| Temples & Legends Of Bihar |
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| Temples & Legends
Of India |
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MUNDESVARI |
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| The temple door
facing the porch is a fine specimen of architecture with various figures of dancers and
musicians. An inscription in two broken pieces was found and has been interpreted by some,
as discussed later, to identify the origin of the temple to theyear 635 A.D. The
inscription refers to Udayasena as the ruling chief and records various donations to
Mandalesvara. There is clear impress of the Gupta style on the carvings. The temple was
literally rescued from the jungles and debris at the beginning of this century. The
clearance of the jungle brought to light a number of ancients relies. On the eastern slope
of the hill a number of statues and rock- carved figures were discovered. The relies make
it clear that the hill was once the site for a 'cluster of temples and the Mundesvari
temple, at the summit, must have been the main shrine.
It is very fortunate that Francis Buchanan, in his account of the District of Shahabad
in 1812-13, has left a description of the Mundesvari temple and the tradition associated
with it. Buchanan did not actually visit the place but sent a painter who drew a most
remarkable likeness of it. Buchanan states. "The temple, now very ruinous, has been
an octagon supported by four columns of an order common in Behar, and has had a porch
supported by eight similar columns; having had four doors it is much lighterthan usual,
although one of the doors is shut behind. |
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