Chamundeshwari Temple, Mysore

Chamundeshwari Temple, Mysore History Timings & How to reach

At a height of 1000 feet in the Chamundi hills on the eastern outskirts of Mysore, stands the traditional Hindu temple known as Chamundeshwari Temple. In addition to statues of Nandi and the demon Mahishasura, the temple is dedicated to and named after the goddess Durga. The temple is a must-see destination for tourists since it is among the oldest in the capital city of Mysore. Among the 18 Maha Shakti Peethas, the Chamundeshwari Temple is regarded as a Shakti Peetha.

Visitors can choose to drive via the interlaced valley road or climb the steps to get to the Chamundeshwari temple. The temple takes its name from the goddess Durga and displays the fearsome form of Shakti, a tutelary deity revered for generations by the Maharajas of Mysore. Numerous priests worship the idol of the goddess Durga here, which is decorated daily. To honour and revere the deity, a variety of fruits, coconuts, and flowers are offered.

The temple, which is situated on top of the Chamundi hills, is typically not overcrowded. The demon Mahishasura is also depicted in statues at the Chamundeshwari temple; the massive statues are even visible from the road leading up to the shrine. The Nandi statue, a cow that is highly significant in Hindu mythology, is also housed at the temple. The Lalitha Mahal Palace and other important city landmarks are visible from the temple, making for a breathtaking panorama. By reducing the usage of plastics and the disposal of hazardous materials, the temple has also been designated as a No Plastic Zone, thus aiding in environmental conservation.

History of Chamundeshwari temple, Mysore

The history of this ancient temple spans more than a millennium. Originally constructed as a modest shrine, it later became extremely popular because of the goddess Durga’s divinity. After the Wodeyars, the Maharajas of Mysore, took control in 1399 AD, it became extremely important. The monarchs of the Hoysala, Vijayanagara, and Mysore kingdoms are credited with making significant contributions to this temple. One of the oldest and most well-known temples in Mysore is Chamundeshwari, which is situated atop the Chamundi hills.  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.

Architecture of Chamundeshwari Temple, Mysore

The temple of Chamundeshwari has a quadrangular shape. The main entryway, entrance, Navaranga Hall, Antharala Mantapa, Sanctum Sanctorum, and Prakara are all part of its Dravidian-style construction. On top of the sanctum sanctorum is a modest tower, and at the entrance is a stunning seven-stage pyramidal structure. Seven golden Kalashas are positioned atop the tower at the entryway. Additionally, there is a tiny picture of Lord Ganesha on the entryway of the tower at the entrance. Images of the Goddess in many incarnations adorn the silver-plated gateway.

There is a little statue of Lord Ganesha on the right as one enters. A flagstaff, the Goddess’ footprints, and a tiny statue of Nandi face the sanctum sanctorum after a short distance. The crown of Mysore is symbolised by this ancient structure. Located on the 800th step of the hill, the Nandi statue is thought to have been constructed of granite. It is roughly fifteen feet high and has metallic bells around its neck.

Attractions Near Chamundeshwari Temple, Mysore

Numerous enticing locations are close by in addition to the Chamundeswari temple. There are statues of Mahishasura and Nandi, as well as temples dedicated to Mahabaladri and Narayanaswamy. The Chamundi Hills don’t have many other noteworthy locations. The Lalitha Palace is one of them. The royal family of Mysore owns it. Every time the Maharajas travelled to the highlands, they would spend a brief time at this palace. Constructed atop a hill, it provides a picturesque aerial perspective of Mysore city and distant locations. Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV was the ruler when Lalithadri Palace was constructed.

Chamundeshwari Temple, Mysore Timings 

7:30 AM to 2:00 PM, 3:30 PM to 6:00 PM, and 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM are the temple’s opening hours. These are the temple’s Darshana and Pooja times.

Abhisheka is open from 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM and from 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM. However, the hours are changed to 5:00 AM to 6:30 AM on Fridays.

Every day from 12:30 PM to 2:30 PM, the temple provides its faithful with free meals called Dasoha.

Best Time To Visit Chamundeshwari Temple, Mysore

From September to October, Chamundi Hills provides the best all-around vista of Mysore city. Despite the year-round nice weather, the temple receives a lot of visitors in September and October because of the Dussehra and Diwali celebrations. Both morning and evening are good times to visit the temple.

How To Reach Chamundeshwari Temple, Mysore

The Mysore Junction train station is 13 km away from the Chamundeshwari temple. The cost of the autorickshaws is minimal. The drive to the Chamundi Hills from the station takes roughly half an hour. Additionally, to make travelling easier and more comfortable, KSRTC buses run every 20 minutes between Sri Chamundeshwari Temple and the Mysore city bus stop.