In its proximity to the Mysore Palace, the Chamundeshwari Temple is situated on the Chamundi hill, about 13 km from the city of Mysore. This Chamundeswari Temple, Mysore has the status of one of the 18 Shakti Peetha or the Power of energy center. It is also named Krouncha Peetha because in the Vedic era the region where it is located was called Krouncha Puri. The Chamundi hill is one of the major attractions in Mysore city. Built at an altitude of about 1065 meters above the sea level, and if you visit Mysore, then try to pay a visit there also. On the top of the hill of Chamundi, there is a dedicated Chamundeshwari Temple dedicated to goddess Chamundeswari, she is an incarnation of goddess Parvati. It used to be the goddess of the Wadiyars! They had great faith and belief in the goddess.
The Chamundeswari Temple, Mysore was built in the 11th century, and the Mysore Kings got to repair it in 1827. The statue of the demon king Mahishasura is placed in front of the temple. Another characteristic of Chamundi Hills is a Nandi statue of 3 meters high there, which was carved out of black granite in 1659. On top of the hill, there is another small temple dedicated to Hanuman, which is open from 7.30 a.m. to 2 in the morning from 3.30 am to 6 pm. You can see the beautiful scenery of the city from Chamundi Hill.
Originally there was a small temple, but after some centuries the Chamundeswari Temple, Mysore received aids and development was made by the rulers of Mysore since then the small temple was converted into a big temple. There were sacrifices of humans and animals that were made at this temple quite often, but this practice was discontinued from the 18th century. The heritage city stands-out because of the temple of Chamundeshwari, who is the destroyer of the demons Chanda and Munda, and also the Mahishasura, who was the invincible ruler of the demons.
The Chamundeswari Temple, Mysore has a 1000-year-old legacy in Karnataka. The popularity of the goddess reached far across the states as the Wodeyar family took control of the kingdom of Mysore in the year1399 A.D. In the year 1659, a vertical stairway with about a thousand steps was constructed to climb the 3000-feet high hills where the temple is situated.
Like a jewel in the crown of Mysore, the Chamundi Hills, is like a paradise itself. The forests around the hill are abundant in fauna, flora and avifaunal wealth. The architecture of the Chamundeswari Temple, Mysore is such that it is a quadrangular structure built according to the Dravidian style. It has an entrance, Navaranga Hall, Antharala Mantapa, Sanctum Sanctorum, and Prakhar. At the entrance, there is a gopura which is a pyramid-shaped tower and a small tower called Vimana is placed on top of the sanctum sanctorum. The seven Kalashas made of gold are placed on the tower at the entrance.
The Chamundeswari Temple, Mysore was renovated by Krishnaraja Wodeyar III in the year 1827 A.D and he also mounted a Sinha-Vahana which is the amount of the lion, he donated lots of other valuables to the shrine. The king has also gifted cars that are still being used on special religious ceremonies and grand events.
Chamundeswari Temple, Mysore Timings: 7:30 A.M. to 2:00 P.M., 3:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M., 7:30 P.M. to 9:00 P.M.
Chamundeswari Temple, Mysore Entry Fees: Nil
