CHAMUNDI HILL

This hill overlooks the city of Mysore. Erected at the top, at an altitude of 1,062 m, the 2,000 year old Chamundeswari temple is dedicated to Chamundi the patron goddess of the royal family. The access to the top of the hill can be done by the ancient staircase which counts 1 008 steps! Don't worry, it is also possible to take a bus (line 201) or an auto-rickshaw to get to the top.

Chamundeshwari Temple. The temple is dedicated to the goddess Chamundi, better known as Durga. She is the cruel counterpart of the patron goddess. She fights evil with her anger, shows violence to obtain freedom and uses her destructive power to generate creation. The sanctuary dates from the 12th century and the Hoysala Empire. The gopuram was built in the 17th century during the Vijayanagar empire. The idol is represented in a yoga posture supposed to increase the dimensional vision of the universe: it presses its 7th chakra with its heel. The idol is exhibited on the back of an elephant through the streets of Mysore on the occasion of Dussehra.

Adhyathimika Museum. This small museum also called Godly Museum is located right next to the parking lot (free and open every day). It is managed by the theological society Brahma Kumaris. It gives a special view of the history of mankind and the fate of the souls who indulge in vice..

Sri Nandi Temple. Below the summit is a Nandi, the vehicle of the god Shiva, carved in a monolithic block 4.8 m high and 7.6 m long.