MADHYA PRADESH, INDIA, July 2, 2003: Colonel Martin, formerly of the British army, was stationed in India during the 1800’s and built a temple in Malwa to Lord Siva in 1883. The story behind the construction goes something like this: the Colonel’s wife became very concerned when she no longer was receiving messages from her husband, whom she knew was in a battle in Afghanistan. Out riding one day she saw a temple and inquired what the worshippers were doing. She was told that the people were worshipping Lord Siva. She asked the priest about Siva who followed with a religious discourse on His greatness. Seeing the wife very worried, the priest asked what was the matter and she explained the situation with her husband. The priest suggested she observe the 11-day “Laghu-rudri anusthana” of the mantra “Om Namah Sivaya.” The Colonel’s wife then vowed she would build a Siva temple if her husband returned safely from the battlefield, and began to observe the anusthana. At the end of the 11 days she received a letter from her husband saying he was safe. After his return home, both began praying regularly to Lord Siva and had the temple constructed. This is the only temple built by an Englishman in India. A photo of the temple may be found at “source” above.
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