Mundeshwari Temple, Kaimur, Bihar

World’s oldest temple
Historically, the temple which is considered to be the oldest temple in the world is Mundeshwari Temple located in Kaimur district of Bihar. It is said that worship has been going on continuously in this temple for the last 1900 years.

According to the inscription received from this temple located at a height of 608 feet on Pavra hill in Bhagwanpur area of ​​Kaimur district, it was built during the reign of Udai Sen. The crafts and statues of this temple belong to the post-Gupta period. Panchmukhi Shivalinga is installed in this temple, which is rare. The Vaishnavi form of Durga in the form of Maa Mundeshwari is established here. The idol of Mundeshwari is the idol of Varahi Devi, because her vehicle is Mahisha. This temple is octagonal. The main entrance is on the south side.

The specialty of Mundeshwari temple is that there is a sattvik tradition of animal sacrifice here. Here a goat is offered as a sacrifice, but its life is not taken. Another unique thing is that the idols of many gods and goddesses including Ganesha and Shiva were buried inside the debris of the hill. These have been found during excavation. Groups of temples have also been found here during the excavation. In the year 1968, the Archeology Department kept 97 rare statues found here in ‘Patna Museum’ for safety. Three statues are in ‘Kolkata Museum’.

Darshan timings in the temple:
All day. Devotees recite Durga Saptashati in the temple on the occasion of Navratri in the month of Shardiya and Chaitra. Yagya is performed here twice a year in Magh and Chaitra.