Shri Anandeshwar dham is one of the most famous Hindu temples in India dedicated to Lord Shiva, and one of the most sacred abodes of Shiva. The temple is situated on the Bank of River Ganges. The presiding deity, Shiva in the lingam form is believed to be Swayambhu, deriving currents of power (Shakti) from within itself as against the other images and lingams that are ritually established and inve
sted with mantra-shakti. The history of this temple is really interesting as the Lingam was discovered in a very unusual circumstances. According to the priest, shri Shyamagiriji Maharaj, the temple is more than 250 years old. During Dwapar Yug, the city was the capital of the kingdom ruled by king Karna. King Karna was very religious and kind king and also was a great devotee of Lord Shiva. At the inception of Dwapar Yug, several pieces of archaeological evidences were found of the kingdom of King Karna, hence a small village got established by the name of Karnapur on the bank of holy river Gnages which is known as Kanpur City in present time, which has marked itself as one of the big commercial and indrustrial city in the world. Around 250 years ago, the place where the holy temple erect today was a dense forest with many terrestrial species of plants and trees. There use to be a small village near old Kanpur, the Landlord (zamindar) of the village was shri Gokul Prasad Mishra. The landlord had a black cow named '' ANANDI''. Anandi use to roam around the village and near by places for food, monitored by shepherds (Charwahe). Anandi daily use to enter the forest during the noon, and use to drop all her milk at a specific spot in the jungle on her own. In the evening when Anandi was tried to milk, then there was no milk left in her breasts. Everyday same incident made Landlord very angry, and he suspected the shepherd and enquired him about the whole incident. After listening to the shepherd, landlord was not able to believe on shepherd, so he decided to go himself. Next day landlord took Anandi with him to check the truth. That day in the noon Anandi again entered the forest, landlord was also following him, and at the same spot Anandi again dropped all her milk. Landlord was shocked after seeing this incident. He came back to his village, discussed the incident with few other villagers, and then decided to find the reason behind it. Next day landlord ordered villagers to clear that spot, cut down the trees near that spot and start digging. The villagers started digging the spot and after few hours they discovered Two Shivlings were below that spot buried under. One Shivling was placed in Vankhandeshwar Temple at the centre of the city, and another Shivling villagers and landlord were not able to dig it out. The landlord and villagers tried alot to dig the other Shivling as well, but they failed as they dug deeper, The shivling seems to be more wider, hence after digging really deep, they gave up. The landlord erected a platform around that Shivling, and that spot is Shri Anandeshwar Dham in present time known for fulfilling the wishes of the devotees. JAI BABA KI
