Chamundeshwari Temple

The Chamundeshwari Temple is a Hindu temple located on the top of Chamundi Hills about 13 km from the palace city of Mysore in the state of Karnataka in India.[1] The temple was named after Chamundeshwari or Durga, the fierce form of Shakti, a tutelary deity held in reverence for centuries by Mysore Maharajas.

Chamundeshwari Temple
The gopura
Religion
AffiliationHinduism
DistrictMysore
DeityChamundeshwari
FestivalsNavaratri
Location
LocationChamundi Hill
StateKarnataka
CountryIndia
Location in Karnataka
Geographic coordinates12.272474°N 76.670611°E / 12.272474; 76.670611
Website
Chamundeshwari Temple

Chamundeshwari is called by the people of Karnataka as Naada Devathe which means State Goddess. It is situated at the elevation of around 3300ft from the mean sea level.

It is believed that Goddess Parvati took the form of Mahishasura Mardini(fierce aspect of Durga) to slay the demon king Mahishasura on the top of this hill which was rulled by him.

Krouncha Peetha
Main articles: Daksha Yaga and Shakti Peethas

The Chamundeshwari Temple is considered as a Shakti Peetha and one among the 18 Maha Shakti Peethas. It is known as Krouncha Pitha as the region was known in Puranic times as Krouncha Puri. It is said that the hair of Sati Devi fell here.

Description

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. In 1659, a flight of one thousand steps was built leading up to the 3000-foot summit of the hill.[2] At the temple are several images of Nandi (the bull mount of Shiva). There is a huge granite Nandi on the 700th step on the hill in front of a small Shiva temple a short distance away. This Nandi is over 15 feet high, and 24 feet long and around its neck are exquisite bells.

  • The garden
  • Lakshmi Narayana Swami Temple
  • At night
  • entrance of chamundeswari temple

The temple is famous for the celebrations of festivals like Aashada Shukravara, Navaratri and Ammanavara Vardhanthi. In the month of Ashadha, Fridays are considered particularly auspicious. Lakhs of devotees throng the temple during this occasion. Another festival celebrated during this month is Chamundi Jayanti. This day is celebrated on the anniversary of the consecration of the utsava murthy of the goddess by the Maharaja of Mysore. On this occasion, the goddess's icon is taken around the temple in a golden palanquin.

The most important festival that is celebrated here is Navaratri. Mysore Dasara is celebrated as the state festival of Karnataka, called Nadahabba in Kannada. During Navaratri, the Goddess is decorated in 9 different ways to depict nine different aspects of the goddess. On the 7th day of Navaratri that is Kaalaratri, valuable jewels donated by Maharajas are brought from the District Treasury of Mysuru and decorated to Chamundi.

Another temple is situated at the foothill which is in Utthanahalli called as Jwalamuki Shri Tripurasundari Temple. This goddess is considered the sister of Chamundi who helped her at the battlefield to slay the demon Raktabīja.

References
  1. "Chamundi Hills".
  2. "Chamundeswari Hill Temple - Mysore". Retrieved 12 September 2006.
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