MUNDESHWARI DEVI TEMPLE: THE OLDEST TEMPLE OF INDIA

INTRODUCTION TO MUNDESHWARI DEVI TEMPLE

India is a country which holds some prestigious links in the soil of it. People all over the globe commend the historical links and the heritage sites of the country. One such heritage site is Mundeshweri Devi Temple. Mundeshweri temple is considered as one of the oldest shrine, as some great historical links and secrets are stored in the walls of it.

The temple is located in Kaimur district of Bihar on the hills of Mundeshweri hills at a height of 608 feet. The location of the temple automatically gathers the audience who pass through. Just imagine, a soothing breeze deep in the air and you hearing the bells. We can’t mold the feelings in the words.

People know the beauty of the temple but tourists hardly know about the architecture and the history of the temple. I don’t want to reveal it right over here, so go ahead.

HISTORY OF MUNDESHWARI TEMPLE:

As per the old records which we have collected, the temple was built in 3rd century BC and was dedicated to lord Vishnu. Eventually, the shrine of Lord Vishnu got disappeared and in 348 AD, it was declared as the shrine with no deity. It took 300 years to set the temple back to its platform. In 7th century people actually started following Shivism and hence the shrine of Lord Shiva was placed inside the main temple. Viniteswara one of the major deity of Shivism introduced the same in the whole region.

It is said that, after that period, Cheros, a powerful ruler defeated and ascended the then ruler. Cheros was a devotee of goddess Shakti, so he decided to not to replace the temple but to add on the Shrine of Goddess Shakti into the same temple. After that particular period, the temple is said to be devoted to both Shiv and Shakti.

ARCHITECTURE OF MUNDESHWARI TEMPLE:

There are many stories and conspiracies stringed with the temple. Maa Mundeshwari temple was built on an octagonal stone which is actually very rare. The temple is considered as the earliest example of Nagara style of architecture. We can notice the doors and windows on all four sides of the temple and small niches for the reception. As soon as we enter the temple, we can notice the carved images of Dvarapalas and Ganga.

While entering into the temple, the interior walls have some great design and moldings of gods and goddesses. There inside, the Chaturmukh Shivlinga is placed in the center of the sanctum but the main presiding deity is Devi Mundeshwari deified inside a niche.

FESTIVAL CELEBRATED IN THE TEMPLE:

Every year, government notices a huge crowd around the temple. Best time to visit the temple is on the occasions like Ramnaumi and Shivratri. Millions of eyes wait for the temple gates to open and perform their regular rituals. An annual fair is organized nearby on the occasion of Navratri.

MIRACLE:

Okay, this is hard to believe what you are going to read now, but this is actually true and no more less than a miracle. When a goat is brought in front of the sanctum of Goddesses Mundeshwari, the priest touches the idol and throws a handful of rice on the goat. The goat becomes unconscious and dies in a minute. After a while, this process is repeated again, as in the priest throws the rice on the same goat and boom!! The goat stands up and walks away. Just imagine, the goat went for a deep sleep where his pulse was not responding and neither his lungs, but right after the rice is thrown on the goat, it revives and walks away. Unbelievable, right? But it’s true.

There are many such temples in India who are lost in the history pages, but being an Indian it’s your duty to know about their pasts and links.

HAPPY READING!