Chamundeshwari Temple: Timings, Entry Fee, & Travel Tips

Chamundeshwari Temple: Have you been to Mysore in Karnataka? If not, then you are missing something exceptional in an architectural marvel.

When you reach the royal city of Mysore, the place that attracts you the most, along with the Mysore Palace, is the temple of Maa Chamundeshwari.

This Chamundeshwari temple is situated on the Chamunda hill, 1000 meters above sea level.

The temple is 13 kilometres away from Mysore city and is about 1065 meters above sea level and the construction of a temple at such a height is a wonder in itself.

Apart from the magnificent architecture, the Maa Chamundeshwari Temple in Mysore also has great mythological significance.

This temple is dedicated to Maa Chamunda, a form of Maa Durga. It is one of the 51 Shaktipeeths and 18 Mahashaktipeeths.

It is believed that Maa Shakti’s hair had fallen here, and like other Shaktipeeths, Bhairav always protects it.

With 99Pandit, let us discover the significance of the Maa Chamundeshwari temple in Mysore.

Along with this, we will also learn the Darshan timings of the temple, its entry fee, and how you can get there easily. So, without further ado, let’s get started.

Timing of Chamundeshwari Temple

The Chamundeshwari Temple in Mysore also has fixed visiting hours for devotees and tourists. The following are the Devi Chamundeshwari Temple Darshan timings:

Darshana and Pooja: 7:30 AM to 2:00 PM, 3:30 PM to 6:00 PM, and 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM.
Abhisheka: 6:00 AM to 7:30 AM and 6:00 PM to 7:30 PM.
Abhisheka on Fridays: 5:00 AM to 6:30 AM.

In addition to that, the temple offers free meals, Dasoha, to the devotees daily between 12:30 PM and 2:30 PM.

Here is an elaborate table of Chamundeshwari Temple timings in Mysore:

Activity	Regular Timings	Friday Timings
Darshana and Pooja	7:30 AM – 2:00 PM	No change
	3:30 PM – 6:00 PM	No change
	7:30 PM – 9:00 PM	No change
Abhisheka	6:00 AM – 7:30 AM	5:00 AM – 6:30 AM
	6:00 PM – 7:30 PM	No change
Dasoha (Free Meals)	12:30 PM – 2:30 PM	No change

These Chamundeshwari Temple Mysore timings have been crafted so that the devotees can schedule their visit effectively.

The Chamundeshwari Temple timings in Mysore have been planned to support different rituals and make all devotees experience something pleasant.

Overview of Chamundeshwari Temple

The famous Chamundeshwari Temple in Mysore is situated on the Chamundi Hills and can be seen from every corner of the city.

It is a major religious place for Hindus. This temple is dedicated to Maa Chamuda, a form of Maa Durga.

The fierce form of ‘Shakti‘ is ‘Chamundi‘ or ‘Durga‘. She is the slayer of the demons ‘Chanda‘ and ‘Munda‘ as well as ‘Mahishasur‘.

Chamundeshwari is known to the people of Karnataka as Nada Devi, which means “State Goddess.”

The temple is considered to be a symbol of the killing of the demon Mahishasura by Maa Chamunda. There is a tall statue of Mahishasura Chamundi Hill, and after that, there is a temple.

This temple (Chamundeshwari Temple) was built in the 12th century. It is also considered a Shakti Peeth because the hair of Maa Sati fell here. In South India, it is also known as Krocha Peetham.

History of Chamundeshwari Temple in Mysore

The temple has been standing tall for centuries and was built in the Dravidian style of architecture.

The original part of the present temple was built in the 12th century by the rulers of the Hoysala dynasty.

The present temple was built in the 16th century by the Vijayanagara rulers and renovated in the 19th century by the King of Mysore.

The total height of this 7-storey temple is about 40 meters, which is an excellent example of Dravidian architecture.

The 1000 steps to the temple were constructed by Dadda Devraja Wodeyar in the year 1659.

The place where this temple was built was known as “Kraunchapuri” in ancient times, and even today, this Shaktipeeth is known as “Kraunchapeeth” in South India.

This temple is more than 1000 years old and was once the Kulmandir of the dynasty of Mysore, where the Kuldevi was worshipped every year by the King of Mysore.

First, the temple was governed by the rulers of Mysore, and it received its current shape owing to the extensions provided by the Maharajas of Mysore.

Architectural Significance of Chamundeshwari Temple

This temple was built in the Dravidian style of architecture and is in the shape of a quadrangle.

The sanctum sanctorum of the Chamundeshwari Temple houses the soul of the temple, the embodiment of the divine deity.

Adorned with intricate artwork and devotion, it connects the mortal with the ethereal.

Above it, the ‘Vimana,’ a graceful little tower, is a testimony to human creativity and devotion.

On the way to this temple, you see a huge statue of Nandi made of black graphite, which represents the bull mount of Lord Shiva.

As you travel inside the Chamundeshwari Temple, a huge statue of Krishnaraja Wodeyar III comes into view.

His image overlooks the sanctum sanctorum, surrounded by the statues of his three wives – Ramavilasa, Lakshmivilasa, and Krishnavilasa- a testimony to his devotion and legacy.

Within the sanctum sanctorum of the Chamundeshwari Temple, Goddess Chamundeshwari is carved in stone.

With eight arms and a seated posture, she radiates power and grace, attracting all to avail her grace.

The majestic Nandi statue is more than 15 ft. high and has a 24-ft. long neck, which is encircled by beautiful bells.

A ‘Mahishasura’ idol tells the story of valour and victory. Nearby, the ‘Chamundi Village’ beckons with its wonders – Mahabaladri, Narayanaswamy temples and idols of Mahishasura and Nandi.

Besides the grand figures of the Gods, you will be able to see 7 “kalashas at the top of the tower. The grand seven-tier tower is called the ‘gopura’ or ‘gopuram.’

The beautiful entrance of the temple draws much attention from the visitors as it consists of silver gates, which give a glimpse of the royal past.

Mythological Story Related to the Chanmundeshwari Temple

According to the legend, Mata Sati, daughter of King Daksha, married Lord Shiva over her father’s objections.

When King Daksha later arranged a Yajna, everyone was invited except Lord Shiva and Maa Sati.

Adamant to go for her father’s Yajna, she went solo despite objections by Lord Shiva. She was taken aback by being disrespected and insulted by her father.

Having listened to insults hurled at her husband, Lord Shiva, her father, she felt angry.

Blaming herself as a cause for her husband’s disrespect, so incensed regarding the wrongdoing by her father, she burned herself by jumping into the Havan.

Mounting and angry over the death of Sati, Lord Shiva grasped the burnt body on his shoulders and started the tandava.

The Gods were frantic and prayed to Lord Vishnu to step in as Shiva lost interest in his tasks and obligations.

The Gods and the Goddesses feared that Shiva would destroy the universe in his rage. So, Lord Vishnu intervened, and with his chakra, he severed the body of Sati into multiple pieces.

The body parts of Sati were dropped in many locations, and wherever the body parts dropped, those locations were turned into holy shrines by devotees.

The sacred sites with the body parts of Sati have now been turned into temples by devotees over time. The temples are now referred to as Shaktipeethas.

The Chamundeshwari temple is one of the 18 Maha Shaktipeethas. The hair of Sati Devi is said to have fallen here when Shiva, infuriated with rage and grief, took her charred body on his shoulders.

The Chamundeshwari Devi Shaktipeetha is also referred to as Krouncha Pitham, for in ancient times, the spot was called Krouncha Puri.

Second Story

According to another mythological story, the goddess the demon king Mahishasura on this Chamundi Hills.

Once upon a time, this land was the home top a buffalo-headed man named Mahishasura, who was blessed by Lord Brahma that no human could kill him.

Mahishasura, with this boon, started tormenting mortals and gods. The gods realised that Mahishasura would die only at the hands of a woman due to the blessing he received from Lord Brahma.

All the gods of heaven lent their abilities to create Mahadevi, who fought Mahishasur with Ashtabhuja and a lion as her vehicle.

With these powers and abilities, the goddess assumed the form of Chamundeshwari. Goddess Chamundeshwari’s battle with Mahishasur lasted for ten days.

Mahishasura was eventually defeated and killed. This victory is celebrated all over India as the Dussehra festival.

Third Legend

According to the third story, after the death of Mahishasura, two demons, Shumbh and Nishumbh, were enchanted by the beauty of Goddess Durga and requested her to marry them.

When the mother rebuked them, they sent their warriors, Dhumralochan and Raktbeej, who were killed by Goddess Durga and Goddess Kali, respectively.

Then, they sent their brave general, Chand-Mund, to kill Goddess Durga, also known as Chamunda or Raktkali. This form of her is also named after this name.

Festivals Celebrated in Chamundeshwari Temple

The festivals celebrated at the Chamundeshwari temple are colourful and festive events.

The pomp and magnificence of the Mysore Dasara festival are unmatched, with rich processions, cultural events, and religious rituals.

The Chamundeshwari Rathotsava (Chariot Festival) is another important event celebrated with great enthusiasm and pomp.

Other significant religious festivals, such as Navaratri and Deepavali, have special celebrations at the temple, with traditional music and dance performances.

Such festivals gather local population participation and tourist attendees from throughout the nation, leading to cultural tourism.

Entry Fee of Chamundeshwari Temple in Mysore

The temple is especially renowned for being associated with the Wodeyars of Mysore, who have been devout followers of the goddess.

Goddess Chamundeshwari is worshipped as the guardian deity of Mysore, and the temple is an intrinsic part of the cultural landscape of the city.

The temple gets quite a number of Hindu pilgrims throughout the year and is one of the 18 Shakti Peethas in the nation, a place where it is said the hair of Sati fell off.

The historic shrine is held to have been constructed by the Hoysala dynasty of the 12th century and, later, by the Vijayanagara Empire in the 17th century.

If we talk about the entry fee for the temple, then it is free for everyone. There is no entry for general darshan.

But if you want to do VIP Darshan, then you have to pay. Here is the detailed entry fee for the temple:

• General Entry: Free
• Special Entry: ₹100 per person (for quick darshan)
• VIP Darshan: ₹300 per person (for faster access)

Travel Tips: How To Reach There

To reach Chamundeshwari Temple, any train running between Bangalore Railway Station and Mysore can be taken.

Shatabdi Express connects Mysore to Chennai. Karnataka Road Transport Corporation buses run from Mysore to various states.

Bangalore can be reached by air from all major cities of the country. One can go to Mysore by rail or road.

Hotels, lodges, Dharamshala, and comfortable guest houses are available for people to stay in.

Here is a detailed description of how you can easily travel to Chamundeshwari Temple Mysore by three means of transportation:

1. By Plane

Bangalore is the nearest airport, located 160 km away. Tourists can drive to Chamundi from Bangalore or take the railway to Mysore.

2. By Train

As told earlier, you can also choose a train to reach Mysore. The nearest railway station to Chamundi is Mysore. It is just 13 km away.

3. By Car

Chamundi Hills is easily accessible by road from Mysore and Nanjangud. Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation buses run every 20 minutes. Alternatively, one can take a taxi or drive on one’s own.

Interesting Facts About Chamundeshwari Temple

1. The temple is a residence place for different Gods. As you enter the temple, you can see the idol of Lord Ganesha. Lord Ganesha is believed to be the remover of all obstacles. As you move further ahead, you will find a statue of Nandi just in front of the sanctum sanctorum. Just very near to the holy chamber, you can also find an image of Lord Hanuman.

2. Locals are of the view that by ascending the temple steps, individuals can shed their past sins. Ascending so many steps to the temple top is extremely demanding, and if you can reach the top yourself, it will be an incredible feat in itself.

3. The Nandi murti in Chamundeshwari Devi Temple is the biggest in India.

4. The temple was believed to have been constructed nearly 600 years ago. In 1573, Chamaraja Wadiyar was praying when he was hit by lightning, and it almost burned his hair. From that time on, he was referred to by the people as Bald Chamaraja Wadiyar.

5. It is said, and rather than that, it seems true that he was rescued by the Goddess herself since he was religiously praying to her, or else how can one remain alive after such a gruesome incident?

Conclusion

In conclusion, the Chamundeshwari temple in Mysore is a major religious place for Hindu pilgrims.

Thousands of devotees and tourists come to this temple every day. This temple is located on the Chamundi in the state of Karnataka.

This temple is dedicated to Chamundeshwari Devi. Chamundeshwari Devi is considered to be a form of Goddess Durga.

This temple, located on Chamundi Hill, is supposed to be a symbol of the killing of the demon Mahishasura by Goddess Durga.

The best time to visit this magnificent temple is during October and March. You should see the temple during winter when the weather is nice and suitable for sightseeing.

The temple is particularly busy during the Dussehra Festival, when special pujas and rituals are conducted to worship the goddess.

I hope you enjoyed reading this article. We will meet again with such an interesting blog later.

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