Shakti Petam -Chamundeswari Temple Mysore

History:-
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.
Nandi.At the temple are several images of Nandi (the bull mount of Shiva). There is a huge granite Nandi on the 800th 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 temple has a seven story tall ‘Gopura’ decorated with intricate carvings. The deity of the goddess is said to be made of gold and the temple doors of silver.

Many of South India’s famous temples are massive complexes with droves of visitors pouring into multiple entrances day or night. This can be an intimidating sight to a new tourist of India. But Sri Chamundeswari Temple is surprisingly intimate, accessible, relaxed and yet still very interesting. Just minutes (13 kms to be exact) from the Karnataka city of Mysore, the temple sits atop Chamundi Hill, 1062m high. Road signs along the single lane describe Chamundi as one of 8 sacred hills of South India.
A popular haunt for locals who ascend the hill to escape summer heat, panoramic views of the city below can also be seen. Thick haze on some days can inhibit any chance of pointing out Mysore’s famous landmarks.

Chamuni Hill:-

Chamundi Hill is named after Goddess Chamundi who is believed to be the incarnation of Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva. Pilgrims strongly believe that the Goddess helps them to fulfill their needs, thus making the temple a required stop in their lifetime. A few sadhus lingered in the early morning hours of my visit.

3 kms from Mysore city, atop the Chamundi hill is the huge Chamundeshwari temple- the most famous of Mysore temples. A flight of 1000 stone steps from the foothills takes you to the temple at a height of 3000 ft. which is preferred by pilgrims although it is accessible by a motorable road. The temple is a fine quadrangular

structure of Dravidian style with a splendid 40 mt high gopura or tower at the entrance. The silver-plated doorway has the images of the Goddess in different forms. In the sanctum sanctorum is the solid gold idol of the goddess Chamundeshwari, the tutelary deity of the Mysore maharajas and has been held in reverence for centuries. In fact the city itself owes its name to the goddess who vanquished the legendery demon Mahishasura. Special pujas or worhip-services and the rathotsava or car festival that are held here during Dasara attract big crowds.


A 14 km long scenic drive through the winding curves and canopied trees, resplendant with some gorgeous views of Mysore city takes you to this temple as you climb to more than 3000 ft above sea level. If you drive early in the morning, you might catch wisps of cloud floating and as rays of sun break through them, an unseen divine wave will sweep over you and you will get a feel of being doubly blessed. If you drive in the night, the lights of Mysore city and many palaces will give you a feeling as if twinkling stars are being farmed below you while the moon above will seem as if it is in your arms reach!


  About Temple:-


The temple is of a quadrangular structure. Built in Dravidian style, it consists of the Main Doorway, Entrance, Navaranga Hall, Antharala Mantapa, Sanctum Sanctorum, and Prakara. There is a beautiful seven-tier Gopura or pyramidal tower at the entrance and a ‘Vimana’ (small tower) atop the sanctum sanctorum. Atop the ‘Shikara’, the tower at the entrance, are seven golden ‘Kalashas’.

The tower at the entrance has a small image of Lord Ganesha on the doorway. The doorway is silver-plated and has the images of the Goddess in different forms. On either side of the doorway are the images of ‘Dwarapalakas’ or door-keepers. As one enters inside, on the right hand side is a small statue of Lord Ganesha, the remover of all obstacles. After a few steps, there is 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, Nandini and Kamalini.

About Legend:-

Chamundeshwari Temple on Chamundi Hill:-


Major attraction of the temple is the idol of the Chamunda Devi which is said to be made of solid gold. Even the gates of the temple are made of silver. The temple also boasts of a jewel Nakshatra-Malike with 30 Sanskrit shlokas inscribed on it. A 16-foot-high statue of the demon Mahishasura near the temple is another significant feature of Sri Chamundeswari Temple. This is so because Mahishasura was slain by the goddess Chamundeswari (Durga or Parvati) to protect the area. Hence Chamundi Devi is also lovingly know
n as the Goddess of Mysore. The word ‘Chamundi’ means terrible, and this is another name for Parvati, who is in an angry mood to slay the demon.

According to Hindu mythology, Chamundeshwari is a powerful goddess and an aspect of Devi (Mother Nature). She is another manifestation of Goddess Durga, Parvathi.
She was sent forth from Durga’s head to kill the demons Chanda and Munda. After killing the demons she got the contracted names of the demons, Chamunda. Another story tells Chamundeshwari killed Mahisha, the demon king, after a fierce battle, and hence she is also known as Mahishasuramardini.
A statue of Mahishasura with a sword in his right hand and cobra in the left is an attraction here worth seeing.

The main idol of goddess inside the sanctum sanctorium is serene and beautiful. Try to concentrate on the full idol instead of concentrating upon the face only, the way most of us usually do. You will find that the goddess is sitting in a posture wherein the right heel of her pious foot is pressing the lowest chakra of the seven chakras. This posture you will find Lord Shiva sitting. This is also a powerful yogic posture which if mastered enables one to have a third dimensional view of the universe which is mastered by the couple Shiv and Shiva, also known by the name 'trikaldarshi'.