The beautiful Chamundi Hills near Mysore in Karnataka got its name after Goddess Chamundi, the incarnation of Goddess Parvati. The renowned Sri Chamundeshwari Temple is located on top of the Chamundi Hills, which is visited by millions of devotees from all over the country and abroad every year. Devotees have strong faith in the Goddess and they believe that the Goddess would help them to fulfill their desires.
The Chamundeswari Temple is considered a Shaktipeeth and one among the 18 Maha Shakti Peethas. It is known as Krouncha Pitham and the region was known in Puranic times as Krouncha Puri. It is said that the hair of Sati Devi fell here. It is situated at an elevation of around 3300 ft from the mean sea level.
‘Skanda Purana’ and other ancient texts mention a sacred place called ‘Trimuta Kshetra’ surrounded by eight hills. Lying on the western side is the Chamundi Hills, one among the eight hills. In the earlier days, the Hill was identified as ‘Mahabaladri’ in honor of God Shiva who resides in the ‘Mahabaleswara Temple’.
It is believed that Goddess Durga slayed the demon king Mahishasura on the top of this hill which was ruled by him. The place was later known as Mahishooru (Place of Mahisha). The British changed it to Mysore and later Kannadized it into Mysuru.
Festivals celebrated in this temple are Ashada Shukravara, Navaratri, Ammanavara Vardhanthi (Ashadha month), Chamundi Jayanti, Navaratri, Mysuru Dasara (idol decorated in 9 different forms).
There is another temple located at the foothills of Chamundi Hill called Jwalamalini Sri Tripura Sundari Temple in Utthanahalli. This temple is dedicated to Goddess Jwalamalini Sri Tripura Sundari, who is considered the sister of Chamundeshwari. She helped Chamundeshwari in the battle against the demon Raktabīja, assisting in her defeat. The temple holds significance as a place of worship for devotees seeking the blessings of Goddess Jwalamalini Sri Tripura Sundari.
Chamundeshwari Temple Darshana and Pooja Timings:
Morning: 7.30 AM to 2.00 PM
Afternoon: 3.30 PM to 6.00 PM
Evening: 7.30 PM to 9.00 PM
Abhisheka Timings :
Morning: 6.00 AM to 7.30 AM
Evening: 6.00 PM to 7.30 PM
On Fridays: 5.00 AM to 6.30 AM
Note:
Prasadam is available for Abhishekam tickets only from 7:30 AM to 10:30 AM and from 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM.
Free meals are provided to all devotees between 12.30 PM to 2.30 PM on all days.
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About Chamundi Hills Temple:
The foundation of the Temple is as old as the 12th century whereas its tower is about 300 years old. The seven-story temple has a 40-meter-high ‘gopuram’ decorated with intricate carvings. The unique feature of the temple is that the idol of the Goddess is made of solid gold. Temple gates are made of silver. The temple is also believed to have a jewel Nakshatra-Malike which has the inscriptions of 30 Sanskrit shlokas on it. Another major attraction of the temple is a 16-foot-high statue of the demon Mahishasura installed near the temple. The reason behind this is that it was the goddess Chamundeswari (Parvati) who killed the demon Mahishasura and protected the area and hence Devi Chamundi is also affectionately called the Goddess of Mysore. The word ‘Chamundi’ literally means ‘terrible’ and it is the other name for Parvati, who assumed an angry mood to kill the demon.
Sri Chamundeshwari Temple History
The original shrine is believed to have been constructed in the 12th century by the rulers of Hoysala Dynasty. The majestic temple tower was added by the Vijayanagara Empire rulers in the 17th century. A remarkable feat was accomplished in 1659 when a staircase consisting of one thousand steps was built, leading up to the hill’s summit, which stands at an elevation of 3000 feet.
Within the temple premises, several images of Nandi, the sacred bull and the divine vehicle of God Shiva, can be found. On the 700th step of the hill, there is a huge granite Nandi situated in front of a small Shiva temple. This magnificent Nandi sculpture was believed to have been sculpted in the 2nd century CE. This Nandi is over 15 feet tall and spans a length of 24 feet long. Adorned with ornate bells around its neck, the Nandi exudes an exquisite presence, captivating all who encounter it.
Deities Chamundeshwari Temples:
- Vinayaka temple at the western gate of the Palace
- Kille Venkataramana Swami Temple
- Kodi Someshwaraswamy Temple
- Sri Bhuvaneshwari Temple
- Sri Gayatri Temple
- Sri Lakshmiramana Swami Temple
- Sri Prasanna Krishnaswami Temple
- Sri Shweta Varahaswami Temple
- Kote Anjaneyaswamy 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
Chamundeshwari Temple Seva Details:
- Kumkum Asthothra
- Kumkum Trishathi
- Kumkum sahasranama
- Abhisheka
- Ekadashavara Abhisheka
- Panchamurtha Abhisheka
- Maha Pooja
- Rudrakshi Mantapothsava
- Prakarothsava
- Dodda Uthsava
- Simha Vahanothsava
- Dodda Simhavahanothsava
- Belli (Silver Rathothsava
- Hoovina Saree Kanika
- Seere Darishuva Kanika
- Sapathashati Parayana
- Kadali Seva
- Seva
- Vehicle Pooja
- Nivedana
- Shatha Chandi Homa
- Nava Chandi Homa
- Flood Light to Gopuram Seva
- Flood Light to Gopuram Seva
- Thulabara Kanike
- Dasoha Seva
Homa, Abhiseka, Utsava: Sevas to the Mother Chamundeshwari should be informed two days prior.
Utsavas and Jatras of the Temple:
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 4 th 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.
Temples Near Chamundeshwari Temple:
Mysore Palace 10 km.
Krishnaraja sagara (K.R.S) 32 kms
Sri Srikanteswaraswamy Tempe, Nanjangud 34 kms
Bird Sanctuary 20 km
Bandipura National Park 70 km
Mysore Zoo 9 km
Jaganmohana Palace 12 km
Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, Srirangapatna 24 kms
Sri Nimishamba Temple, Ganjam 22 km
Nagarahole Forest 100 km
For Donation
Canara Bank Nazarbad Mysuru
Account No: 0565101038160
IFSC Code: CNRB0000565
Chamundeshwari Temple Address:
Sri Chamundeswari Temple,
Chamundi Hill, Mysore 570010,
Karnataka, India.
Office Phone: 0821 259 0027
Temple Phone: 0821 259 0127
Fax : 0821-2590082
