The rupee on Monday tumbled by 68 paise to close at a near eight-week low of 66.44 against the American currency on persistent dollar demand from banks and importers amidst a sharp fall in equities.

Intraday, the rupee hovered in the 66.50-66.31 range at the forex market before closing at 66.44, down 1.03 per cent.

The rupee has lost 95 paise or 1.44 per cent in the last three trading days.