Visit Biruawari Temple Badaun, one of the oldest and most prominent Shiva temples in the city. Located in Vijay Nagar Colony near Kali Sadak, the temple is famous for its ancient Shiva Lingam, which is believed to have been discovered beneath the ground by a gardener named Birua. The temple also contains beautiful shrines dedicated to Shri Ram Darbar, Radha-Krishna, Balaji, Hanuman, Banke Bihari, and other Hindu deities.
Biruawari Temple receives devotees throughout the year, but the largest gatherings are witnessed during the month of Sawan, Maha Shivaratri, Janmashtami, Ram Navami, and other important Hindu festivals.
Biruawari Temple, also written as Birua Bari Temple or Biruawadi Mandir, is a historic Hindu temple situated in the main Badaun city area. The principal deity of the temple is Lord Shiva, worshipped through an ancient Shiva Lingam installed at the centre of the temple complex.
The temple is more than 200 years old and is closely associated with a local gardener named Birua. According to the traditional account, Birua discovered the Shiva Lingam while ploughing agricultural land. He subsequently built a small shrine at the location and began regularly worshipping Lord Shiva.
As the number of devotees increased, the original shrine was gradually developed into a larger temple. The religious site became known as Biruawari Temple after Birua Mali, whose devotion led to the establishment of the shrine.
Today, Biruawari Temple is recognised for its beautiful complex, multiple shrines, daily pujas, religious programmes, and impressive Gita Bhavan. It is also listed among the important religious attractions of Badaun.
The history of Biruawari Temple dates back more than 200 years. According to the account preserved by local residents, a gardener named Birua cultivated crops on the land where the temple now stands.
One day, while Birua was ploughing the field, his plough became stuck at a particular spot. He tried to continue ploughing, but the same thing happened repeatedly. Curious about the obstruction, Birua began digging at that location.
During the excavation, he discovered a Shiva Lingam buried beneath the ground. Considering the discovery a divine blessing, Birua built a small mathiya or shrine around the Shiva Lingam and began worshipping it regularly. He continued serving the sacred site for many years.
In 1932, responsibility for the shrine was handed over to Lala Harsahaymal Shyamlal Saraf. Under subsequent caretakers and devotees, regular worship continued and the temple gradually gained prominence within Badaun.
In 1984, a major renovation and expansion project was initiated. The small shrine was developed into a spacious temple complex with additional sanctums, ceremonial spaces, and religious facilities.
The temple continued to be called Biruawari in honour of Birua Mali, who discovered the sacred Shiva Lingam and established the original shrine.
Biruawari Temple is an important centre of Shaiva worship in Badaun. Devotees believe that the ancient Shiva Lingam possesses a powerful spiritual presence and that sincere prayers offered here help remove obstacles and fulfil wishes.
Lord Shiva is worshipped as Mahadev, the supreme source of transformation, compassion, knowledge, and liberation. Worshippers offer water, milk, bel leaves, flowers, honey, curd, and sacred ash to the Shiva Lingam.
The temple is considered especially auspicious for:
Monday is the most important weekly worship day. The temple becomes particularly crowded on Mondays during the month of Sawan.
Although Lord Shiva is the principal deity, the temple contains several other beautifully maintained shrines and sacred images.
The ancient Shiva Lingam discovered by Birua Mali is installed at the centre of the temple. Devotees perform Jalabhishek and offer bel leaves, flowers, milk, and other traditional items.
The temple contains sacred images of Lord Shiva, Goddess Parvati, Lord Ganesha, and Lord Kartikeya. Families pray before the Shiva Parivar for peace, unity, and prosperity.
The Ram Darbar includes Lord Rama, Goddess Sita, Lakshmana, and Lord Hanuman. Devotees pray for righteousness, family harmony, and courage.
Images of Radha-Krishna and Banke Bihari represent divine love and devotion. Janmashtami and other Krishna festivals are celebrated with enthusiasm.
Lord Hanuman is worshipped as Balaji and Sankat Mochan. Tuesdays and Saturdays are important for Hanuman Chalisa and Sundarkand recitations.
Gita Bhavan is one of the most distinctive sections of Biruawari Temple. It contains a large representation of Lord Krishna giving the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita to Arjuna on the battlefield of Kurukshetra.
The hall is used for spiritual discourses, Shrimad Bhagavata Katha, bhajans, religious meetings, and other devotional programmes. The image of Krishna and Arjuna reminds visitors of the message of duty, devotion, wisdom, and selfless action taught in the Bhagavad Gita.
Gita Bhavan adds educational and cultural importance to the temple complex and makes it suitable for large religious gatherings.
Biruawari Temple has been developed in a modern North Indian temple style while preserving the original Shiva Lingam as its central sacred feature.
The complex consists of several shrines dedicated to different Hindu deities. Decorative pillars, colourful religious artwork, statues, temple bells, sacred symbols, and sculpted images contribute to its visual appeal.
The main worship area provides devotees with space to perform Jalabhishek and offer prayers. The Gita Bhavan and other halls are used for religious discourses, bhajans, kirtans, and community programmes.
During major festivals, the temple is decorated with flowers, lights, colourful cloth, and religious flags.
The regular temple and worship schedule is as follows:
During Sawan, Maha Shivaratri, Janmashtami, Ram Navami, and other important festivals, the temple may open earlier or remain accessible for extended hours according to the religious programme.
The best time for peaceful darshan and Jalabhishek is between 6:00 AM and 8:00 AM. The morning atmosphere is calm, and devotees can worship the Shiva Lingam without long queues.
Visitors wishing to participate in the evening aarti should reach the temple before 6:30 PM.
October to March is the most comfortable period for general visits. However, the month of Sawan is the most significant time for Shiva devotees. Every Monday during Sawan, large numbers of worshippers visit the temple to perform Jalabhishek.
Daily worship begins with the cleaning and ceremonial preparation of the main sanctum. The Shiva Lingam is bathed with water and decorated with flowers, bel leaves, sandalwood paste, and sacred ash.
Regular religious activities include:
Devotees may arrange Rudrabhishek, Maha Mrityunjaya Jaap, Satyanarayan Katha, Bhagavata Katha, and other religious ceremonies through the temple priest.
Maha Shivaratri is one of the largest celebrations at Biruawari Temple. Devotees begin arriving early in the morning to offer water, milk, honey, curd, flowers, and bel leaves to Lord Shiva.
Special pujas, Rudrabhishek, night worship, bhajans, and aartis are organised throughout the festival.
The entire month of Sawan holds exceptional importance. Thousands of Shiva devotees perform Jalabhishek, particularly on Sawan Mondays. Kanwariyas may also visit the temple carrying sacred Ganga water.
Special worship and devotional programmes are organised at Shri Ram Darbar. Devotees recite Ramcharitmanas passages and sing bhajans dedicated to Lord Rama.
The Radha-Krishna and Banke Bihari shrines receive elaborate decorations on Janmashtami. Bhajans, Krishna Leela programmes, and midnight worship may be organised.
Special puja, Hanuman Chalisa, Sundarkand Path, and aarti are performed at the Balaji and Hanuman shrines.
The temple complex is illuminated with lamps during Deepavali. Devotees pray for happiness, prosperity, and spiritual light.
Devotees may offer the following items to Lord Shiva:
Sweets, fruits, and panchamrit are distributed as prasadam. Visitors should perform abhishek only in the designated manner and avoid using materials restricted by the temple administration.
There is no entry fee for general darshan at Biruawari Temple. Devotees may voluntarily contribute toward temple maintenance and religious activities through authorised donation facilities.
A normal visit requires 45 minutes to one hour. Visitors wishing to explore all shrines and Gita Bhavan or attend aarti should keep one to two hours.
Badaun Railway Station is the nearest railway station. Auto-rickshaws, e-rickshaws, and taxis are available outside the station.
From the railway station, visitors can travel through Indira Chowk and either proceed through the city towards Gandhi Ground and Gaddi Chowk or use the Dataganj Tiraha and Nawada route.
The temple is situated near Kali Sadak in Vijay Nagar Colony. Visitors travelling from the Badaun Roadways Bus Stand can proceed through Parshuram Chowk, Gandhi Ground Road, Gaddi Chowk, Nai Sarai, Shahbazpur, Ticketganj, and Pathik Chowk.
From Pathik Chowk, visitors should turn towards Nawada Road. The temple is located approximately 400 metres ahead.
Bareilly Airport is the nearest operational airport. Visitors can travel from Bareilly to Badaun by taxi or road transport. Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi is the nearest major international airport.
Biruawari Temple is one of Badaun’s most important Shiva temples. Its history began more than 200 years ago when Birua Mali discovered a Shiva Lingam while ploughing his field and built a small shrine at the site. Responsibility for the shrine was transferred in 1932, and major renovation and expansion began in 1984.
Today, the ancient Shiva Lingam, Gita Bhavan, Shri Ram Darbar, Shiva Parivar, Radha-Krishna, Balaji, Hanuman, and Banke Bihari shrines make it a diverse and vibrant religious complex. Its daily worship, grand Maha Shivaratri celebrations, and immense gathering during Sawan continue to preserve its position as a major centre of faith in Badaun.