India is a place that surprises everybody! Finding a Frog Temple in such a multicultural country is not at all strange. When there are temples for snakes, eagles, rats and even dogs then why not for a frog?
The story of this Frog Temple in Uttar Pradesh is quite interesting and takes us back in time. Though Vedic tradition overrules all other sub-traditions in Hinduism, there is a strong base of Tantric tradition in our history.
Frog Temple is located in the town of Oel in Lakhimpur Kheri district of Uttar Pradesh. It is situated on the way the between Lakhimpur to Sitapur. Lakhimpur Kheri is around 130km from Lucknow, the capital of the state.
According to Tantra (Tantric Custom), frog is a symbol of prosperity, luck and fertility. Hence, there is a strong belief among the followers. This unique Frog Temple holds 200-years old history and is situated in the town of Oel. Temples Dedicated to Animals Earlier, this region was part of the Oel Kingdom and the temple was also built by the rulers of Oel. Interestingly, here the presiding god is Shiva and not the frog. However, it is the structure of the temple that makes us curious.
Since Shiva is the prime deity, it is also called as Narmadeshwar Temple in Uttar Pradesh. Legend of Frog Temple Once a King named Bakhat Singh was blessed by a frog. Thereafter, his life prospered and even his further generations had a good life. Hence, a temple was built in the honour of that divine frog. Even to this, the descendants of Raja Bakhat Singh (the royal family of this region) has a special regard to this shrine and also have a stronghold on the management of this shrine.
No doubt, Manduk Mandir is one of the unique temples in India. However, it is also a place of religious importance. The Frog is a symbol of good luck and fertility. So, couples who come here are blessed with healthy children. Many devotees in the surrounding areas visit this temple. Narmadeshwar Temple is mostly visited during festivals like Shiva Rathri and Diwali. The Frog Temple, with its unusual structure, remains one of the oldest-living temples in Uttar Pradesh. The divine ambience surrounding the shrine along with the awe-inspiring architecture doesn’t fail to amaze the visitors.
