As a part of my analysis on Devi temples of India and sacred areas related to Shakti, I got here throughout the point out of Mundeshwari Devi and her temple. Photographs from the web confirmed a single stone temple with an absent Shikhara. After spending a while on Google Maps, I marked it as to be visited from Varanasi.
This time, after I had an opportunity to spend 2 months in Varanasi, I visited the temple on a weekend. It’s about 100 kms from Varanasi and may simply be accomplished as a day journey, or perhaps a half-day journey.
Technically the temple is in Bihar. Kaimur Hills are lovely hills that merely stand out on the in any other case plains of the Ganga River. On the way in which, we crossed the previous bridge on the Karmanasha river which finds a point out in lots of Puranas. As an alternative of taking the freeway, we took the village street and it was a bumpy but gratifying journey by the luxurious inexperienced Gangetic plains.
A detour after Chainpur results in the bottom of the Piwara hill, reasonably a 600-foot-high rocky outcrop. Temple outlets might be discovered on the base together with a forest entry publish. Merely observe the automobiles and you’ll quickly be climbing on the slim steep street resulting in the temple on the high. After the non-existent automobile parking, we have been on the base of the well-laid and coated staircase that may take us to the temple. The temple arch declares it as Mundeshwari Dwar or the doorway to the abode of Ma Mundeshwari.
Oldest Dwelling Temple in India – Mundeshwari Devi Temple
ASI has dated the oldest components of Mundeshwari temple at 108 CE primarily based on the inscriptions discovered on web site just lately. This makes it the oldest residing Hindu temple on the earth. There are inscriptions that time to 389 CE, even this date makes it the oldest residing temple in India.
Many stone sculptures have been dated again to the Gupta interval.
Nearly all vacationers to India, like 7th CE Chinese language vacationers Huan Tsang and Daniel Brothers who traveled in 18th CE, have talked about this temple of their travelogues.
A Brahmi script seal of Srilankan king Dhutthagamini relationship to 1st BCE has additionally been discovered right here in 2003, pushing the date of this temple again.
A guide on this temple printed by Jnanapravaha has documented a whole bunch of inscriptions discovered at this temple.
Legends of Mundeshwari Devi
It’s recognized by the title Mundeshwari, which Ma Durga was referred to as when she killed the Asura Munda. Bear in mind, Chanda and Munda from the third Charita of Durga Saptashati. It’s believed that the Munda Asura was killed right here on this hill. One other legend says that she appeared from the pinnacle of Munda asura after he was killed.
One other legend says that Devi right here is known as Mandaleshwari, that means the presiding deity of the Mandala across the hill. The title later grew to become Mundeshwari. As per this principle, the central temple belonged to Shiva as Mandaleshwara and there was one other temple devoted to his consort Mandaleshwari. Linga right here can also be referred to as Viniteshwara as per native information.
Certainly, once you stand on the temple web site right this moment, you see the particles of many extra temples round the principle or the one temple that survives right this moment.
Some accounts additionally deal with her as Varahi, who rides a buffalo. It’s troublesome to evaluate within the absence of a transparent image of the picture.
One other oral story says that Sri Ram on his journey to Mithila constructed this temple from a single rock.
Ahimsak Bali or Cold Sacrifice
Mundeshwari temple has a singular custom. Right here the animal sacrifice is obtainable to the Devi however with out actually hurting the animal. So, a goat or a sheep is delivered to the temple. It’s worshiped with rituals after which taken to the Murti of Devi contained in the temple.
The animal is obtainable on the toes of the Devi. For just a few moments the animal goes numb and also you virtually really feel it’s lifeless. However as quickly because the priest sprinkles water and Akshat on it, it waked up, as if waking up from a slumber. It’s free to go anyplace from right here.
I noticed many animals introduced right here for this non-violent providing. It made me surprise if this was how the animal sacrifice was made in earlier days. I should not have the reply but, however I hope so. Since it’s the oldest residing temple, its traditions also needs to have antiquity hooked up to them.
Visiting Mundeshwari Devi Temple
A small pillar on the aspect of the staircase, has a Navarana Yantra carved on it together with Mundeshwari Stotra.
A small open ait Yagnashala is the one factor I noticed on my proper. A yagna was duly being carried out right here by a gaggle of individuals led by a temple priest. I joined in chanting the Devi stotras because the ahutis have been supplied. This can be a second that may stick with me.
We walked by piles of carved stone panels scattered on either side of the pathway resulting in the temple. Some pillars with carvings of various deities on all 4 sides.
Nandi Mandap
Proper exterior the principle entrance of the temple, is a Nandi mandap, which is roofed with purple garments tied up throughout. Folks have been sitting throughout this mandapa and providing deep and dhoop as the identical shouldn’t be allowed contained in the temple. Although the principle deity right here is Nandi going through the Shivalinga contained in the temple, you’ll be able to see the stone sculptures of many deities inside this enclosure. I might see Ganesha, Shivalinga and Mahishasurmardini in stone surrounding the Nandi.
Behind the Nandi Mandap is a shed that’s used for providing coconut to the deity. I preferred the organized means of preserving the temple clear whereas additionally permitting devotees to supply all that they wish to supply.
Shiva and Shakti
Contained in the temple Shiva and Shakti reside collectively as Viniteshwara and Mundeshwari or as Mandaleshwara and Mandaleshwari. Many individuals name it a union, however I feel that is traditional for any Shiva and Shakti temple to have each, even when one among them is thought prominently. For instance, this temple is named Mundeshwari Devi temple despite the fact that the central place is occupied by Shiva.
I noticed principally native devotees visiting the temple in big numbers. They’ve religion that each one their needs might be fulfilled by the Devi and all their pains eliminated. A board on the temple additionally says that folks come right here to get puja accomplished for his or her automobiles too, as a lot as they do for non-violent animal choices.
There’s one other Shivalinga that’s worshipped however is surrounded by fallen iron grills throughout.
As you climb up and down the steps, you’d see folks creating stone towers by delicately balancing stones over one another. This can be a custom that’s so common. I’ve seen this in Canada and deep within the Lahaul valley close to Chandratal in Himachal Pradesh.
Structure
It may be assumed that the stone used on this temple is both from the identical hill or the encompassing Kaimur hills.
The temple is octagonal in form, which is uncommon as most temples are both sq. or rectangular. Yogini temples are round. This facet itself makes this temple distinctive architecturally. The Shikhara on high of this north Indian Nagara-style temple is lacking. A roof has been constructed as a part of the restoration work. One can solely speculate how the unique Shikhara seemed like.
The temple has 4 openings on all 4 sides going through the 4 cardinal instructions. As of now, two doorways are open, one is used to enter the temple whereas the opposite is used to exit it. The doorways have superbly carved doorjambs that embody the collectible figurines of Ganga, Yamuna, and Dwarpalas.
Sanctum
In the course of the sanctum is an enormous Chatumukhalinga or a Shivalinga that’s carved with faces on all 4 sides. I keep in mind seeing an identical linga at a temple in Vaishali city of Bihar.
Large Murti of Mundeshwari Devi is in one of many Niches throughout the principle entrance. It’s a grand, overpowering, and spectacular Murti, the place your palms fold mechanically once you stand in entrance of it. You may solely see the face, however the monks and the literature inform me that she has 10 palms. She is standing on the Mahishasura after killing him.
One other area of interest has a Murti of Ganesha, Vishnu, and Surya contained in the temple. There are a lot of of them within the temple rubble exterior. I might see so many pillars and amalakas that I’m positive there have been many temples right here and never one.
Festivals
All Hindu festivals like Ram Navami and Shivaratri are celebrated within the temple.
Nevertheless, being a Devi temple, Navaratri is essentially the most distinguished competition celebrated in Spring and Autumn Navaratas. A grand mela or truthful is held on the temple and 1000’s of individuals go to throughout this time.
On the Ashtami of Navratri, the temple stays open all through the evening.
Different Locations To See
Harshu Brahma Dham positioned in Chainpur on the way in which to Varanasi is a well-liked place. This place is thought for its occult practices that will help you eliminate Bhoot Preta or the ghosts. Many people who find themselves possessed come right here to eliminate this downside.
I noticed a singular providing of wood Khadauns being made right here. There are some temples round however keep away from the astrologers right here who would attempt to lure you.
Journey Ideas
- Temple is open from Dawn to Sundown daily. It closes for a quick interval round midday for the deities must relaxation. Moreover, on the date of Mahanavami, i.e. on the evening between the Ashtami and Navami of Chaitra Navaratri, the temple stays open for the entire evening.
- Aside from some Prasad outlets, there aren’t any eateries in and across the temple. So, both carry your meals or plan to be happy with the fundamental Litti Chokha you get on the roadside round Chainpur.
- You may go to Mundeshwari Devi temple both from Varanasi or from Patna. Each the cities are nicely related by Air, Rail and Street.
- Bhabhua is the closest Railway station, about 22 km from the temple.
- I couldn’t discover any services to remain across the temple, so it’s best accomplished from the closest metropolis.
- Parking is simply an open area and sometimes faces site visitors jams in and across the temple. You can even climb the hill by 500+ stairs if you’re not utilizing the car to climb. From the automobile park, it’s only a quick flight of stairs.
- Pictures shouldn’t be allowed contained in the temple however you’ll be able to take photos exterior.
On a median day too there are various folks on the temple, however with just a little endurance, you’ll be able to simply do the darshan.