Mundeshwari Temple
Nagara style architecture of the temple.
Religion
AffiliationHinduism
DistrictKaimur district
DeityShiva and Shakthi
FestivalsRamnavami, Shivratri, Navaratra.
Location
LocationPaunra Pahad, Ramgarh village
StateBihar
CountryIndia
Mundeshwari Temple is located in India
Mundeshwari Temple
Location in Bihar
Mundeshwari Temple is located in Bihar
Mundeshwari Temple
Mundeshwari Temple (Bihar)
Geographic coordinates24°59′00″N 83°33′53″E / 24.9833958°N 83.5646939°E / 24.9833958; 83.5646939
Architecture
Completed635 CE[1] Hindu inscriptions dated 4th century AD were found in the temple m.
Specifications
Temple(s)One
Elevation608 m (1,995 ft)

The Mundeshwari Devi Temple (also spelled Mundesvari) is a Hindu temple, located at Ramgarh Village, 608 feet (185 m)[2] on the Mundeshwari Hills of Kaimur plateau near Son River, in the Indian state of Bihar. It is an Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) protected monument since 1915.[3] The ASI has recently dated the structure to 108 CE making it the oldest Hindu temple in Northern India.[4][5][6] 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.[7]

It is an ancient temple which is believed to be dedicated to the worship of the goddess Durga and god Shiva is considered as the oldest functional Hindu temple of the World.[8][9][10] The findings also established that here was a religious and educational center spread over the hillock and Mandaleshwar (Shiva) temple was the main shrine. The Mandaleshwari (Durga) was on the southern side. The temple was damaged and the idol of Mandaleshwari (degenerated Mundeshwari and later connected with the mythical demon Mund) was kept in the eastern chamber of the main temple.[11]

History

The temple as seen by Thomas Daniell ca. 1790
Interior of temple as painted by Thomas Daniell ca. 1790

Timelines

  • Before 100 CE - Yoganarasimha temple in Nagamangala Taluk, Karnataka, the idol has been worshipped for more than 2500 years.
  • 636 - 38 CE - Chinese visitor Huen Tsang writes about a shrine on a hill top flashing light, at about a distance of 200 lee south west to Patna-The location is only of Mundeshwari.
  • 1790 CE - Daniel brothers, Thomas and William visited Mundeshwari temple and provided its first portrait.
  • 1888 CE – Buchanan visited the region in 1813.
  • 1891-92 CE – First part of the broken Mundeshwari Inscription was discovered by Bloch during a survey by East India Company.
  • 1903 CE – Second part of the inscription was discovered while clearing the debris around the temple.
  • 2003 CE – Brahmi script royal seal of Sri Lankan king Dutthagamani (101-77 BCE) was discovered by Varanasi-based historian Jahnawi Shakhar Roy which changed the earlier findings about history of the place.
  • 2008 CE - The date of the inscription was established 30th year of Saka era (108 CE) by the scholars in a national seminar organized for the purpose by Bihar State Religious Trust Board at Patna.[4][5][6]

Deity

The worship of Devi Durga in the form of Devi Mundeshwari in the temple is also indicative of tantric cult of worship, which is practiced in Eastern India.[8]

Religious significance

Rituals and worship have been performed here without a break, hence Mundeshwari is considered one of the most ancient Hindu temples in India. The temple is visited by a large number of pilgrims each year, particularly during the Ramnavami, Shivratri festivals.[8] A big annual fair (mela) is held nearby during the Navaratra visited by thousands.[12]

Architecture

The temple, built of stone, is on an octagonal plan, 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.[13] 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.[14] Even though the Shiva linga is installed in the centre of the sanctum, the main presiding deity is Devi Mundeshwari deified inside a niche, which is seen with ten hands holding symbols riding a buffalo, attributed to Mahishasuramardini.[15] The temple also has murtis of other popular gods such as Ganesha, Surya and Vishnu. A substantial part of this stone structure has been damaged, and many stone fragments are seen strewn around the temple. However, under the jurisdiction of ASI, it has been the subject of archaeological study for quite some time.[3][8][16][17]

Renovation and restoration

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 Government of Bihar has allocated Rs 2 crore to improve access to the temple.[18][17]

How to reach

It 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.[16] Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport, Varanasi is the nearest airport, located at a distance of 102 km from the Temple. Indian carriers including Air India, Spicejet, and international carriers like Air India, Thai Airways International, Korean Air and Naaz Airlines operate from here. Daily flights to Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata are available from here.

See also

References

  1. ↑ The information plaque erected by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) at the site indicates the dating of the temple to 635 CE but the Bihar State Religious Trust Board fixed its date in 108 AD.
  2. ↑ "Alphabetical List of Monuments – Bihar". Serial number 62. Archaeological Survey of India. Archived from the original on 2011-11-03. Retrieved 2011-06-03.
  3. 1 2 "BSBRT to renovate Mundeshwari temple". The Times of India. 1 January 2011. Archived from the original on 14 June 2012. Retrieved 2 June 2011.
  4. 1 2 "Mundeshwari Temple: Department of Tourism, Bihar Government".
  5. 1 2 "Bihar: India's 'oldest serving deity' invoked for quake protection". Hindustan Times. 2015-04-27. Retrieved 2021-09-18.
  6. 1 2 "Bihar govt to develop country's oldest temple". The Economic Times. Retrieved 2021-09-18.
  7. ↑ L.S.S. O`malley (2005). Bihar And Orissa Gazetteers Shahabad. Concept Publishing Company. pp. 36, 157. ISBN 978-81-7268-122-7. Retrieved 4 June 2011.
  8. 1 2 3 4 bihar-india-bihar-all-regions-of-bihar.html "Ma Mundeshwari Temple in Kaimur, Bihar". Hindu Temples. Archived from the original on 9 November 2018. Retrieved 2 June 2011. {{cite web}}: Check |archive-url= value (help)
  9. ↑ "Film on 'oldest' surviving temple of Gupta Age". The Times of India. 12 June 2011. Archived from the original on 5 November 2011.
  10. ↑ "Bihar to develop 'oldest' temple". The Times of India. 18 January 2008. Archived from the original on 13 September 2012.
  11. ↑ Neuss, Jürgen (2003). "The Temple of Mundesvari: Reconsidering the Evidence". Berliner Indologische Studien: 531–585.
  12. ↑ "Temples and Legends of Bihar, Mundeshwari". Hindubooks.org. p. 11. Archived from the original on 22 April 2016. Retrieved 5 June 2011.
  13. ↑ "Mundesvari". Hindu Books.org. Retrieved 5 June 2011.
  14. ↑ "Mundeshwari temple". Plaque by Archaeological Survey of India. Archived from the original on 25 January 2013. Retrieved 2 June 2011.
  15. ↑ "Mundesvari". Hindu Books.org. Retrieved 5 June 2011.
  16. 1 2 "Maa Mundeshwari Mandir". Google Maps. Retrieved 4 June 2011.
  17. 1 2 "Facelift to the Mundeshwari temple". Hindustan Times. 3 January 2011. Archived from the original on January 25, 2013. Retrieved 5 June 2011.
  18. ↑ "Govt to develop Ma Mundeshwari Temple". Bihar Times. 19 January 2008. Retrieved 2 June 2011.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Mundeshwari Temple.

Changu Narayan Temple, in Kathmandu, Nepal

The pagoda style temple has several masterpieces of 5th and 12th century Nepalese art. According to legends Changu Narayan temple existed as early as 325 A.D. in the time of Licchavi King Hari Datta Verma and it is one of Nepal’s richest structures historically as well as artistically. In the grounds there is a stone pillar inscription of great importance recording the military exploits of King Man Deva who reigned from 496 A.D. to 524 A.D. The first epigraphic evidence of Nepalese history found in the temple premises during the reign of the Licchavi King Mandeva dating back to 464 A.D. shows that Changu had already been established as a sacred site in the 3rd century A.D. It is the earliest inscription known in Nepal. The temple was restored during the lifetime of Ganga Rani, consort of Siva Simha Malla who reigned from 1585 to 1614.

Mundeshwari Devi Temple in Bihar, India

Mundeshwari Devi Temple in Bihar, India, dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva and Shakti. The inscription of an information plaque erected by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) at the site indicates the dating of the temple to 635 AD. However, there are other versions for the dating stating the Saka era, prior to Gupta dynasty rule (320 AD) in India, and specifically to 105 AD according to the Administrator of the Bihar Religious Trust Board

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