| Temples & Legends Of Bihar |
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| Temples Legends Of
India |
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MUNDESVARI |
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| Martin's
Eastern India (Vol. 1, pp. 455-57) gives the plan of the structure before its conservation
by the Public Works Department.The location of theMundesvari temple commands an exquisite
view of hills and plains. The topography suggests that the area must have been used for
fortification purposes in the distant past. Probably, some Hindu Rajas, who had their sway
over the -area, had their seat of rule near about. A ditch surrounds the neighboring fort
of Chayanpur and there are stone ramparts flanked with bastions. The fort has a large
gate to the north and a smaller one to the south. The temple of Mundesvari is only about
five miles from this fort. Chayanpur is apparently a distorted form of Chamundapur. Chanda
and Munda, the two legendary demon brothers of Satya Yuga, were the commandants of Sumbha
and Nisumbha, the demon kings. Markandeya Purana mentions that the demon kings were slain
by Parvati. This is the story that was picked up in a distorted form by Francis Buchanan
in the first decade of the 19th century.
The story is still current with modifications. Garohat, the residence of Munda, is
located on the banks of the river Katena just on the eastern side of the valley originally
known as Mukari Khoh. The area was well chosen for defence purposes and the Mundesvari
temple was undoubtedly the place of pilgrimage for the area.The image of Mundesvari is not
typical of the familiar image of Mahisha- mardini. This type of Mahishamardini is, rather
unusual because generally the deity is represented in the act of killing Mahishasura, the
demon in the shape of a buffalo. |
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