Located 3 kilometers south of the city, near the banks of the Yamuna River, lies the ancient Devkali Temple dating back to the Dvapara Yuga. This temple is primarily dedicated to Lord Shiva. The shrine is famous for its Shivratri festival. During Shravan month, thousands of devotees visit the temple and perform various rituals, the crowds swell to unimaginable level during the Mondays - Shravan Somvar.
Auraiya Devkali Temple Shivratri Festival 2026 is on February 15. On Shivratri, Shiv Barat (a ceremonial procession of Lord Shiva) is held, followed by Jalabhishek.
Auraiya Devkali Temple Shravan Month 2026 is from July 30 to August 28. During the month of Sawan, Shiva devotees from many nearby districts come here to perform Jalabhishek (ritual water offering).
The shrine has got a giant Trishul in front of the main temple.
Auraiya Devkali Temple History – Connection with the Mahabharata Era
During the Dvapara Yuga, when the Kauravas and Pandavas resided in Hastinapur, Karna, the eldest Pandava and son of Kunti, ruled from Kanar Garh, located in present-day Karan Kheda in Jalaun district, across the Yamuna River.
A descendant of Karna, King Krishnadev, was born and later:
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Built a fort named Devgarh around 202 AD on the banks of the Yamuna.
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Established an idol of Mahakaleshwar (Shiva) within a temple at this site.
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Over time, his descendants turned away from devotion and embraced atheism, leading to the decline of the kingdom.
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The Mahakaleshwar temple was destroyed, and the fort eventually submerged into the Yamuna.
The Shivling in the temple sanctum was established in the 9th century by a king of the Pratihara dynasty.
Attack by Mahmud of Ghazni (1019 CE):
Mahmud of Ghazni attempted to destroy Devkali temple in 1019 CE. However, locals reinstalled the Shivling and idols.
In 1095 AD, King Chandradev of the Gahadavala dynasty of Kannauj:
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Renovated the temple.
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Established a military camp near the temple, remnants of which are still visible.
Princess Devkala and the Attack of Muhammad Ghori
In 1125 CE (Samvat 1182), King Vishokdev, a descendant of Krishnadev, was born. He reestablished the kingdom at Karan Kheda.
In 1153 CE (Samvat 1210), Vishokdev married Devkala, sister of King Jaichand of Kannauj. In Vishokdev’s absence, Muhammad Ghori attacked and destroyed Kanar Garh fort in 1198 CE (Samvat 1255), killing thousands of soldiers.
When King Vishokdev learned of this, he attacked Ghori, forcing him to flee. However, Ghori completely destroyed the fort before escaping.
The Emergence of the Shivling
While attempting to rebuild the palace in Devgarh’s forests, a Shivling was discovered in the palace courtyard. Astonished by its endless depth, Vishokdev was unsure how to proceed.
One morning, Queen Devkala, while carrying a worship platter, had a divine vision of Goddess Mangala Kali in the form of a girl near the current temple’s entrance. The goddess revealed that the stone pillar in their courtyard was none other than Lord Kaleshwar (Shiva), installed by their ancestors.
Construction of Devkali Temple in Memory of Devkala
Queen Devkala informed King Vishokdev of the divine message and urged him to build a temple. The king agreed, but before the temple was built, Devkala passed away, leaving her wish unfulfilled.
Stricken with grief, King Vishokdev:
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Transferred the kingdom to his younger brother Gajendra Singh.
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Began construction of the temple in 1208 CE (Samvat 1265).
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Named the temple Devkali Temple, in Devkala’s memory.
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Later, wandered into the forests, performed penance on a hill by the Yamuna, and disappeared in meditation.
Attack by Sher Shah Suri:
The temple originally had two tall domes. After defeating Humayun at the Battle of Chausa, Sher Shah Suri attacked and demolished the western dome.
It is said that King Vishokdev cursed Sher Shah, causing him to go blind. To repent, Sher Shah:
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Built a Vishrat (resting place) on the banks of the Yamuna (still visible today).
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Also constructed a temple with idols of Lord Ram, Lakshman, and Sita near the river as atonement.
Since then, devotees have continued to worship Lord Kaleshwar Mahadev, and many believe their wishes are fulfilled here.
Modern History – Maratha Influence & Freedom Struggle
In 1772 CE, Maratha ruler Chhatrapati Sadashivrao Bhau:
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Rebuilt the temple in Maratha architectural style.
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Used the temple as a military camp.
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There were 52 wells in the temple area; some still exist today.
During the 1857 First War of Independence, revolutionaries used the temple as a shelter:
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Ramprasad Pathak of Etawah was martyred with 17 companions while fighting the British.
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A memorial was built near the temple.
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Revolutionaries like Kunwar Roop Singh, Judev, and Raja Niranjan Singh launched guerrilla warfare against the British from this site.