Chamundi Temple
Location :
Located on top of chamundi hills is this famous chamundi temple which
is built in 12th century.
About Chamundi Temple :
The Chamundi Temple was a small shrine of Kali and has grown into a big
temple over the last few centuries owing to the importance given and
expansions made by the Mysore Maharajas. In old times, human and animal
sacrifices were common at this temple, but were stopped during the 18th
century. The temple is a fine quadrangular structure. The Gopura or
tower at the entrance is a beautiful structure in Dravidian style with a
small figure of Ganesha on the doorway. The silver-plated doorway has
the images of the Goddess in different forms. As one enters through the
tower's main gate, on the right side is a small figure of Ganesha, the
remover of all obstacles.
After climbing a few steps, there is the temple flagstaff,
the footprints of the Goddess and a small figure of Nandi, facing the
sanctum sanctorum. In the sanctum sanctorum is the stone image of the
Goddess, decorated every day according to religious traditions and
worshipped by a number of priests. The Mysore rulers have made several
valuable gifts to their family deity. In the cell in front of the
sanctum sanctorum, there is a beautiful 6 feet statue of Krishnaraja
Wodeyar III. He is standing with folded hands in his religious dress,
with his three wives, their names engraved on the pedestals. Krishnaraja
Wodeyar repaired this shrine in 1827 and built the huge tower on it. He
also presented it with a huge wooden chariot, Simha Vahana, used now
also during the car festival or Rathotsava. Atop the sanctum sanctorum
is a small tower and is called Vimana, which can be seen from outside,
from behind the temple. During the 10 days of Dasara festival, special
worship are conducted in the temple premises, besides holding chanting
of Vedas and music performances. After the Dasara celebrations, on the
auspicious Ashwayuja Pournime, a Rathotsava (car festival) takes place
during the Jathra atop the hill, followed by the Theppotsava (floating
festival) in the night. Both the celebrations attract big crowds
Additional Information :
Tuesdays and Fridays are said to be auspicious for visiting the temple.
