Do you know about the oldest temple of world? According to historical evidences The Mundeshwari Devi Temple in Kaimur district of Bihar is the oldest.
Temple is located on the Mundeshwari Hills in Kaimur district in the state of Bihar. It is an ancient temple dedicated to the worship of Shakti and Lord Shiva. It is the oldest Hindu temple in Bihar in India and World. It is also told as the 'oldest functional' temple of world.
The inscription erected by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) at the site indicates the dating of the temple to 108 AD. However, there are other researches for the dating stating the Saka era, prior to Gupta dynasty rule (320 AD) in India. According to the Administrator of the Bihar Religious Trust Board dating is 105 AD. The temple is a protected monument under ASI since 1915.
Octagonal Plan of Temple
The Stone made Mundeshwari temple, built on an octagonal plan which is rare. It is the earliest specimen of the Nagar style of temple architecture in Bihar. There are doors or windows on four sides. You can Also see some small niches for the reception of statues in the remaining four walls of temple.
The temple shikhara or tower has been destroyed. However, a roof has been built, during renovation work. . 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.
The interior walls have niches and bold mouldings which are carved with vase and foliage designs. At the entrance of the temple, the door jambs are seen with carved images of Dwarapalas (Gatekeepers) Ganga, Yamuna and many other statue of Devis. 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..The temple also has murtis of other popular gods such as Ganesha, Surya and Vishnu. Located on Kaimur plateau, there are many archaeological relics on the Mundeshwari Hill.
Some of statues found from Mundeshwari temple area can be seen in Patna Museum. Daily thousands of visitors come to temple to pray the goddess Mundeshwari. But during navratra you can see huge crowd here.
HOW TO REACH – The Temple located on the Mundeshwari Hill at an elevation of 608 feet (185 m) is in Kaimur district of Bihar. It can be reached by road Sasaram or Varanasi. The nearest railway station is is Bhabua Road ( Mohania ). From Mohania market the temple is 22 km by road. You can go Bhabua and stay here in any hotel and then plan to Mundeshwari temple. From Mughal Sarai Jn major rail head of Indian railway Bhabua Road railway station is just 54 km.
- Vidyut Prakash Maurya
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