Agra is known for one of the seven wonders of the world that is Taj Mahal. The city of Agra welcomes footfall from all over the world and almost every tourist visiting here makes it a point to see the three UNESCO World Heritage sites that is Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri.
However a lesser known fact is that Agra is also a land of ancient Shiva temples and infact there are four ancient Shiva temples on the four corners of Agra city and in the middle are two more Shiva temples. All the six are historically relevant and have mythical associations. Let me introduce you to these one by one:-
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1. Kailasha Mahadeva temple : This temple is considered to be 5000 years old. This temple has two Shivlingas. According to legends, lord Parshuram and his father Sage Jamdgni in Treta Yuga did Sadhna and as a result were blessed by lord Shiva himself with two Shivlinga made from soil of Kailash Parvat. Father Son duo decided to rest at mother Renuka's place (Renuka Dham 4 km from temple) at night and placed the two lingas at the present site of temple. The Shivlingas got installed here and place came to be known as Kailash Dham.
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2. Balkeshwar Mahadev temple: This temple is situated on the banks of river Yamuna and is believed to be as old as 700 years old. According to some, there used to be a Bilwa tree forest once where there is now temple. Bil leaves are very dear to lord Shiva and the temple has got its name from the Bilwa tree only.
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3. Rajeshwar Mahadev temple: This temple is again believed to be atleast 850 years old. According to head priest, According to a popular legend, Shivling here was installed by a Seth of Rajkheda, who was traveling with Shivling in his carriage from the banks of the Narmada River. He wanted to install it in Rajakheda but he fell asleep in this place where Rajeshwar temple is now located. He dreamt that Lord Shiva told him to install the Shivling there itself. He ignored the dream and tried to move Shivlinga but it didn't move and got installed there.
An amusing and intriguing legend about Rajeshwar Mahadev temple is that the color of Shivling here changes thrice a day; appearing white during morning aarti, light blue during the afternoon aarti, and pink during the evening aarti.
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4. Prithvinath Mahadev temple: Believed to be several hundred years old, this temple has the legend of ruler Prithviraj Chauhan associated with it. It is said that Prithviraj Chauhan was going by this area which then used to be forest when he stopped here for rest. He tried tying his horse but it would again get loose. He then discovered a Shivlinga tied at the root of the tree. Afterwards, he made a temple here.
According to some other legends, the temple is also associated with Dwapara Yuga and its said that wherever Krishna used to do his Leela, lord Shiva went for Darshana there. It is said the Shivling here appeared from the womb of Earth.
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In the middle region of Agra City there are two more Shiva temples.
5. Mankameshwar Mahadev temple: The legend goes back to the Dwapara Yuga. It is said that when Sri Krishna was born in Dwapara, Lord Shiva wanted to have darshan of his child Swarupa and therefore he had come down on earth. Lord Shiva had stayed overnight at this place where there is temple now and had decided that if his wish of meeting child Krishna gets fulfilled he'll install a Shivlinga here. His wish was fulfilled and on his way back , a Shivlinga was installed here by him which now is the Mankameshwar temple. It is believed that wishes of devotees get fulfilled here.
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6. Rawli Mahadev temple: Rawli Mahadev is also one of the oldest temples of the region. It is said that when britishers wanted to lay railway track here, the temple shivling would just not move and finally the rail route was diverted a little. The temple is very near to the main Road.
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