Mundeshwari Temple

Special Features

Architecture: Nagara style

Other Speciality: Rituals and worship have been performed here without a break, hence Mundeshwari is considered one of the most ancient Hindu temples in India.

Sthala Puran

Religious folklore says that Chanda and Munda who were full brothers and chieftains of demon Mahishasura were rulers of the area. Mahishasura fought a decisive battle with Goddess Durga as mentioned in Durga Shaptshati. Munda made goddess Mundeshwari Bhawani temple while his younger brother Chanda made Chandeshwari temple at top of Madurana hill near Chainpur.Mahabharata mentioned that Guru Dronacharya has been made the ruler of Ahikshatra (region of serpents) spread over Ahinaura, Mirzapur, Sonbhadra, and Kaimur region of present times, as a fee for educating Kaurava and Pandavas. Udaysena, the ruler mentioned in the inscription had similarities with Naga dynasty rulers Nagsen, Veersen etc. The existence of 52 Pur (villages) of Nagvanshi Rajpoots also indicate about their long control over the area

Architecture

The Mundeshwari Devi Temple is located at an elevation of 608 feet (185 m) on the Mundeshwari HillsThe 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. 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, which is seen with ten hands holding symbols riding a buffalo, attributed to Mahishasuramardini. 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.

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