Maniar Matth

Survey showed that this place was originally a worshipping area of the local pantheon of Naga cult.

This site is no doubt one of the most important archaeological sites of Bihar. Sir Alexander Cunningham a British archaeologist known as the father of the Archaeological Survey of India found a Jain temple, named Maniar Matth, on top of a mound in 1861. The survey showed that this place was originally a worshipping area of the local pantheon of Naga cult. The name ‘Mani Naga’ (the Bejewelled Snake) was found inscribed over a deified Naga (snake) sculpture found in this site. Large pots with unique snake hooded spouts were also found in the excavation of the site.

The unique structure of this site reveals two segments with one cylindrical well like structure at the center and a walled platform structure built around it. The badly damaged stucco images on the wall space have become difficult to recognize properly. It appears from the excavated remains that through the passage of time, different religious sects like the Nagas, Hindus, Buddhists and Jains have made this a significant place of worship.