Builder of the temple
Shri Lakshmi Narayan Diwan Ji
Builder of the temple and its custodian from 1892 to 1942
Shri Lakshmi Narayan Srivastava Ji, respectfully known as Diwan Ji, built the Shri Thakur Ji Mandir in village Sataon, Raebareli. He was the son of Shri Diwan Bakhtawar Lal Ji of the Chitragupta lineage, whom the temple's inscription describes as a devoted bhakt and a steadfast worshipper of Shri Ram.
Building the temple
Diwan Ji built the Shri Thakur Ji Mandir before 1892. The temple's first installation, the Ram Darbar, was made by his wife in Samvat 1949. Hanuman Ji was installed next. On Shivratri in 1892, Diwan Ji installed the Shiv Parivar and named the Shivling "Bakhtaweshwar Mahadev" after his father.
Remembering the ancestors
Diwan Ji placed stone inscriptions in the temple in memory of his ancestors. One bears the names of Shri Harihar Lal Ji Srivastava, Gulab Rai Ji, Risal Lal Ji, Jawahir Lal Ji, Dhaunkal Lal Ji and Bakhtawar Lal Ji, signed "Sevak and son, Lakshmi Narayan Diwan". Another marks the seat (aasan) of his father Shri Diwan Bakhtawar Lal Ji and is signed "Sevak Lakshmi Narayan".
Fifty years of service
Diwan Ji was the custodian of the temple and its traditions from 1892 to 1942, about fifty years. In his time, in 1900, the Dushehra stage performances began under the name Bhakt Prem Mandal, and they have continued every year since.
After him the temple was looked after by his brother Shri Ram Shankar Lal Srivastava Ji (1942 to 1971), then his son Shri Ram Bhagat Ji (1971 to 1987) and his grandson Shri Vijay Prakash Srivastava Ji (from 1987).
In pictures
