The temple is considered as the ‘oldest Functional' temple of the world as rituals have been performed here without a break.
Maa Mundeshwari Devi Temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and Shakti and is positioned in the Mundeshwari Hills. The temple also has deities of Ganesha, Surya and Vishnu. The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) dates the temple to 108 AD and has been a protected monument since 1915. Mundeshwari Temple is the oldest specimen of the Nagara style of temple architecture.
Around the seventh century AD, Shaivism became the prevalent religion and Viniteswara, which was a minor deity, emerged as the presiding deity of the temple. The Chatur Mukhalingam (Lingam with four faces) representing him was accorded the central place in the temple, which it holds even now.
It is believed that rituals and worship have been performed here without a break; hence Mundeshwari is considered one of the most ancient functional Hindu temples in the world. The festivals of Ramnavami and Shivrartri hold special charm at the Mundeshwari temple and the temple is visited by a large number of pilgrims each year, to soak in the spiritual glory.
