Some structures were built before humans invented farming. Before writing existed, before the wheel. You’re about to explore the oldest temple in the world, a title fiercely contested across continents and religions. Is it Göbekli Tepe in Turkey, Ġgantija in Malta, or Mundeshwari Devi Temple in Bihar?

Each claims a different kind of “oldest” ever built, still standing, or still in continuous use. This guide breaks down the full list of the world’s oldest temples, from the oldest Hindu temple in India to ancient ruins in Cambodia, so you know exactly where history’s most sacred spaces still stand today.

Oldest Temple in the World: Quick Overview

Ask travelers which site holds the title of oldest temple in the world, and you’ll get more than one answer. It depends on whether you mean the oldest structure ever built or the oldest one still in active use today.

Göbekli Tepe in Turkey holds the record as the oldest temple ever constructed, dating back over 11,000 years. Meanwhile, Mundeshwari Devi Temple in Bihar, India, is widely recognized as the oldest temple in the world still in use, with worship continuing there since ancient times.

Oldest Temple in the World List

Here’s a quick comparison table covering the most significant ancient temples travelers ask about.

Temple	Country	Age	Status	Religion
Göbekli Tepe	Turkey	11,000+ years	Ruins (excavation site)	Pre-religious/ritual site
Ġgantija	Malta	5,500+ years	Ruins (UNESCO site)	Prehistoric/ritual
Mundeshwari Devi Temple	India (Bihar)	1,900+ years	Active	Hindu
Barabar Caves	India	2,300+ years	Partially active	Jain/Buddhist origins
Angkor Wat	Cambodia	900+ years	Active	Hindu-Buddhist
Kailasa Temple, Ellora	India	1,200+ years	Active	Hindu

This oldest temple in the world list shows why the answer changes depending on how you define “temple,” structure, ruin, or living place of worship.

Göbekli Tepe: Oldest Temple Ever Built

Located in southeastern Turkey, Göbekli Tepe is considered the oldest temple in the world that Turkey has to offer, and arguably on the planet. Its massive carved stone pillars predate Stonehenge and the Egyptian pyramids by thousands of years.

Archaeologists believe this site was built by hunter-gatherers, not settled farmers, which reshaped our understanding of early human civilization entirely.

Why It Predates Farming and Writing

Göbekli Tepe was constructed around 9600 BCE, before humans developed agriculture or written language. This makes it central to any discussion of the oldest temple in the world age question.

• Built roughly 6,000 years before the Great Pyramid of Giza
• Predates pottery and metal tools
• Suggests organized religion existed before organized farming

Discovery and Ongoing Excavation

German archaeologist Klaus Schmidt led the first major excavations starting in 1995, uncovering circular enclosures with T-shaped limestone pillars. Less than 10% of the total site has been excavated so far, meaning discoveries are still likely.

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Oldest Temple Still in Use Today

While Göbekli Tepe answers “which one is the oldest temple in the world” for construction age, it’s no longer active. For the oldest temple in the world still in use, travelers should look toward South Asia instead.

Mundeshwari Devi Temple in Bihar claims this title, with daily rituals that have continued for nearly two thousand years without interruption.

Mundeshwari Devi Temple, Bihar

Devi Temple sits atop Mundeshwari Hill near Kaimur, Bihar. It’s frequently cited as the world’s oldest temple in Bihar and among the oldest Hindu temples anywhere.

Inscriptions found at the site date it to around 108 CE, based on the nearby Ramgarh inscription.

Unbroken Rituals Since 108 CE

Unlike many ancient ruins, worship at Mundeshwari Devi Temple has never stopped. Priests still perform daily aartis and rituals exactly as historical records describe.

• Daily worship recorded since roughly 108 CE
• Still an active pilgrimage site today
• Recognized by ASI (Archaeological Survey of India)

World’s Oldest Hindu Temple Explained

When people search for world oldest temple Hindu, they’re usually asking about Mundeshwari Devi Temple, since it combines both age and continuous active worship.

Other contenders for the oldest Hindu temple in the world include cave temples in India that predate freestanding structures but weren’t purpose-built shrines in the same way.

Oldest Hindu Temple in India

India is home to several sites competing for the oldest temple in India title. Mundeshwari Devi Temple leads for continuous worship, while parts of the Barabar Caves in Bihar date even earlier as rock-cut shrines.

Other historically significant contenders include early Shiva shrines in Tamil Nadu and cave temples across the Deccan region.

Second Oldest Temple in the World

If Göbekli Tepe takes the top spot for oldest structure, most experts consider Ġgantija in Malta the second oldest temple in the world, built around 3600 BCE.

This megalithic temple complex predates the pyramids and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, drawing history-focused travelers to the Mediterranean island of Gozo.

Oldest Temples in Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu holds some of India’s most historically rich temple architecture. When discussing the world’s oldest temple in Tamil Nadu, people often reference the Thiruvanaikaval and Chidambaram temples, though most active structures date to the early medieval period rather than antiquity.

• Thanjavur Brihadeeswarar Temple, over 1,000 years old
• Chidambaram Nataraja Temple, ancient Shaiva site
• Tiruvannamalai Arunachaleswarar Temple

Top 10 Oldest Temples Worldwide

For travelers researching the top 10 oldest temples in the world, here’s a quick list combining ruins and active sites:

1. Göbekli Tepe, Turkey
2. Ġgantija, Malta
3. Barabar Caves, India
4. Mundeshwari Devi Temple, India
5. Ta Prohm and Angkor complex, Cambodia
6. Kailasa Temple, Ellora, India
7. Newgrange (ritual monument), Ireland
8. Stonehenge (ritual site), England
9. Karnak Temple, Egypt
10. Jokhang Temple, Tibet

Ancient Temples in Cambodia and Southeast Asia

Many travelers wonder, is Angkor Wat the oldest temple in the world? The answer is no. Builders constructed Angkor Wat, the most famous oldest temple in the world that Cambodia has to offer, in the 12th century, making it far younger than Göbekli Tepe or Mundeshwari Devi Temple.

Angkor Wat remains historically important as the largest religious monument on earth, even though it isn’t the oldest.

Ancient Temples of Turkey and Malta

Turkey and Malta both hold major claims in this space. Göbekli Tepe holds the title of the earliest known temple structure, while Malta’s megalithic temples, including Ġgantija, hold the record as the oldest freestanding stone structures in the world.

Both sites are UNESCO-listed and open to visitors year-round, making them accessible stops for history-focused travel itineraries.

Which Religion Owns the Oldest Temple?

People often ask which religion the oldest temple in the world belongs to which religion applies most. Göbekli Tepe predates organized religion as we know it today, so it isn’t linked to any modern faith.

Among organized religions, Hinduism holds strong claims through sites like Mundeshwari Devi Temple, while Judaism, Buddhism, and Jainism each have their own ancient temple traditions dating back thousands of years.

• Oldest Shiva temple in the world: linked to early Hindu shrines in India
• Oldest Vishnu temple in the world: found in South India
• Oldest Buddhist temple in the world: Mahabodhi Temple, Bodh Gaya
• Oldest Jain temple in the world: cave shrines in Bihar and Odisha
• Oldest Jewish temple in the world: linked to the First Temple in Jerusalem
• Oldest Ganesh temple in the world: found in Maharashtra
• Oldest Murugan temple in the world: found in Tamil Nadu
• Oldest fire temple in the world: Zoroastrian Atash Behrams in Iran

Oldest Temple Ever Built vs Still in Use

It’s worth separating two ideas travelers often mix up. The oldest temple ever built is Göbekli Tepe, a ruin with no active worship. The oldest temple in the world still standing with continuous use is Mundeshwari Devi Temple.

This distinction matters for anyone planning a trip, since Göbekli Tepe offers archaeological viewing, while Mundeshwari Devi Temple offers a living cultural and spiritual experience.

UNESCO-Protected Ancient Temples

Several sites on this list carry UNESCO World Heritage status, which helps preserve them for future travelers.

• Göbekli Tepe, Turkey
• Ġgantija Temples, Malta
• Angkor Archaeological Park, Cambodia
• Karnak Temple Complex, Egypt

Mundeshwari Temple: History and Architecture

Mundeshwari Devi Temple is built in an unusual octagonal shape, rare among ancient Indian temples. Its design reflects early Nagara-style architecture with detailed stone carvings still visible today.

The temple’s structure has survived nearly two millennia with minimal restoration, which adds to its historical significance.

Octagonal Design and Chaturmukha Shivling

The temple houses a rare Chaturmukha Shivling, a four-faced representation of Lord Shiva, positioned at the center of the octagonal sanctum.

Deities Worshipped at the Temple

While primarily a Shiva temple, Mundeshwari Devi Temple also honors Goddess Durga, reflecting a blend of Shakta and Shaiva traditions within one shrine.

Best Time to Visit Mundeshwari Temple

The ideal time to visit is between October and March, when Bihar’s weather stays cool and comfortable for hillside walking.

Avoid the summer months of April through June, when temperatures in the region regularly cross 40°C.

How to Reach Mundeshwari Devi Temple

The temple sits near Bhabhua town in Kaimur district, Bihar.

• Nearest railway station: Bhabhua Road, about 15 km away
• Nearest airport: Varanasi (Babatpur), roughly 90 km away
• By road: well-connected via NH19 from Varanasi and Patna

Entry Timings, Fees and Travel Tips

The temple is open daily from early morning until evening, typically 6 AM to 6 PM, with no entry fee for visitors.

• Wear comfortable shoes for the hill climb
• Carry water, especially in warmer months
• Photography is generally allowed outside the sanctum

Nearby Attractions in Kaimur, Bihar

Travelers visiting Mundeshwari Devi Temple can combine the trip with other regional sites.

• Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary
• Karkatgarh Waterfall
• Rohtasgarh Fort

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the world’s First Temple?

Göbekli Tepe in Turkey is widely regarded as the oldest temple in the world, built over 11,000 years ago by hunter-gatherer communities.

Which temple is 10,000 years old in India?

No verified 10,000-year-old temple exists in India. The oldest temple in the world, Göbekli Tepe, dates back roughly 11,000 years and stands in Turkey.

Which is the first Hindu temple in the world?

Historians often cite Mundeshwari Devi Temple in Bihar as the first active Hindu temple and the oldest temple in the world still in continuous use.

Which temple is 7000 years old?

No confirmed 7,000-year-old temple exists today. Malta’s Ġgantija, built around 5,500 years ago, remains among history’s oldest temple in the world contenders.

Which is the 3000 year old Shiva temple in Kerala?

This legend links to Vaikom Mahadeva Temple in Kerala, though historians date it far younger than the world’s actual oldest temple.

Which is the world’s oldest Shiva temple?

Mundeshwari Devi Temple in Bihar is widely regarded as the world’s oldest active Shiva shrine, cementing its place among the oldest temples in the world.

Conclusion

The oldest temple in the world Turkey offers, Göbekli Tepe, dates back over 11,000 years, answering the common question of the oldest temple in the world how many years old truly is. For the oldest temple in the world still standing with active worship, Mundeshwari Devi Temple in world oldest temple in Bihar leads as the oldest temple in the world that Hindu travelers should visit.

Malta’s Ġgantija ranks as the second oldest temple in the world, while Angkor, the oldest temple in the world in Cambodia, draws millions yearly. Whether you’re exploring the top 10 oldest temples in the world or asking which religion the oldest temple belongs to, India remains the richest destination for oldest temple in the world India travel, especially across world oldest temple in Tamil Nadu.