• About Us
  • Profile
  • Feedback

Karnataka.com

  • Home
  • Education
  • Real-Estate
  • Government
  • Tourism
  • Recipe And Food
  • Restaurants
  • Festivals
  • Industry
  • ಕನ್ನಡ

Home » Mysore » Chamundi Hills – Of Scenic Beauty and Lore

Chamundi Hills – Of Scenic Beauty and Lore

September 4, 2019 by Raggi Mudde

In India, just as a person’s name usually has a symbolic meaning, names given to places also have a meaning behind them. Chamundi Hills in Karnataka are named after the Goddess Chamundeshwari.

The hills lie at a height of about 1000 meters above sea level and are 13 km east of Mysore. The Chamundeshwari Temple dedicated to the Goddess after whom the hills are named is the highlight of this place.

Chamundi Hills , sightseeing Mysore, Chamundeshwari temple on Chamundi hills, mysore. Photographer Sanjay Acharya
Chamundeshwari Temple

The Chamundi Legend

According to popular legends, many years ago, a buffalo demon named Mahishasura was wreaking havoc in heaven and earth.  He had been gifted a boon by Brahma that he could be killed by no man.

For this reason, Mahishasura was slowly winning every battle he started. The Gods found a loophole to Brahma’s boon and goddess Durga was given divine powers to make her stronger than Mahishasura.

Goddess Chamundeshwari is a form of Durga. With her new powers and a lion as her vehicle, she fought Mahishasura atop a hill for ten days and finally killed him.

 In her honor, the hill was named as Chamundi Hill. This day is celebrated throughout India as Dasara and symbolizes the victory of good over evil.

Sightseeing In and Around Chamundi Hills

The Chamundeshwari Temple

near Mysore, chamundi hills, mysore, mysore sightseeing
Mahishasura Mardhini Statue

The Chamundeshwari Temple is the biggest attraction of this area. This temple sits on the top of the main Hill and can be reached by a series of 1008 stone stairs. The temple houses a statue of Mahishasura with a sword in one hand and a cobra in the other.

A sculpted statue of Chamundeshwari sits in the temple’s sanctum. The Goddess is portrayed in a cross-legged posture with her right heel pressed against the 7th chakra. It is believed that anyone who can master this yogic posture will have a deeper insight into the universe.

The Nandi Bull

Nandi On Chamundi Hills. Copyright Karnataka.com
Nandi

This is one of the oldest icons of Mysuru. Halfway up the hill is a statue of a bull. This is Nandi, Shiva’s vehicle. The statue is 7.6 m long and 4.9 m tall. It is carved out of single black granite rock. This status was commissioned by Dodda Devaraja Wodeyar and portrays the Nandi bull in a seated position with the left foreleg folded upwards as if the bull were about to get up.

Mahabaleswara Temple

This is the oldest temple on the Chamundi hills. It dates back to 950AD. Before the Chamundi temple became popular, the Chamundi hills were called Mahabaladri in honor of this temple.

The temple features workmanship of three dynasties including the Hoysalas and the Cholas. It houses images of the Sapta Matrikas, Parvathi, Nataraja, Bhairava, Bhiikshatana Shiva and Vishnu. It also has statues of Mahishamardhini and Dakshina Murthy.

Godly Museum

The Godly Museum is a divinity themed museum located opposite the Chamundi hills bus stop. It has a series of spiritual paintings on display that stimulates self-introspection.

Kishkinda Moolika Bonsai Garden

Kishkindha moolika bonsai garden, Mysore
Kishkinda Moolika Bonsai Garden

The Kishkinda Moolika Bonsai Garden has a collection of over 450 miniature trees. It was established in 1986 and is spread over 4 acres. The garden also houses a deer park.

Trekking In The Chamundi Hills

The top of the hill offers a panoramic view of the Mysore Palace, smaller temples and the Karanji Lake. This is one of the reasons why the hills are very popular with trekkers.

The steps are easier to climb than going cross country though the latter offers beautiful views at every step of the way. The best time to start a trek up the hills is in the early morning.

How To Reach Chamundi Hills

By Road

Chamundi hills are well connected by road to Mysore and Nanjangud. One may choose to travel by car, taxi or bus. Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation from Mysore to the Hills run every 20 minutes.

By Rail

Mysore is the closest railway station. This is at a distance of 13 km. Buses and taxis ply regularly to the hills from here.

By Air

Tourists coming in from other parts of Karnataka and India can fly into Bangalore. From Bangalore, Chamundi Hills is about 160 km.

Also See

  • Temples in Karnataka
  • Basaralu Temple
  • Near By Mysore
  • The Jwalamukhi Tripura Sundari Temple

Filed Under: Mysore Tagged With: Chamundi Hills, Mysore, Mysore Dasara, temples, temples in mysore

Social

Top Posts & Pages

  • Bangalore Metro – Routes and Fares
    Bangalore Metro – Routes and Fares
  • Online FIR Bangalore And E-lost Report App - Everything You Should Know
    Online FIR Bangalore And E-lost Report App - Everything You Should Know
  • Kotilingeshwara Temple, Kolar
    Kotilingeshwara Temple, Kolar
  • Pay Your Bangalore Property Tax online
    Pay Your Bangalore Property Tax online
  • Bull Temple, Bangalore – An Architectural Wonder
    Bull Temple, Bangalore – An Architectural Wonder
  • Vittala Temple, Hampi – An Architectural Wonder
    Vittala Temple, Hampi – An Architectural Wonder
  • Bangalore Police Helpline Number
    Bangalore Police Helpline Number
  • Sri Mahalakshmi Temple in Goravanahalli
    Sri Mahalakshmi Temple in Goravanahalli
  • Best Schools In Bangalore (10+2) 2024 As Ranked By IIRF
    Best Schools In Bangalore (10+2) 2024 As Ranked By IIRF
  • E Khata Online Issuance System For Streamlining Property Documentation In Bangalore
    E Khata Online Issuance System For Streamlining Property Documentation In Bangalore

Recent Posts

  • Gruha Jyothi Scheme, Karnataka. Source UnsplashGruha Jyothi Scheme: How to avail the benefits if you change your house 
    May 15, 2025
    The Gruha Jyothi scheme is one of the five guarantee […]
  • Ice Apples in Bangalore. Source VD Photography, UnsplashCool But Costly: Ice Apples In Bangalore See A Price Hike!
    May 12, 2025
    Ice Apples, or Thaati Nungu, Bangalore’s summer […]
  • How to Register Marriages Online in Karnataka in Just One Day 
    May 10, 2025
    Marriage registration certificate is one of the […]
  • Chandramouleshwara temple, Hosanagara, Shimoga. Source Sri SamsthanaChandramouleshwara Temple, Hosanagara, Shimoga – A Unique Architectural Marvel
    May 8, 2025
    Chandramouleshwara temple, Hosanagara, Shimoga of the […]
  • Karnataka SSLC Result 2024Karnataka SSLC Result 2025
    May 2, 2025
    The Karnataka Secondary Education Examination Board […]

Tags

Bangalore bangalore schools Chikmagalur Engineering Colleges Hampi sightseeing Mangalore Mysore personalities Resorts schools Shimoga temples Trekking VTU waterfalls
ImmigrationWorld | Airport Commute | NGO/Charity
Home | Media | Personalities | FAQ | About Us | Feedback
Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Disclaimer | Sitemap
Copyright © 2025 karnataka.com.
 

Loading Comments...