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History of Bateshwar Temples
Bateshwar Temples are dedicated to Bateshwar Mahadev or Shiva who, according to a legend, rested under a Banyan Tree in the region. Banyan Tree is called "Bat" in Sanskrit, hence the name Bateshwarnath Mahadev. The place was therefore named Bateshwar, and the temples were built in the honour of Lord Shiva.
The magnificent temples were built under the reign of Raja Badan Singh Bhadauria on the banks of River Yamuna over the dam that was built to avoid flooding in the locality. Raja Badan Singh Bhadauria was an admirer of all forms of architecture, and hence he took a special interest in the architecture of the 101 temples that now stand serenely on the banks of the pristine River Yamuna.
Bateshwar Cattle Fair
Bateshwar Fair is held in the Sacred Hindu month of Karthik every year which falls either in October or November as per the English Calendar. The fair goes on for about three weeks and devotees from all over the world visit Bateshwar, take a holy dip in the River Yamuna and offer their sincere prayers to Bateshwar Mahadev.
The first two weeks of the fair is dedicated to the sale and purchase of cattle. It is famously known as the Bateshwar Cattle Fair and serves as a marketplace for cattle, goats, horses, oxen, donkeys, camels and elephants. The third and the last week of Bateshwar Fair is open to visitors for entertainment, shopping and to get a glimpse of rural India. Since the demand for local Indian spices, traditional Indian cookware, furniture, and handicraft and decor items is high, you'll find most of the vendors selling these items at the fair.
Things To Do at Bateshwar Temples
Sightseeing:Bateshwar, with its 101 temples on the bank of the Holy River Yamuna is one of the perfect locations for sightseeing. Most of the temples are dedicated to Lords Shiva and Krishna. A few of these temples are specimens of ancient Jain era. These were built by a king named Badan Singh, and they were meant to restrict the flow of Yamuna River.
Camel or Horse Riding:Camel and horse riding is a famous activity especially during the Bateshwar fair, which is held for three weeks in the Hindu month of Karthik (between October and November every year).
Shopping:The last week of the Bateshwar Fair is the week dedicated to local traders. Tourists can find Indian cookware, spices, furniture, decor items etc.
Best time to visit Bateshwar Temples
The best time to visit Bateshwar Temples is between October and February as the weather is pleasant during that time with the temperature ranging between a maximum of 29 degrees Celcius and minimum 7.5 degrees Celcius. The famous Cattle Fair and Bateshwar Fair are also held between October and November, over a period of three weeks. The summers, from March and June, are extremely hot and dry with a maximum temperature of 40 degrees Celcius and minimum 29 degrees Celcius whereas the monsoons, from July to September, receive an average rainfall of about 220 mm.
How to Reach Bateshwar Temples
Air:The nearest airport is the Kheria Airport in Agra, which is about 70 kilometres away from Bateshwar. Travellers can rent a taxi from the airport to reach the Bateshwar Temples.
Rail:The nearest railway station is the Agra Cantonment Railway Station, which is about 77 kilometres from Bateshwar. One can rent a cab or hail a taxi from here to reach the Bateshwar temples.
Road:Travellers can reach Bateshwar by road from Agra via NH2, NH3 and NH11. Bus services are available from Agra. The state transports have deluxe as well as ordinary bus services.
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Getting Around Bateshwar Temples
It is best to travel on foot in the area.
Where to Stay
There are plenty of options to choose for accommodation at or near Bateshwar. There are several budget and luxury hotels at Agra that provide good hospitality and decent facilities. Rahi Tourist Complex is an affordable option for accommodation at Bateshwar. One can also stay at a lodge named Chambal Safari which is a Private Heritage Property that offers good facilities for travellers. Dharamshalas are also a good option to stay at around Bateshwar.
Shopping in Bateshwar Temples
The cattle fair will provide you with a good shopping experience. The fair attracts is a place where you will witness the selling of Camels, Horses, oxen, elephants, goats, and other cattle, as well as a several tradesmen selling everything from traditional cooking utensils and spices to locally made furniture, handicrafts and cosmetics.
The Bateshwar Temples Experience
The language most spoken in this area is Hindi. The Bateshwar Fair of Agra is held here where devotees take holy baths in river Yamuna and worship Lord Shiva. Apart from this, religious association cattle fair is also held in Bateshwar where buyers and sellers do business. There are a lot of other things to do in Bateshwar fair. You can just have a look at Cows, Bullocks, Buffalos, Goats, Camels and Elephants, birds which are decorated in beautiful rags and colours. Various cultural programs are also organized here that bring more enthusiasm in this festival.
Bateshwar Temples's Nightlife
The place does not have much of a nightlife. You can travel to Agra to find some good clubs.
Bateshwar Temples's Cuisine
Mughlai cuisine is famous in the nearby city of Agra. To get the actual taste of authentic Mughlai cuisine you need to travel to Agra. Apart from the Mughlai cuisine, the city provides a varied fare in its eating out choices.
Best Restaurants Nearby
Pinch Of Spice Restaurant, Shankara Vegis Restaurant, Khandelaa, etc. are some of the good and popular restaurants you will find in Agra. The Taj Ganj has a number of makeshift eateries.
Itinerary
Reach Bateshwar and check into a hotel. After that, hire a taxi to go see the "char dhams". After seeing the char dhams, see the other temples which are 101 in a row. After that, if you are visiting in October-November, see the cattle fest which will be an entirely new experience.
A trip to Bateshwar is best combined with am excursion to Agra where you can see one of the seven wonders of the world, the Taj Mahal.
Tips
1. Watch your step as you explore the river banks.2. Do not litter and pollute the locality.3. Carry a change of clothes if you wish to get into the river water.4. There aren?t many rules to explore the area but be sure to follow the usual temple rules.
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