Mundeshwari Temple
Goddess Mundeshwari (Shakti) and Lord Chaturmukh Shiva · Bhabua, Bihar
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About the temple
Oldest functional temple in India Wish fulfillment, mental strength, and ancestral blessings
Temple information
- Darshan timings
- 06:00 – 19:00
- Established
- 1084
- Best time to visit
- Early Morning
- Entry fee
- Free
Deity
Goddess Mundeshwari (Shakti) and Lord Chaturmukh Shiva · माँ मुण्डेश्वरीLord GaneshaLord SuryaLord Vishnu
- Deity form
- Goddess in Stone; Four-faced Shiva Lingam
- Religious tradition
- Sanatana Dharma
- Sanskrit name
- मुण्डेश्वरी देवी मन्दिर
- Also known as
- Mundeshwari Devi Dham
Darshan hours
- Daily
- 06:00 - 19:00
- Special days
- Dawn to Dusk during Navratri and Maha Shivratri
- Festival timings
- 05:00 AM - 09:00 PM
Aarti & rituals
- Morning aarti
- 07:00
- Midday aarti
- 12:30
- Evening aarti
- 18:30
- Special aarti days
- Navratri and Ram Navami
- Ritual schedule
- Regular puja performed by priests of the Mundeshwari Trust
- Pooja timings
- 08:00 AM - 05:00 PM
- Abhishek timings
- Early Morning
- Special poojas
- Navratri Durga Saptashati Path
- Online pooja booking
- No
History & heritage
- Historical period
- Ancient
- Built by
- Likely local rulers under Kushan/Gupta influence
- Construction materials
- Stone
- Historical events
- Rediscovered by British explorers in the 19th century
- Renovations
- Restored by ASI; steps and walkway improved in 2008
- Archaeological importance
- ASI Protected Monument (Grade 1)
- Legends
- The Goddess killed the demon Munda here
- Inscriptions
- Inscription dated 108 CE found on site
Architecture
- Architectural style
- Dravidian
- Architectural period
- 4th - 5th Century CE
- Structure
- Unique Octagonal Plan
- Floors
- 1
- Gopuram
- Rare octagonal Shikhara
- Mandapa
- Interior octagonal sanctuary
- Sculptural features
- Intricate carvings of Ganga, Yamuna, and Dvarapalas
- Artistic elements
- Early Indian stone motifs; floral carvings
- Construction technique
- Dry stone masonry with interlocking carvings
- Unique features
- Sacrificial ritual where a goat is made unconscious but not killed
Festivals & events
Ram NavamiNavratriMaha Shivratri
- Festival calendar
- Lunar calendar
- Special celebration days
- Magh Bihu / Makar Sankranti
- Cultural events
- Local folk music during fairs
- Annual events
- Mundeshwari Mahotsav
- Peak crowd season
- September to April
Visitor information
- ✓ Parking
- ✓ Restrooms
- ✓ Drinking water
- ✓ Shoe keeping
- ✓ Prasadam counter
- ✓ Photography allowed
- Entry fee
- Free
- Dress code
- Modest
- Best time to visit
- Early Morning
- Parking capacity
- 40 vehicles
- Parking fees
- Free
- Donation counters
- Yes
- Donation methods
- Cash, UPI
- Prasadam
- Sweets and Coconut
Gallery
