Chamundeshwari Temple in Karnataka

Chamundeshwari Temple in Karnataka

Shri Chamundeshwari Temple at Mysore in Karnataka state is very elegant at its architectural structure situated about 13 km from Mysore city on the top of Chamundi Hills. The temple of Chamundeshwari constitutes about one thousand steps to the hill. Chamundeshwari Temple belongs to 12th century date built by Hoysalas while the temple tower built by Vijayanagar kings which has 300 years old history.

The Chamundeshwari Temple enshrines goddess Durga as Chamundi form of her. Earlier the hill was called as Mahabala Parvata but due to the deity Chamundi the hill named as Chamundi hill. The Chamundeshwari Temple has fine quadrangular structure of Dravidian style of architecture. The temple of Chamundeshwari has seven storeys of about 40 mt high gopuras at the entrance with exquisite carvings.

The temple has a quadrangular structure with Gopura at its entrance. The sanctum in the temple has a gold idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari with silver doors and the goddess is decorated and worshipped by a number of priests everyday. The silver plated doorway has the images of the goddess in many different forms. There is demon Mahishasura statue located near the temple which of about 16 foot height. And the Chamundeshwari temple has many Nandi images. The temple has a small statue of Lord Ganesha on the doorway. On top of the sanctum sanctorum is a small tower or Vimana that can be seen from outside the temple.

History of Chamundeshwari Temple:

Chamundeshwari Temple as it belongs to 12thcentury was a small temple then later it was built as a huge temple by Hoysalas. In ancient days human and animal sacrifices were made regularly at this temple, but was stopped in the 18th century. When Mysore Maharajas ruled the state they made expansions to the Chamundeshwari Temple and it has become a big temple in Karnataka.

The history behind the Chamundeshwari Temple is that goddess Chamundeshwari killed demon Mahishasura at the top of Chamundi hill and saved Mysore. And so goddess Chamundeshwari is referred as the goddess of Mysore along with the name of the city of Mysore.

Now this Chamundeshwari Temple is maintained by Mysore wadayars the royal family in Mysore and they perform specil poojas during Dasara festival and offer rathotsava to the goddess on this festival.