Bhavreshwar Dham Shiva Temple, Lucknow

Bhavreshwar Dham Shiva Temple, Lucknow

Bhavreshwar Dham, located 30 km from Lucknow in Nigohan, is an ancient Shiva templewhere swarms of bees protected the Shivling from Aurangzeb’s arm

Feb 3, 2025
Bhavreshwar Dham is located 30 kilometers from Lucknow in the town of Nigohan in Uttar Pradesh. This ancient temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and has deep-rooted connections to Hindu mythology and history, making it a prominent place of worship for devotees and spiritual seekers.
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The origins of Bhavreshwar Dham trace back to the Dwapar Yuga, the era of the Mahabharata. It is believed that during their exile, the Pandavas halted at this very place. Kunti, the mother of the Pandavas, expressed her desire to worship Lord Shiva. In response, Bhima established a Shiva Linga on the banks of the Sai River, allowing her to offer prayers to Mahadev. Since then, this place has been a revered site of worship.

The Attack of Aurangzeb

During the reign of Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, he and his army were passing through this region when he ordered the destruction of the temple’s Shiva Linga. However, as soon as his soldiers attempted to break the Linga, an astonishing miracle occurred—a swarm of countless black bees (bhawars) emerged and attacked his army fiercely, forcing them to flee. Despite numerous attempts, the Shiva Linga remained unscathed.
Recognizing the divine intervention, Aurangzeb eventually realized his mistake and sought forgiveness from Lord Shiva. As a gesture of reverence, he ordered the construction of a small shrine at the site. Since that day, the temple has been known as Bhavreshwar Dham, meaning ‘The Lord of Bees’, in memory of the divine incident.

How to reach Bhavreshwar Dham

Bhavreshwar Dham is 30 km from Lucknow, in Nigohan, near the Sai River.
  • By Air: Chaudhary Charan Singh International Airport is 25 km from Bhavreshwar Dham. Hire a taxi or local transport.
  • By Train: Nigohan Railway Station (5 km) or Lucknow Junction (30 km). Take a taxi or bus.
  • By Road: UPSRTC buses, taxis, and autos from Lucknow & nearby towns. The temple is on road and is easily accessible.