WHY PM Narendra Modi prayed at Augarnath Temple in Meerut

Dedicated to Lord Shiva, this Hindu temple is located in the Cantonment area of the city. The PM prayed at this temple on Sunday when he was in the city to lay the foundation stone of Major Dhyanchand Sports Stadium.

Lets know the significance of Augarnath temple shrine.

1. This temple is where the Revolt of 1857 better known as India's First War of Independence, rendered timeless in VD Savarkar's book with the same name, started.

2. On May 10, 1857, Indian soldiers took an oath to dismantle the British Raj at this temple. Back then the Indian Army was referred to as the ‘Kali Paltan’ meaning ‘black army.’ and since the Augarnath temple is located inside the cantonment, close to the soldiers' quarters, it came to be known as the ‘Kali Paltan Mandir’.