Chamundeshwari Temple,
Chamundi Hills – The Temple
Chamundeshwari Temple is situated on top of the main Chamundeshwari Hill. The hill rises to a height of about 3,489 feet. There is a flight of 1008 ancient steps leading to the temple at the summit of the hill. Also, there is a motorable road takes the devotees to the temple situated at hill top. The route to the Temple is through dense jungles and hence, visitors can view breathtaking natural beauty and is a great bird watching area.
A big colorful idol of the demon Mahishasura can be found at the summit welcoming the devotees. He is holding a sword in his right hand and a cobra in the left hand. There is a small shrine for Anjaneya outside the Temple entrance near to Mahishasura idol. The Temple is facing east with a seven-tiered Rajagopuram. The Temple is a built on a square plan, following Dravidian style of architecture.
There is an idol of Lord Ganesha over the doorway. The silver-plated doorway is decorated with various forms of the Goddess. There is a flagstaff, the footprints of the Goddess and Nandi, facing the sanctum sanctorum immediately after the entrance. There is a small idol of Lord Ganesha on the right-hand side. There is a sculpture of Anjaneya on the wall on the right before flag staff.
There are two Dwarapalakis, Nandini and Kamalini at this entrance. The Temple consists of Mukha Mandapa, Navaranga Mandapa, Antrala and Sanctum. The Antarala has an idol of Ganesha on one side and Bhairava on the other side. There is a large 6 feet idol of Maharaja Krishnaraja Wodeyar III in religious apparels along with his three wives, Ramavilasa, Lakshmivilasa and Krishnavilasa in Antrala. Their names are carved on the pedestals.
Presiding Deity is called as Chamundeshwari / Mahishasura Mardini. She is housed in the sanctum. The idol of main deity Chamundeshwari is said to have been made of gold and the temple doors are made of silver. The idol is in a seated posture with eight arms. She is seated with her right heel pressed against the lowest of the seven chakras. This cross-legged yogic posture echoes the posture of Lord Shiva.
The sanctum is crowned with a Shikara. There are seven golden Kalashas on top of the Shikara. There are many idols of Nandi found throughout the temple. The summit of the Chamundi hills offers a panoramic view of the race course, the Lalitha Mahal palace, Mysore Palace, Karanji and Kukkarahalli Lakes.
Colossal Nandi idol:
There is a colossal Nandi found near 800th step on the hill. This Nandi idol faces a small Shiva Temple. The idol is carved out of a single piece of black granite. This Nandi is over 15 feet high, and 24 feet long. It is considered as the third largest Nandi in India. The Nandi is depicted in sitting position with its left foreleg folded in an about to get up posture. Nandi is depicted with a beautiful necklace of bells on his neck.
Cave Shiva Temple:
Cave Shiva Temple is located next to giant Nandi, situated on the steps leading to Chamundeshwari Temple at hill top. The entrance to the temple is narrow.
Kala Bhairava Temple:
Kala Bhairava Temple can be seen on the steps leading to Chamundeshwari Temple at hill top.
Mahabaleshwar Temple:
For brief details, please refer
below link;
https://hindutemples-india.blogspot.com/2021/05/mahabaleshwar-temple-chamundi-hills-karnataka.html
Lakshmi Narayana Temple:
For brief details, please refer
below link;
Maramma Temple:
Maramma Temple is situated to the
south of Chamundeshwari Temple. The Temple is facing towards
north. Special annual worship is conducted to Maramma in the month of Magha
Bahula.
Lalithadri Palace:
Lalithadri Palace is on the
hill-top in Chamundi
Hills. Lalithadri Palace belongs to the Mysore royal family. It was
built during the reign of Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV. It offers an attractive
bird’s eye view of Mysore city and far off places. The Maharajas were making a
short stay in this Palace whenever they visited the hills.
Jwalamukhi Tripurasundari Temple, Uthanahalli:
For brief details, please refer
below link;
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