Mundeshwari Devi Temple - A Nagara Style Architecture Ancient Hindu Temple.

 

The Mundeshwari Devi Temple is a Nagara style architecture Hindu temple, located at Ramgarh Village on the Mundeshwari Hills of Kaimur plateau near Son River, in the Indian state of Bihar. The temple is considered as the 'oldest Functional' temple of the world as rituals have been performed here without a break. Maa Mundeshwari Devi Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and Shakti. The temple also has deities of Ganesha, Surya and Vishnu. The temple is visited by a large number of pilgrims each year, particularly during the Ramnavami, Shivratri festivals. A big annual fair (mela) is held nearby during the Navaratra visited by thousands.

 

 

It is an Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) protected monument since 1915. The ASI has recently dated the structure to 108 CE making it the oldest Hindu temple in the country. An information plaque at the site indicates the dating of the temple at least to 625 CE and Hindu inscriptions dated 635 CE were found in the temple. The Archaeological Survey of India has restored the temple under instruction from the Union Ministry of Culture. Restorative works included the removal of soot from the temple interior via a chemical treatment, repair of damage to religious murti (idol) and cataloging and documentation of scattered fragments for later reuse. Other works included installation of solar powered lighting, displays for antiquities and provision of public amenities.

 

 

The temple, built of stone, is an octagonal, which is rare. It is the earliest specimen of the Nagara style of temple architecture in Bihar. There are doors or windows on four sides and small niches for the reception of statues in the remaining four walls. The temple shikhara or tower has been destroyed. However, a roof has been built, as part of renovation work. The interior walls have niches and bold mouldings which are carved with vase and foliage designs. At the entrance to the temple, the door jambs are seen with carved images of Dvarapalas, Ganga, Yamuna and many other murtis. The main deities in the sanctum sanctorum of the temple are of the Devi Mundeshwari and Chaturmukh (four-faced) Shiva linga. There are also two stone vessels of unusual design. Even though the Shiva linga is installed in the centre of the sanctum, the main presiding deity is Devi Mundeshwari deified inside a niche. The temple also has murtis of other popular gods such as Ganesha, Surya and Vishnu.

 

 

Mundeshwari Devi Temple can be reached by road via Patna, Gaya, or Varanasi. The nearest railway station is at Mohania - Bhabua Road railway station from where the temple is 22 km by road. Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport, Varanasi is the nearest airport, located at a distance of 102 km from the Temple. Daily flights to Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata are available from here.