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This temple, of great antiquity, has a background of over 1,000 years. It was built as a simple shrine but later gained immense popularity due to the divinity of goddess Durga. It gained a lot of significance after the Maharajas of Mysore, the Wodeyars, came to power in 1399 AD. The credit for major contributions for this temple goes to three dynasties- Hoysala, Vijayanagar and Mysore rulers. Placed on the top of the Chamundi hills, the Chamundeshwari temple is one of the most popular and ancient temples of Mysore. According to history logs, the original shrine was built in the 12th century by the Hoysala rulers, with the towers being built by the Vijayanagar rulers of the 17th century. Further, a flight of one thousand steps was built in 1659 that leads up to the 3000-foot summit of the Chamundi Hill.

The Chamundeshwari temple exhibits a quadrangular structure. It is built in Dravidian style, consisting of the main doorway, entrance, Navaranga Hall, Antharala Mantapa, Sanctum Sanctorum and Prakara. There is a beautiful seven-stage pyramidal tower at the entrance and a small tower on top of the sanctum sanctorum. On the top of the tower placed at the entrance, there are seven golden Kalashas. The tower at the entrance also has a small image of Lord Ganesha on the doorway. The doorway is silver-plated and has the images of the Goddess in different forms.

As one enters inside, on the right-hand side is a small statue of Lord Ganesha. After a few steps; there is a flagstaff, the footprints of the Goddess and a small statue of Nandi, facing the sanctum sanctorum. This temple is of great antiquity and symbolises the crown of Mysore. The Nandi statue is considered to be built by granite and is placed on the 800th step on the hill. It is adorned with metallic bells around its neck and measures about 15 feet high.

Built in the Dravidian style of architecture, Chamundeswari Temple has a quadrangular structure. It has an impressive seven-tier tower called as ‘gopuram’ or ‘gopura’ and an equally imposing entrance which is known as ‘dwara’. These two can be seen even from the distance of many miles. Its silver gates still presents a glimpse into the royal past. Along with these, the temple is comprises of Sanctum Sanctorum, Navaranga Hall, Antharala Mantapa and Prakara. On the top of sanctum sanctorum, there is a small tower called ‘vimana’.

Originally, a small temple, it gained its present form, because of the expansions offered by the Mysore Maharajas. It is also said that animal sacrifices used to be performed here, which were stopped in 18th century. The temple used to be under the care of Mysore rulers.2

The 1000 steps to the temple were built by Dodda Devaraja Wodeyar in 1659. It was during his reign that the massive sculpture of Nandi, Lord Shiva’s bull, was built. With a height of 16 feet and a length of 25 feet, it is considered to be one of the largest statues of Nandi in India. Around the neck of Nandi, you will find captivating pendant bells.

In 1827, Krishnaraja Wodeyar III renovated the temple. It was during his reign when the imposing entrance to the temple was built. Krishnaraja Wodeyar also presented a lion shaped vehicle to the temple, called as ‘Simha-vahana’ along with various other vehicles which are now used for religious and temple processions. There is also a 6 feet tall statue of Maharaja Krishnaraja Wodeyar III, in front of the sanctum sanctorum which is worth noticing. Statues of his three wives, Ramavilasa, Lakshmivilasa and Krishnavilasa are also located on his both sides.

The pyramidal tower at the entrance, which has been designed in the Dravidian style with a small statue of Ganesha, adds on to the beauty of this temple. There are many different images of Goddess at the silver-plated doorway.

Many rulers have contributed to the development of the temple and offered various valuable jewels and items to Goddess Chamundeshwari. Now devotees make offerings coconuts, fruits, and flowers to the deity.

This temple is perfect combination of architectural beauty with the piousness of firm beliefs and religious sentiments. You will find two more temples at the hill, dedicated to the Lakshmi Narayana Swamy and Mahabaleswara. Sri Mahabaleshwara temple is said to be the oldest temple on the hill. It is believed that devotees can eliminate their past sins by climbing the steps to the temple.

Chamundi Hills

Seen from all the corners of Mysore, Chamundi Hills stand majestically with a height of about 3,489 feet above the sea level. These hills are located at a distance of about 13 km from Mysore. These hills stand about 800 feet above the Mysore city.

These hills have been mentioned in the ancient Hindu scriptures such as ‘Skanda Purana’. Place named Trimuta Kshetra has been mentioned in these texts; this place is surrounded by eight hills and Chamundi Hills in one among them. Earlier, the hill used to be known as Mahabaladri after the Mahabaleswara Temple which is dedicated to Lord Shiva. It is also the oldest temple on the hills. Afterwards, the hill came to be known as ‘Chamundi Hills’ after the Goddess Chamundi.

When on the Chamundi hills, tourists can get a bird’s eye view of Mysore. Tourists can get a glimpse of Mysore Palace, Dasara Exhibition grounds, Lalitha Mahal Palace, etc.

The original shrine is thought to have been built in the 12th century by the Rulers of the Hoysala Dynasty while its tower was probably built by the Rulers of the Vijayanagara Empire in the 17th century. In 1659, a staircase of one thousand steps was built leading up to the 3000-foot summit of the hill.

Chamundeshwari Temple is about 13 kms from Mysuru, which is a prominent city in Karnataka State, India. Sri Chamundeshwari Temples is famous not only in India but also abroad. Atop of the hill the famous Sri Chamundeswari Temple. ‘Chamundi’ or ‘Durga’ is the fierce form of ‘Shakti’. She is the slayer of demons, ‘Chanda’ and ‘Munda’ and also ‘Mahishasura’, the buffalow-headed monster.

She is the tutelary deity of the Mysuru Maharajas and the presiding deity of Mysuru. For several centuries they have held the Goddess, Chamundeswari, in great reverence.

‘Skanda Purana’ and other ancient texts mention a sacred place called ‘Trimuta Kshetra’ surrounded by eight hills. Lying on the western side is the Sri Chamundeshwari Temples, one among the eight hills. In the earlier days, the Hill was identified as ‘Mahabaladri’ in honour of God Shiva who resides in the ‘Mahabaleswara Temple’. This is the oldest temple on the hills.

In the later days, the hill came to be known as ‘Sri Chamundeshwari Temples’ in honour of the Goddess Chamundi, the chief subject of the ‘Devi Mahathme’. The Goddess is believed to be an incarnation of Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva. A large number of devotees from all over the country and from abroad visit the temple every year. They believe that the Goddess fulfills their desires and aspirations.

Sri Chamundeshwari Temples rises to a height of 3,489 feet MSL and is visible from a distance itself while traveling towards Mysuru. There is a good motorable road to the top. Besides from Mysuru side, there is also a motorable road from its rear side, the Nanjangud side. Bus facilities are available to visit the hills. Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) operates regular bus services every day for the convenience of pilgrims and others.

A temple of great antiquity with over 1,000 years of background, it was a small shrine initially and assuming importance over the centuries it became a big temple as seen today. It assumed significance after the Mysuru Maharajas, the Wodeyars, came to power in 1399 A.D., great devotees and worshippers of the Devi, Chamundeswari became their home deity and thus assumed religious prominance.

The crowning glory of Mysuru, Sri Chamundeshwari Temples is an enchanting place surrounded by natural beauty. In the forest, there are varieties of trees, birds and animals. While going up the hills, a bird’s eye view of Mysuru can be seen and several prominent places be spotted. It offers a spectacular scene when the Palace and its surroundings are illuminated during the Dasara and other occasions.

Some of the places that can be spotted from the hills are the Palace, Lalitha Mahal Palace, which houses the ITDC hotel, Dasara Exhibition grounds, Race Course, Kukkarahalli Lake, St. Philomena’s Church, and Krishnarajasagar at a far off distance.

Besides the Chamundi and the Mahabaleswara temples, there are a few more temples atop the hills. There are also some interesting spots and the monolith statue of ‘Nandi’ is among them. While proceeding towards the Chamundi Temple, the statue of ‘Mahishasura’ attracts the visitors. The ‘Chamundi Village’ is located close to the temple.

The temple is of a quadrangular structure. Built in Dravidian style, it consists of the Main Doorway, Entrance, Navaranga Hall, Antharala Mantapa, Sanctum Sanctorum, and Prakara. There is a beautiful seven-tier Gopura or pyramidal tower at the entrance and a ‘Vimana’ (small tower) atop the sanctum sanctorum. Atop the ‘Shikara’, the tower at the entrance, are seven golden ‘Kalashas’.

Krishnaraja Wodeyar III repaired the shrine in 1827 A.D and built the present beautiful tower at the entrance (Gopura). Blessed by the Goddess, Krishnaraja Wodeyar, an ardent devotee of the mother Goddess, presented to the temple a ‘Simha-vahana’ (A lion-shaped vehicle) and other animal cars and jewels of value. The cars are used even now for processions on special religious occasions.

The tower at the entrance has a small image of Lord Ganesha on the doorway. The doorway is silver-plated and has the images of the Goddess in different forms. On either side of the doorway are the images of ‘Dwarapalakas’ or door-keepers. As one enters inside, on the right hand side is a small statue of Lord Ganesha, the remover of all obstacles. After a few steps, there is a flagstaff, the footprints of the Goddess and a small statue of Nandi, facing the sanctum sanctorum. On the right side, before approaching the flag staff, there is an image of ‘Anjaneya’ attached to the wall. On either side of this entrance are two Dikpalakas, Nandini and Kamalini.