Mundeshwari Devi Temple (also called Mundeshwari) is a Hindu temple located in Ramgarh village on the Mundeshwari Hills of the Kaimur plateau, near the Son River in the Indian state of Bihar, at an elevation of 608 feet (185 meters). It has been a protected monument by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) since 1915. Recently, the ASI dated the structure to 108 CE, making it the oldest Hindu temple in Northern India: This ancient temple is considered dedicated to the worship of Goddess Durga and Lord Shiva and is regarded as the world's oldest functional Hindu temple. Discoveries have also established that there was a religious and educational center spread across the hill, with the Mandaleshwar (Shiva) temple being the main temple. Mandaleshwari (Durga) was on the southern side. The temple was damaged, and the idol of Mandaleshwari (later associated with the mythical demon Mund and hence defiled Mundeshwari) was placed in the eastern chamber of the main temple. ### History: - **636-638 CE**: Chinese traveler Huen Tsang wrote about a temple with gleaming lights atop a hill approximately 200 li southwest of Patna—this location corresponds to Mundeshwari. - **1790**: The Daniel brothers, Thomas and William, visited the Mundeshwari temple and provided its first illustration. - **1888**: Buchanan visited the area in 1813. - **1891-1892**: During the East India Company survey, the first part of the broken Mundeshwari inscription was discovered by Bloch. - **1903**: The second part of the inscription was found while clearing debris around the temple. - **2003**: The royal seal of King Dutthagamani of Sri Lanka (101-77 BCE) in Brahmi script was discovered by historian Jahnavi Sekhar Roy from Varanasi, altering previous conclusions about the site's history. - **2008**: Scholars at a national seminar organized by the Bihar State Religious Trust Board in Patna established the inscription's date to the 30th year of the Shaka era (108 CE). ### Deities: The temple worships Goddess Durga as Devi Mundeshwari, indicating tantric worship practices prevalent in Eastern India. ### Religious Significance: Rituals and worship have been conducted without interruption, making Mundeshwari one of the oldest Hindu temples in India. The temple attracts many pilgrims every year, especially during the festivals of Ramnavami and Shivaratri. During Navaratri, a large annual fair (mela) is held nearby, drawing thousands of people. ### Architecture: Constructed from stone, this temple has an octagonal plan, which is rare. It is the earliest example of the Nagara style of temple architecture in Bihar. There are doors or windows on four sides, and small niches in the remaining four walls for accommodating statues. The temple's shikhara (tower) has been destroyed. However, a roof has been constructed as part of restoration work. The interior walls feature niches and bold moldings carved with vase and foliage designs. The temple's entrance showcases carved images of dvarapalas (gatekeepers), Ganga, Yamuna, and several other deities on the door jambs. In the sanctum sanctorum, the main deities are Goddess Mundeshwari and a chaturmukha (four-faced) Shiva linga. There are also two stone vessels of unusual design. Despite the Shiva linga being centrally placed in the sanctum, the main presiding deity is Goddess Mundeshwari, seen in a niche riding a buffalo with ten arms, attributed to Mahishasuramardini. The temple also houses statues of other popular deities like Ganesha, Surya, and Vishnu. Much of this stone structure is damaged, with many stone fragments scattered around the temple. Nonetheless, under ASI's jurisdiction, it has long been a subject of archaeological study. ### Renovation and Restoration: The Archaeological Survey of India, under the directive of the Ministry of Culture, has renovated the temple. Restoration works include removing soot from the interior through chemical treatment, repairing damages to the religious idol, cataloging an