Mundeshwari Temple

The Mundeshwari Devi Temple is located at ramgarh village, 608 feet on the Mundeshwari Hills of Kaimur plateau near Son canal, in the Indian state of Bihar. It is an Archaeological Survey of India protected monument since 1915. The ASI has recently dated the structure to 108 CE making it the oldest Hindu temple in the country. An information plaque at the site indicates the dating of the temple at least to 625 CE and Hindu inscriptions dated 635 CE were found in the temple. It is an ancient temple dedicated to the worship of Devi Durga and is considered one of the oldest functional Hindu temples in India. The findings also established that here was a religious and educational center spread over the hillock and Mandaleshwar temple was the main shrine. The Mandaleshwari was on the southern side. The temple was damaged and the idol of Mandaleshwari was kept in the eastern chamber of the main temple. ()