Chamundi Hills

A car trip to Chamundi hills Mysore

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• published: 29 Jun 2014
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Chamundi Hills are located close to the prominent palace city of Mysore in Karnataka. The Chamundi Hills are among the eight most sacred hills of South India. The main Chamundi Hill which carries the Chamundeshwari Temple atop is approximately 3 km to the east of the city of Mysore. The temple is a 12 km ride from Mysore city that leads to the peak of the Chamundi Hill at 1063m above sea level. From the top of the hills a panoramic view of the city can be seen with key attractions that include the Mysore Palace, the Karanji Lake and several smaller temples. The Chamundeshwari temple, patronized for centuries by the rulers of Mysore, is located among these hills. It was renovated during the time of Krishnaraja Wodeyar III (1827). It has a fine quadrangular structure. A statue of Mahishasura with a sword in his right hand and a cobra in the left is a key feature of the temple. Within the temple's sanctum stands a sculpted depiction the Goddess Chamundeshwari. Seated, her right heel is pressed against the lowest of the seven chakras. This cross-legged yogic posture echoes that of the Lord Shiva. It is believed that this powerful yogic posture, if mastered, enables one to have an added dimensional view of the universe. Since the early days of the Maharajas of Mysore, it has been customary that the idol of Goddess Chamundi is carried upon a ceremonially-decorated elephant as part of the celebrations in the annual Dusshera festival. The original shrine is thought to have been built in the 12th century by Hoysala rulers while its tower was probably built by the Vijayanagar rulers of the 17th century. Chamundeshwari temple is considered as a Shakti Peetha and one among 18 Maha Shakti Peethas. It is known as Krouncha Pitham as the region was known in Puranic times as Krouncha Puri. The origin of Shakti Peethas is associated to the mythology of Daksha yaga and Sati's self immolation. According to legend, the demon Mahishasura (king of the city that is currently known as Mysore) was killed by the Goddess Chamundeswari (also Chamundi) after a fierce battle. The Goddess is also called Mahishasura Mardini. The Chamundi Hills are named after the Goddess Chamundeshwari and a temple honouring her is located on the hills. The giant image of Nandi (Bull) is located at the top of Chamundi hills in Mysore. More than 350 years old, this is one of the oldest icons in Mysore. According to Hindu mythology Nandi is considered as the vehicle (mount) of Lord Shiva, the lord of destruction. In front of every Shiva temple, on the court facing the shrine, you can see the image of a Nandi. About 16 feet in height and 24 feet long, this Nandi atop the Chamundi Hills is the third largest in India. The creation of this colossal image is attributed to Dodda Devaraja Wodeyar (1659--1673) on of the illustrious Maharajas of Mysore.