Sri Chamundeshwari Temple

Sri Chamundeshwari temple is the most famous temple in Mysore, a city in the Southern state Karnataka. It is located on the top of Chamundi hill which is about 3,489 ft. above sea level and situated at a distance of 13 kms from Mysore. Named after the Goddess Chamundeshwari or Durga, this temple is considered as one of the Shakti Peethas. It is known as Krouncha Pitham.

The temple stands as a beautiful example of the Dravidian architecture. It has a quadrangular structure. The temple consists of Main doorway, Entrance, Navranga Hall, Antharala Mantapa, Sanctorum and Prakara. A graceful seven-tier Gopura or pyramidal tower stands at the entrance and a Vimana which is a small tower, atop the sanctum sanctorum. On the ‘Shikara’, the tower at the entrance, are seven golden ‘Kalashas’. A small statue of Lord Ganesha stands in the doorway. The doorway is silver-plated and has the images of Goddess Durga in different configurations on it. After climbing a few steps one sees a flagstaff, the footprints of the Goddess and a small statue of Nandi, facing the sanctum sanctorum.On the right side, before approaching the flag staff, there is an image of ‘Anjaneya’, attached to the wall. On either side of this entrance are two Dikpalakas. In the sanctum sanctorum is the stone statue of The Divine Goddess that is decorated every day and is worshipped by a number of priests. The ‘Mahisha Mardhini’ rests on a throne with ‘Ashta Bhujas’ i.e. 8 shoulders. According to the local legend, the image was established by sage Markandeya and hence it dates back to an old era. In the room in front of the sanctum sanctorum, there is a magnificent 6-foot statue of Maharaja Krishnaraja Wodeyar III.

The magnetism for the devotees also lies in the Nandi statue, apart from the Divine Mother’s grace. Nandi (bull), mount of Lord Shiva, is beautifully sculpted into a black granite statue which is 16 feet tall. This Nandi of Mysore is the 3^rd largest Nandi in India. The decorative pendent bells around its neck are exquisite.