Chamundeshwari Temple

The Hoysala Dynasty is supposed to have built the original shrine in the 12th century, while the Vijayanagara Empire's rulers are considered to have built the tower in the 17th century. A thousand-step stairway was erected in 1659 to reach the pinnacle of the hill, which stands at 3000-feet. Several images of Nandi may be found at the temple (the bull mount of Shiva). On the 700th step of the hill, there is a massive granite Nandi in front of a modest Shiva temple a little distance away. This Nandi is approximately 15 feet tall and 24 feet long, with magnificent bells decorating its neck. Festivals like Ashada Shukravara (ಆಶಾಡಾಶುಕ್ರವಾರ), Navaratri, and Ammanavara Vardhanthi (ಅಮ್ಮನವರವರ್ಧಂತಿ) are celebrated at the temple. Fridays are regarded particularly auspicious in the month of Ashadha. Thousands of devotees attend the temple that day. Chamundi Jayanti is another celebration that takes place during this month. This day is commemorated on the anniversary of the Maharaja of Mysore ordaining the goddess's Utsava Moorti. The goddess's idol is carried around the temple in a gilded palanquin on this occasion. Navaratri is the most important event observed here. Mysuru Dasara is the state celebration of Karnataka, and is known in Kannada as Nada habba (). The idol is decked in nine various ways during Navaratri to reflect the goddess's nine various characteristics, known as Navadurgas. Valuable gems donated by Maharajas are brought to the temple on the 7th day of Navaratri, which is devoted to the goddess Kalaratri, and are iven to the temple to decorate the idol. Jwalamalini Sri Tripura Sundari Temple, located at the foothill in Utthanahalli, is another temple worth seeing.This goddess is Chamundeshwari's sister, and she assisted her in slaying the demon Raktabja on the battlefield. Architecture The temple is built in a quadrangular shape. The Main Doorway, Entrance, Navaranga Hall, Antharala Mantapa, Sanctum Sanctorum, and Prakara are all built-in Dravidian architecture. The entryway has a stunning seven-tier Gopura or pyramidal tower, and the sanctum sanctorum has a ‘Vimana' (little tower). Seven golden ‘Kalashas' sit at the top of the ‘Shikara,' the entry tower. In 1827 A.D., Krishnaraja Wodeyar III renovated the shrine and constructed the current magnificent tower at the entrance (Gopura). Krishnaraja Wodeyar, an ardent devotee of the Mother Goddess, was blessed by the Goddess and presented a ‘Simha-vahana' (a lion-shaped vehicle) as well as other valuable animal vehicles and jewellery to the temple.Even today, automobiles are employed for religious processions on special occasions. On the doorway of the entry tower is a little picture of Lord Ganesha. The Goddess is shown in several shapes on the silver-plated entryway. The images of 'Dwarapalakas,' or door-keepers, are on either side of the entry. As one enters, there is a little statue of Lord Ganesha, the remover of all obstacles, on the right-hand side. A flagstaff, the Goddess's footprints, and a miniature statue of Nandi face the sanctum sanctorum after a few steps.An image of ‘Anjaneya' is mounted to the wall on the right side, before approaching the flag staff. Nandini and Kamalini, two Dikpalakas, stand on either side of this entrance. • Mahishasura Statue: Visitors to Chamundi Hills are welcomed by a statue of Mahishasura, who is wielding a snake and a sword. Goddess Durga destroyed this terrifying demon to provide relief to the people. Mahishasura Mardini is another name for Goddess Durga (Goddess who assassinated Mahishasura) • Nandi Statue: Visitors can view a magnificent monolithic statue of Nandi, 15 feet tall and 25 feet wide, complete with rich decorations around the neck, on their journey to Chamundi Hill. It is one of the largest of its kind. The Nandi statue is white in colour, but due to oil deposits, it often appears black. • View Point: Chamundi Hill provides a bird's eye perspective of the city of Mysuru down.