Sri Chamundeshwari Temple

Overview

Sri Chamundeshwari Temple is one of the renowned shrines located at the famous Chamundi Hills in the Mysore district of Karnataka, India. The Chamundi or Chamundeshwari Temple is believed to be more than 1000 year old and is primarily dedicated to Devi Chamundeshwari, a form of Devi Parvathi. The hill shrine is located on top of the 3000 ft high Chamundi Hill and stands as on of the most prominent tourist destinations of Mysore. One has to climb about a 1000 steps or can drive till the temple.

About The Temple

When reaching the halfway mark on the Chamundi hill, we will come across a small Shiva Temple. The temple houses a huge 15 foot statue of the Nandi Dev which is the most prominent feature of this shrine. The Nandi Dev is seen adorning bell necklace around his neck. On reaching the hill top, we find a fiery image of the demon Mahishasura, who was killed by the mighty Goddess Durga. The Dravidian styled temple tower has exquisite sculptures and lies very near to this spot. The temple is basically designed in a square pattern.

The vigraha of Lord Ganesha is seen near the doorway, which is silver plated and has images depicting the forms of Goddess Durga. The doorway leads to a mukha mandapa and a Navaranga. The Antarala Mandapa houses Lord Ganesha and Lord Bhairava on either sides. A statue of Maharaja Krishnaraja Wodeyar of Mysore along with his three wives is present in this temple. The main Sanctum Sanctorum has a beautiful eight-armed idol of Devi Chamundi who graces here in a sitting position.

About The Deity

Mahishasura Mardhini is the mighty goddess who vanquished the demon Mahishasura. She is also called Sri Chamundeeswari, or Durga who is a fierce form of Goddess Shakti. A huge image of the demon, Mahishasura is found on the entrance of the hill shrine. This statue is believed to have been built by king Dodda Devaraja.

Nandi Deva (The sacred bull of Lord Shiva) is a monolith sculpture found at the 800th step of the hill. The massive statue measures over 15feet in height and 24 feet in length. There are many shrines dedicated to Shiva Mahabaleshwar and Lakshmi Narayana.

Legend and Stories

Sri Chamundeshwari temple is said to have been originally built around the 12th century AD by the famous Hoysala King Vishnuvardhana. Some structures were added to this temple later by kings from other dynasties such as the Vijayanagara and Mysore Maharajas. Goddess Chamundeshwari is the family deity of the Mysore Maharajas, hence the Mysore rulers have made generous contributions to this temple. Maharaja Dodda Devaraja of Mysore is credited to have built the flight of 1000 steps that leads tp te hill top temple. Chamraja Wodeyar IV was a staunch devotee of this deity who is believed to have saved the king miraculously from a lightening hit. Maharaja Krishnaraja Wodeyar II built the majestic Raja Gopuram and presented the Nakshatramalika jewel with sanskrit verses inscribed on it.

Mythology

The divine legend of Sri Chamundi Devi is vividly explained in the revered text called the Markandeya Purana. There once lived two Asura brothers named Sumba and Nisumba, who gained immense strength by severe penance. The started becoming arrogant and posed numerous threat to the Devas and other earthly beings.

The Devas prayed goddess Parvati to save them from the evil clutches of the demons. The kind goddess thus took form of a beautiful young maiden and came down the Earth. The Asura brothers were bowled down by her beauty and tried wooing her by sending their emissaries. When they failed in their attempts, they tried forcing her to come with them. However the goddess killed the generals named San Dan and Mundan who were sent by the Asuras.

The Goddess manifested as a fierce form of Devi Kali and destroyed the evil generals. Since she killed Sandan and Mundan, she got the name Samundi or Samundeshwari. Later this colloquially became Chamundi or Chamundeshwari.

Festivals

During the holy festival of Dasara, on the tenth day which is called the Vijayadashami, the Jumboo Savari usually takes place. This is a traditional Dasara procession that goes around the streets of Mysore city. The vigraha of the Goddess is placed on a Golden mantapa, on the top of a well decirayef elephant. Balarama is the elephant who has been performing this honor for the past 9 years.

Pooja and Abhisheka Timing

Darshana and Pooja Timings: 7.30 a.m to 2.00 p.m and 3.30 to 6.00 p.m and 7-30 p.m to 9 p.m.
Abhisheka Timings: 6 a.m. to 7.30 a.m and 6 p.m to 7.30 p.m Friday 5 a.m to 6.30 a.m.

Seva Name

Kumkum Sahasranama, Panchannrutha Abhisheka, Ekavara Abhisheka, Ekadashavara Abhishega, MahaPooja, Rudrekshi Mantapothsava, Prakarothsava, Dodda Uthsava, Simha Vahanothsava, Dodda Simha Vahanothsava, Belli (Silver) Rathothsava, Dodda Belli(Silver) Rathothsava, Saptha Shati Parayana, Nivedane (500 GRMS), Tulabhara Kanike, Anna Dasoha Seva.

How To Reach Mysore

Airport

The new Bangalore International Airport is the major airport located closest to Mysore and is about 170 kms away.

Railways

Mysore is very well connected with many major cities of the country by efficient rail network. The Mysore railway station is merely 2 Kms from the city center.

Road

Buses are available from the Kempegowda Bus Station (near the Bangalore City Railway Station) to Mysore. Several state run and private operators ply buses connecting these places.

Temple Address

Sri Chamundeshwari Temple,
Chamundi Hill,
Mysuru, Karnataka,
Pincode - 570010.