| Mundeshwari Temple | |
|---|---|
 Nagara style architecture of the temple. | |
| Religion | |
| Affiliation | Hinduism |
| District | Kaimur district |
| Deity | Shiva and Shakthi |
| Festivals | Ramnavami, Shivratri, Navaratra |
| Location | |
| Location | Paunra Pahad, Ramgarh village |
| State | Bihar |
| Country | India |
  Location in Bihar  Mundeshwari Temple (Bihar) | |
| Geographic coordinates | 24°59′00″N 83°33′53″E / 24.9833958°N 83.5646939°E |
| Architecture | |
| Completed | 108 CE[1] Hindu inscriptions dated 4th century CE were found in the temple.[citation needed] |
| Specifications | |
| Temple(s) | One |
| Elevation | 608 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 Bhojpuri region of Indian state of Bihar. It is an Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) protected monument since 1915.[3] The ASI has dated the structure to 108 CE making it the oldest Hindu temple in the world.[4][5][6][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]
- ^ 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 CE.
- ^ "Alphabetical List of Monuments – Bihar". Serial number 62. Archaeological Survey of India. Archived from the original on 2011-11-03. Retrieved 2011-06-03.
- ^ "BSBRT to renovate Mundeshwari temple". The Times of India. 1 January 2011. Archived from the original on 14 June 2012. Retrieved 2 June 2011.
- ^ "Mundeshwari Temple: Department of Tourism, Bihar Government". Archived from the original on 2021-09-18. Retrieved 2021-09-18.
- ^ "Bihar: India's 'oldest serving deity' invoked for quake protection". Hindustan Times. 2015-04-27. Retrieved 2021-09-18.
- ^ "Bihar govt to develop country's oldest temple". The Economic Times. Retrieved 2021-09-18.
- ^ "Mundeshwari Devi Temple: World's Oldest Functioning Hindu Temple Is In Bihar". Times Now. 2024-05-07. Retrieved 2024-11-16.
- ^ "Ma Mundeshwari Temple in Kaimur, Bihar". Hindu Temples. Archived from the original on 9 November 2018. Retrieved 2 June 2011.
- ^ "Film on 'oldest' surviving temple of Gupta Age". The Times of India. 12 June 2011. Archived from the original on 5 November 2011.
- ^ "Bihar to develop 'oldest' temple". The Times of India. 18 January 2008. Archived from the original on 13 September 2012.
- ^ Neuss, Jürgen (2003). "The Temple of Mundesvari: Reconsidering the Evidence". Berliner Indologische Studien: 531–585.
