Bhadeshwarnath Temple, also known as Baba Bhadeshwar Nath Mandir, is a famous Shiva temple in Kakraee village, about 5–6 km from Basti district headquarters in Uttar Pradesh. It is situated near the banks of the Manorama River.The temple is said to be over a thousand years old. It is found in the Shiva Mahapurana, a sacred Hindu text. Local belief states that the temple was originally established by Ravana, the mighty king of Lanka and a devout devotee of Lord Shiva.
The temple is built in North Indian architecture, with a tall shikhara (spire) rising above the sanctum. Inside the sanctum lies a large Shiva Linga, which is believed to be swayambhu (self-manifested). The Linga is unique and mysterious—local legends say that even after digging deep, its base could not be found, which is seen as proof of its divine origin.
The Sthalapurana (sacred local legend) of Bhadeshwarnath Temple is closely tied to Ravana, the legendary king of Lanka and a great devotee of Lord Shiva.
It is believed that during his spiritual pilgrimage across India, Ravana was carrying several Shiva Lingas, given to him by Lord Shiva himself. These Lingas were powerful symbols of Shiva’s divine presence, and Ravana intended to install them in significant places to spread devotion.
When Ravana reached the present-day Kakraee village, he felt a strong spiritual pull in the land and decided to rest. As part of his ritual, he temporarily placed one of the Shiva Lingas on the ground and proceeded to perform his daily worship. However, when he tried to pick up the Linga again to continue his journey, he was unable to lift it. The Linga had firmly rooted itself to the earth.
Realizing that this was Lord Shiva’s will to remain in that very spot, Ravana bowed in reverence and left the Linga there. Over time, the area came to be revered as Bhadeshwarnath, with “Nath” meaning “Lord” and “Bhadeshwar” referring to the divine form of Shiva worshipped here.
Locals say that attempts to dig around the Linga to find its base have always failed—it appears to be endless, symbolizing the *infinite nature of Lord Shiva*.
Thus, the Bhadeshwarnath Temple stands on a site that is believed to be touched by Ravana’s devotion and Lord Shiva’s divine presence, making it a powerful and sacred place of worship for devotees.
The most important festival celebrated at Bhadeshwarnath Temple is Maha Shivratri, which attracts thousands of devotees from all over Uttar Pradesh and beyond. A grand mela (fair) is organized during this time, with continuous bhajans, pujas, and abhishekams performed in honor of Lord Shiva. Devotees also observe Shravan month (July–August) with great devotion, offering water and bilva leaves to the deity. The temple sees special rituals and crowd gatherings during Mondays, which are considered especially sacred for Lord Shiva.