Augarnath Temple

Augarnath Temple is a prominent Hindu Shiva temple located in the Meerut Cantonment area of Meerut, Uttar Pradesh. Also known as Kalipaltan Mandir, it is dedicated to Lord Shiva and is notable for its association with the 1857 uprising, when sepoys are said to have gathered here. The temple features a Shiva lingam, marble architecture, and is a major pilgrimage and tourist site in Meerut.

Visitors can expect a compact temple complex centered on the main Shiva shrine with a lingam, surrounded by smaller shrines and a courtyard. The setting is urban within the cantonment area near Gandhi Bagh. Visitors can observe daily prayers and aarti, see devotees offering water and flowers to the lingam, browse small shops selling offerings outside, and experience a calm devotional atmosphere. The temple is accessible for darshan and photography in outer areas.

The temple is historically noted for its connection to the 1857 uprising. Local tradition holds that Indian sepoys of the British cantonment gathered at this temple and took an oath to initiate the revolt. The temple was then known as Kalipaltan Mandir due to its location near the cantonment. The present structure has been renovated over time while retaining its historic lingam.

The temple is an important Shaivite religious centre in western Uttar Pradesh. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva and draws large numbers of devotees, especially during Maha Shivratri and the holy month of Shravan when Kanwar pilgrims visit. It serves as a key cultural and religious landmark for the local community.