Chamundeshwari Devi, Mysore

Chamundi Hills is located 13 kilometers east of Mysore. The hill is crowned by a temple considered as the Chamundeshwari Temple. The hills and the temple above it are named after the Goddess Chamundeshwari. These rich green hills give an incredible travel experience.

There is a large structure of Nandi, the bull of Shiva constructed entirely out of granite on the 800th step of the 1000 steps of the temple. The temple’s deity is made of gold and the temple doors are of silver. The Chamundeshwari Temple is thought of as a Shakti Peetha and one among the 18 Maha Shakti Peethas. It is known as Krouncha Pitham as the location was known in the Puranic period of times as Krouncha Puri.

History

The chief legend of Chamundeshwari relates to the creation of the Shakti Peethas. Sati, the daughter of Prajapati Daksha, was married to the god Shiva versus his wishes. Daksha arranged a great yajna but did not invite Sati and Shiva. Uninvited, Sati reached the Yajna site, where Daksha ignored Sati as well as Shiva.

Sati was not able to withstand this insult. So, Devi Sati gave her life by jumping into the fire of Havan organized by her father King Daksh. When Lord Shiva was running around the planet carrying her body Lord Vishnu divided the body into 51 parts utilizing his Sudarshan chakra. Out of those 51 parts, from which the ‘Hair’ of Sati fell to this place. Here Sati is called Chamundeshwari.

The Chamundeshwari temple was constructed in the 12th century by Hoysala King, Vishnuvardhana. Later on, additions were made by the Vijayanagar rulers and the Maharajas of Mysore. The Maharajas have thought about Maa Chamundeshwari as their family goddess. Maharaja Dodda Devaraja built the 1000 flight of steps to reach the temple. The temple tower was constructed by Maharaja Krishna Raja Wodeyar and presented the Nakshatramalika to the deity. In 1659, Dodda Devaraja Wodeyar Maharaja was gifted the Nandi.

Importance

The Chamundi hill is believed to have been known after the Deity Chamundi, which is a version of Parvati or Durga. A great deal of devotees visit the temple all over the year, drawn by its magnificence and charm. The Chamundi hills are the abode of Maa Chamundeshwari. She stays in the hills and blesses the city. The temple structure is among the finest specimens of Dravidian design of architecture, a wonderful art piece and elegance. The exquisitely sculpted structure of Nandi was a present from the Maharaja Dodda Devaraja Wodeyar. The Goddess is extremely revered amongst the devotees.

Architecture

The temple is of a quadrangular construction. Integrated into the Dravidian design, it includes the Main Doorway, Entrance, Navaranga Hall, Antharala Mantapa, Shrine Sanctorum, and Prakara. There is a stunning seven-tier Gopura or triangular tower at the entryway and a ‘Vimana’ (little tower) atop the temple Sanctorum. Atop the ‘Shikhara’ is 7 golden ‘Kalasha’.

Krishnaraja Wodeyar III fixed the shrine in 1827 A.D and constructed today a stunning tower at the entryway (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 creature cars and gems of worth. The cars are utilized even now for processions on specific devotional celebrations.

Idol

The tower at the entrance has a little picture of Lord Ganesha on the entrance. The entrance is silver-plated and has pictures of the Goddess in various forms. On either side of the entrance are the pictures of ‘Dwarapalakas’ or door-keepers. As one enters indoors, on the right-hand side is a little statue of Lord Ganesha, the remover of all challenges. After a couple of steps, there is a flagstaff, the footprints of the Goddess, and a little statue of Nandi, facing the temple Sanctorum. On the right side, just before approaching the flagstaff, there is a picture of ‘Anjaneya’ attached to the wall. On either side of this entryway are 2 Dikpalakas, Nandini and Kamalini.

In the ‘Antharala’ prior to the divine temple Sanctorum are the pictures of Lord Ganesha on the left side and of ‘Bhyrava’ on the right side. To the left of Ganesha, there is an attractive 6-foot statue of Maharaja Krishnaraja Wodeyar III. He is standing with his palms folded up in his holy clothing. On either side of him are his 3 wives, Lakshmivilasa, Ramavilasa, and Krishna Vilas. Their names are sculpted on the pedestals In the temple Sanctorum is the rock statue of the Goddess, ‘Mahisha Mardini.’ Having ‘Ashta Bhujas’ or 8 shoulders, she remains in a seated posture. According to the regional legend, the image was established by sage Markandeya and therefore it is believed to be older.

The idol of the Goddess is beautified every day and worshipped by many priests. The Mysore Maharajas have contributed several important presents to their loved ones. Daily flowers, coconuts, and fruits are offered to the deity.

On top of the temple Sanctorum, a little tower or ‘Vimana’ is seen. In the ‘Prakara’ or enclosure, behind the temple Sanctorum, are little pictures of a couple of deities, which are also worshipped.

Festivals

• Sri Chamundeswari Birthday Ashadakrishna saptami day
• Sri Chamundeswari Shainotsava Asvauja Krishna tritiya
• Sri Chamundeswari mudi utsava Asvauja Krishna Panchami day
• Sri Chamundeswari vasantotsava Chaitrapadya day
• Sri Chamundeswari Dasara Utsavas Asvauja Sukla Padya to Dasami day (9 days)
• Sri Chamundeswari Kritikotsava Kartika Poornima day
• Sri Chamundeswari Kotarotsava Pusyamasa 4th day
• Sri Chamundeswari Rathotsava Asvayuja Poornima day (morning)
• Sri Chamundeswari Teppotsava Asvauja Krishna Dvitiya (Evening)
• Sri Mahabaleswara Rathotsava Palgunaksirhna sresti
• Uttanahalaii jwalamuki temple jatra Magamasa 3rd Sunday.

Poojas and Rituals at Chamundeshwari Temple

• The royal family contributes presents to the temple to preserve the ritual and show of the temple. Coconuts, fruits, and fresh flowers are the popular ingredients in the worship of the deity Chamundeshwari.
• Ashada Shukravara, that is, the very first Friday of the Hindu lunar month
• Devotees might also ask for significant sevas like homas, abhishekas, and utsavas by intimating the temple committee prior to 2 days.
• Devotees can also provide a saree to the deity one month prior to intimation to the Chamundeshwari temple trustees.

Other Temple in Temple Campus:

• Kodi Someshwaraswami Temple
• Vinayaka temple at the western gate of the palace
• Kille Venkataramana Swami Temple
• Sri Bhuvaneshwari temple
• Sri Gayatri Temple
• Sri Lakshmiramana Swami Temple
• Sri Prasanna Krishnaswami Temple
• Sri Shweta Varahaswami Temple
• Sri Kote Anjaneya Temple
• South Side Shree Anjaneya Swamy Temple
• Anajaneya and Sri Chamundeshwari Temple
• Kamakameshwari Temple
• Kote siddi Vinayaka Temple
• Chandramouleshwara Temple
• Thripyneshwara Temple
• Devirammani Ganapathi Temple
• Bairaveshwara Temple
• Vitoba Swami Temple
• Sri Jwalamukhi Tripura Sundaramma Temple

Nearby Attractions

• Mysore Place – 10 k.m.
• Mysore Zoo – 09 k.m.
• Sri Srikanteswaraswamy Tempe, Nanjangud – 34 k.m.
• Sri Nimishamba Temple, Ganjam – 22 k.m.
• Bird Sanctuary – 20 k.m.
• Bandipura National Park – 70 k.m
• Krishnaraja sagara (K.R.S) – 32 k.m.
• Jaganmohana Palace – 12 k.m
• Nagarahole Forest – 100 k.m.
• Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangapatna – 24 k.m.

Facilities

• Primary Health Care Unit at Chamundi Hills.
• Ladu Prasadam is available beside the Temple.
• Drinking Water for devotees at Chamundi Hills.
• Homa, Abhisheka, Festivals – Sevas to Divine Mother may please be intimated two days earlier.
• Dasoha (free meals) is managed for devotees daily by the temple administration.
• KSRTC Bus Facilities are available every 30 minutes from the City Bus Stand to Chamundi Hill.

How to Reach

• By Air: The Temple can be reached through nearby Mysore Airport(7 km) which is connected with regular domestic flights to Delhi, and Mumbai.
• By Rail: The nearby Railway Station to the temple is Mysore which is 6 km from the temple
• By Road: Chamundi Hills rises to a height of 3,489 feet MSL and is viewable from a distance itself while taking a trip towards Mysore. There is a great motorable highway to the top. From the Mysore side, there is also a motorable roadway from its rear side, the Nanjangud side. Bus amenities are readily available to visit the hills. Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) operates regular bus services every day for the satisfaction of others and pilgrims.

Temple Timings

Darshan Timing

Morning Timing	Noon Timing	Evening Timing
7:30 AM to 2:00 PM	3:00 PM to 6:00 PM	7:30 PM to 9:00 PM

Aarti, Bhog and Pooja Timing

Day	Abhisheka Timings
Saturday To Thursday	6:00 AM to 7.30 AM
Saturday To Thursday	6:00 PM to 7.30 PM
Friday	5 AM to 6.30 AM

Dasoha (free meals) is arranged for devotees daily:

Daily Free Meals (Food)

12.30 PM to 2.30 PM

Chamundeshwari Devi, Mysore Video

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