Information of Mandar Hill Temple, Banka, Bihar

Mandar Parvat is considered to be a small hill that is located in the Banka district of Bihar. The mountain is nearly 700 ft high and is near about 45 km south of the Bhagalpur town. This mountain is well known as the Mandar Hill and is considered to be one of the biggest pilgrimages although at present it is not so famous now. On top of the hill there are basically two temples side by side that belong to Hinduism as well as Jainism. The mountain tends to possess numerous references according to the Hindu mythologies and is known as Mandarachal Parvat. It is said in Puranas and Mahabharata that this hill was utilized in order to churn the ocean in order to extract the nectar from its blossom. There is a pond just close to the hill which is named as Paapharni. There are numerous significance of this pond where one can revive oneself by taking a bath that shall refresh the mind and body. One can attain darshan of Lord Vishnu and Goddess Laxmi.

Mandar Hill Temple Religious Significance

This hill is considered to be extremely holy in terms of Hindu Mythology. The Skanda Purana marks the history related to Amrit Manthan. Owing to this mythical association, the hill has attained much religious significance and has become a place where thousands of pilgrims tend to visit every year.

Mandar Hill Temple Mythology & History

According to the mythological tale as described in Hindu scriptures, this hill was known as Sumero Parvat which was the shaking pole of Amrit Manthan with the meandering Naag. It is often believed that the patterns that are evident on the rock is said to have been made by the mythical Great Snake at the time of churning between the Devs and the Asuras. It is believed that King Chhatra Sen of the Chol tribe, took out the oldest temples at the summit. It is also believed that the carvings on the rock are basically shell writings.

Mandar Hill Temple Architectural Significance

The Archaeological Survey of India found out Buddhist relics just near the Mandar hill which indicate the fact that Anga was influenced by the Buddhists. The area has also identified as the birthplace of Basupujya who was considered to be the 12th Jain Tirthankara and was linked with Parsvanath, the 23rd Jain Tirthankara, Lord Mahavira Vardhamana, the 24th and last Jaina Tirthankara had spent their three years in Champapuri. Here are different relies of building, tanks, large wells as well as stone figures in a distance of one miles or two around this sacred place which proves the fact that once there was a big city here. The hill has confluence of two religions such as Jainism and Hinduism and side by side there are temples that are held holy by the followers of these two creeds. There is an awesome Jain Mandar Hill Temple that has been adorned with glass work and sculptures. The temple comprises of high apexes and a coral-colored idol of Lord Vasupoojya Swami who has been seated in cross leg position. Just near the Mandar hill, there is a Mandar Hill temple that is best example of the architectural excellence. The idol inside it is made up of white stone of Lord Vasupoojya Swami. There is a pair of feet idol which is 3000 years old that has been installed there. There are three pairs of ancient feet idols installed in the temple. Just near the place of salvation, there is a beautiful cave temple with 5-feet tall standing idol.