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{{short description|Hindu temple in India}}
{{Infobox Mandir
| name = Mundeshwari Temple
| image = Maa Mundeshwari Devi.jpg
| alt =
| caption = [[Hindu temple architecture#Nagara (नागर) architecture|Nagara style]] [[Hindu temple architecture|architecture]] of the temple.
| map_type = India#India Bihar
| map_caption = Location in Bihar
| coordinates = {{coord|24.9833958|83.5646939|type:landmark_region:IN|display=inline,title}}
| proper_name =
| country = [[India]]
| state = [[Bihar]]
| district = [[Kaimur district]]
| location = Paunra Pahad, Ramgarh village
| elevation_m = 608
| deity = [[Shiva]] and [[Shakthi]]
| festivals= [[Ramnavami]], [[Shivratri]], [[Navratri|Navaratra]].
| architecture =
| temple_quantity = One
| monument_quantity=
| inscriptions =
| year_completed = 635 CE<ref>[[:File:Information board at Mundeshwari devi temple.jpg|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. [[File:Information board at Mundeshwari devi temple.jpg|30px]]</ref> Hindu inscriptions dated 4th century AD were found in the temple m.{{citation needed|date=April 2020}}
| creator =
| website = http://maamundeshwari.org
}}
The '''Mundeshwari Devi Temple''' (also spelled ''Mundesvari'') is a [[Hindu temple]], located at Ramgarh Village, {{Convert|608|ft}}<ref name="ASI">{{Cite web|title=Alphabetical List of Monuments – Bihar|url=http://asi.nic.in/asi_monu_alphalist_bihar.asp|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111103035254/http://asi.nic.in/asi_monu_alphalist_bihar.asp|archive-date=2011-11-03|access-date=2011-06-03|work=Serial number 62|publisher=Archaeological Survey of India}}</ref> on the Mundeshwari Hills of [[Kaimur Range|Kaimur plateau]] near [[Son River]], in the [[India|Indian state]] of [[Bihar]]. It is an [[Archaeological Survey of India]] (ASI) protected monument since 1915.<ref name="Times">{{Cite news|date=1 January 2011|title=BSBRT to renovate Mundeshwari temple|work=[[The Times of India]]|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-01-01/patna/27781342_1_mundeshwari-bsbrt-asi|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120614053655/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-01-01/patna/27781342_1_mundeshwari-bsbrt-asi|archive-date=14 June 2012|access-date=2 June 2011}}</ref> The ASI has recently dated the structure to 108 CE making it the oldest Hindu temple in Northern India.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Mundeshwari Temple: Department of Tourism, Bihar Government.|url=https://tourism.bihar.gov.in/en/destinations/kaimur/mundeshwari-devi-temple|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web|date=2015-04-27|title=Bihar: India's 'oldest serving deity' invoked for quake protection|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india/bihar-india-s-oldest-serving-deity-invoked-for-quake-protection/story-ueZArQa2gT8BOf4DiKWuEL.html|access-date=2021-09-18|website=Hindustan Times|language=en}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite news|title=Bihar govt to develop country's oldest temple|work=The Economic Times|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/bihar-govt-to-develop-countrys-oldest-temple/articleshow/2709831.cms?from=mdr|access-date=2021-09-18}}</ref> An [[:File:Information board at Mundeshwari devi temple.jpg|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.<ref name="O`malley2005">{{cite book|author=L.S.S. O`malley|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iftaR6DVxIAC&pg=PR1|title=Bihar And Orissa Gazetteers Shahabad|publisher=Concept Publishing Company|year=2005|isbn=978-81-7268-122-7|pages=36, 157|access-date=4 June 2011}}</ref>

It is an ancient temple dedicated to the worship of the goddess [[Durga]] and is considered one of the oldest functional Hindu temples in India.<ref name="Info">{{Cite web|url=http://www.templeshindu.com/608-ma-mundeshwari-temple-in-kaimur-,bihar-india-bihar-all-regions-of-bihar.html|title=Ma Mundeshwari Temple in Kaimur, Bihar|access-date=2 June 2011|publisher=Hindu Temples|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181109050122/http://www.templeshindu.com/608-ma-mundeshwari-temple-in-kaimur-, bihar-india-bihar-all-regions-of-bihar.html|archive-date=9 November 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=12 June 2011|title=Film on 'oldest' surviving temple of Gupta Age|work=[[The Times of India]]|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-06-12/patna/29649899_1_temple-site-film-ancient-structure|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111105052617/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-06-12/patna/29649899_1_temple-site-film-ancient-structure|archive-date=5 November 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=18 January 2008|title=Bihar to develop 'oldest' temple|work=[[The Times of India]]|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-01-18/patna/27760152_1_temple-inscriptions-vaishno-devi|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120913042742/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2008-01-18/patna/27760152_1_temple-inscriptions-vaishno-devi|archive-date=13 September 2012}}</ref> 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.<ref name="Neuss2003">{{cite journal |last1=Neuss |first1=Jürgen |title=The Temple of Mundesvari: Reconsidering the Evidence |journal=Berliner Indologische Studien |date=2003 |pages=531–585 |url=https://www.academia.edu/3110731/The_Temple_of_Muṇḍeśvarī_Reconsidering_the_Evidence}}</ref>

== History ==
[[File:Oriental Scenery Part 5 Fig 13.jpg|thumb|The temple as seen by [[Thomas Daniell]] ca. 1790|260x260px]]
[[File:Oriental Scenery Part 5 Fig 22.jpg|thumb|365x365px|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, there is a 3000 years old tree fossil inside the temple premises.
* '''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 [[Dutugamunu|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.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" />

== Deity ==
The worship of [[Devi Durga]] in the form of Devi Mundeshwari in the temple is also indicative of [[Vajrayana|tantric]] cult of worship, which is practiced in [[East India|Eastern India]].<ref name="Info" />

==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.<ref name="Info" /> A big annual fair (''[[mela]]'') is held nearby during the [[Navratri|Navaratra]] visited by thousands.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Temples and Legends of Bihar, Mundeshwari|url=http://www.hindubooks.org/temples/bihar/mundesvari/page11.htm|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160422023155/http://www.hindubooks.org/temples/bihar/mundesvari/page11.htm|archive-date=22 April 2016|publisher=Hindubooks.org|page=11|accessdate=5 June 2011}}</ref>

==Architecture==
The temple, built of stone, is on an octagonal plan, which is rare. It is the earliest specimen of the [[Hindu temple architecture#Nagara (नागर) architecture|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.<ref name="Nagara">{{Cite web|url=http://www.hindubooks.org/temples/bihar/mundesvari/page1.htm|title=Mundesvari|accessdate=5 June 2011|publisher=Hindu Books.org}}</ref> The temple ''[[Sikhara|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 [[Dvarapala]]s, [[Ganga (goddess)|Ganga]], [[Yamuna]] and many other [[murti]]s. 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.<ref name="Plaque">{{Cite web|url=http://picasaweb.google.com/arusinha/Mundeshwari#5100285941695284674|title=Mundeshwari temple|accessdate=2 June 2011|publisher=Plaque by Archaeological Survey of India|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130125001030/http://picasaweb.google.com/arusinha/Mundeshwari#5100285941695284674|archive-date=25 January 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref> 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]].<ref name="temple">{{Cite web|url=http://www.hindubooks.org/temples/bihar/mundesvari/page7.htm|title=Mundesvari|accessdate=5 June 2011|publisher=Hindu Books.org}}</ref> The temple also has [[murti]]s 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 [[Anthropological Survey of India|ASI]], it has been the subject of archaeological study for quite some time.<ref name="Times" /><ref name="Info" /><ref name="Google">{{Cite web|title=Maa Mundeshwari Mandir|url=https://maps.google.com/maps/place?cid=15995543426719074210&q=Maa+Mundeshwary+Mandir&hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=25.228547,83.122559&spn=0,0&t=h&z=10|publisher=Google.com|accessdate=4 June 2011}}</ref><ref name="hindustantimes">{{Cite web|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/Facelift-to-the-Mundeshwari-temple/Article1-363003.aspx|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130125174529/http://www.hindustantimes.com/Facelift-to-the-Mundeshwari-temple/Article1-363003.aspx|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 25, 2013|title= Facelift to the Mundeshwari temple|accessdate=5 June 2011|publisher=Hindustan Times|date=3 January 2011}}</ref>

== Renovation and restoration ==
The [[Anthropological Survey of India|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.<ref name="Bihartimes">{{Cite web|date=19 January 2008|title=Govt to develop Ma Mundeshwari Temple|url=http://www.bihartimes.in/news08/Jan/19jan3.html|publisher=Bihar Times|accessdate=2 June 2011}}</ref><ref name="hindustantimes" />

== How to reach ==
It can be reached by road via [[Patna]], [[Gaya, India|Gaya]], or [[Varanasi]].
The nearest railway station is at [[Mohania]] - [[Bhabua Road railway station]] from where the temple is 22 km by road.<ref name="Google" />
[[Varanasi Airport|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 ==

* [[Chandika Sthan]]
* [[Maa Jaleshwari Temple]]
* [[Ajgaibinath temple|Ajgaibinath Temple]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
*[https://archive.today/20130125001030/http://picasaweb.google.com/arusinha/Mundeshwari Album]

{{Hindu temples in Bihar}}

[[Category:Hindu pilgrimage sites in India]]
[[Category:Hindu temples in Bihar]]
[[Category:2nd-century Hindu temples]]
[[Category:Shiva temples in Bihar]]
[[Category:Durga temples]]

Mundeshwari Temple - Revision history

Ajay Kumar: Created a new article