01The inscription
Pieces of a stone inscription found at the temple, one of them now in the Indian Museum, Kolkata, record a gift made in the 30th year of a king named Udayasena. Scholars have disagreed about which era the year belongs to, and readings range from the 2nd to the 7th century CE; the carving of the doorway and the octagonal plan are usually placed in the 7th. Either way it is one of the oldest standing temples in the Ganga plain.
02Satvik bali
In the centre of the sanctum is a chaturmukha linga, four-faced, and in a niche stands the Devi riding a buffalo, worshipped as Mundeshwari, a form of Varahi. When a family brings a goat in fulfilment of a vow, the priest touches it with consecrated rice and flowers and chants; the animal falls still, then gets up and is set free. Ramnavami and the two Navaratris bring the largest crowds up the hill.
The life of this place
- by the 7th centuryThe temple stands; an inscription of Udayasena records a gift to it.
About 14 km from Bhabua; a road and steps lead up Pawra hill. The nearest railhead is Bhabua Road.
