maharaj, Lord Venkatesh, Bhudevi, Neela Devi, Sudarshan, Lord Garuda Maharaj and Sri Godarangmannar Maharaj are present in this temple built in South Indian art style. In this huge temple situated in Shivalaya, the main entrance is built about 56 feet high. Where a huge statue of Garun, beloved of Lord Lakshmi Narayan, is installed, which is one of the largest statues of North India.
Temple manager Abhinav Narayan Tiwari said that daily worship in the temple is done in Tamil and Sanskrit language by Narada Aagam method. He told that every day during Mangala Aarti, there is a tradition of bringing a cow in front of God, after which the priest opens the door and performs the Aarti. First Baal Bhog is offered to the Lord in the afternoon and night in which various types of dishes are offered to the Lord. The temple has a tradition of one to 30 days of celebration every year. In which the one month long Dhanurmas festival is especially celebrated.The wishes of the devotees who wish to see the sattvik combination of culture of North and South India are fulfilled in the Baikunth Temple of Kanpur.
