The Only Hindu Temple Built By the British

In 1879, when there was British were ruling in India, Lt. Col. Martin of Agar Malva was leading
the army in the war against Afghanistan.

Col. Martin used to regularly send messages of his well-being to his wife. The war continued for
long & Lady Martin stopped getting messages. She was very upset.
Once riding on her horse, she passed by the temple of Baijnath Mahadev. She was attracted to
the sound of Conch & Mantra. She went inside and came to know that the Brahmanas were
worshipping Lord Shiva. They saw her sad face and asked her problem. She explained
everything to them. They told her that Lord Shiva listens to the prayers of devotees and takes
them out of difficult situations in no time. With the advice of the Brahmanas she started the
Laghurudri Anushtthan of the Mantra: Om Namah Shivaya for 11 days. She prayed to Lord
Shiva that if her husband reaches home safely, then she would get the temple renovated.

On the last of the Laghurudri a messenger came and gave a letter to her. Her husband had
written: I was regularly sending messages to you from the battle grounds but suddenly the
Pathans surrounded us from all sides. We were entrapped in a situation where there was no scope
of escaping death. Suddenly I saw a Yogi of India with long hair, carrying a weapon with three
pointers (Trishul). His personality was amazing and he was maneuvering his weapon with a
magnificent style. Seeing this great man, the Pathans started running back. With his grace our
bad times turned into moments of victory. This was possible only because of that man of India
wearing a lion skin & carrying a three-pointer weapon (Trishul). That great Yogi told me that I
should not worry and that he had come to rescue me because he was very pleased with my wifes
prayers.

Tears of joy were falling down the eyes of Lady Martins eyes while reading the letter. Her heart
was overwhelmed. She fell into the feet of Lord Shivas statue and burst in tears.

After a few weeks Col. Martin returned. Lady Martin narrated the whole incident to him. Now
both husband & wife became devotees of Lord Shiva. In 1883 they donated Rs. 15,000 for
renovating the temple. The information engraved slab for the same is still there in the Baijnath
Mahadev Temple of Agar Malva. This is the only Hindu temple built by the British. When Lady
Martin left for Europe she said that they would make Shiva Temple at their home and pray to
Him till the end of life.