The Chamundeshwari Shaktipeeth is a Hindu temple situated on the highest point of Chamundi Slopes around 13 km from the palace city of Mysuru in Karnataka, India. The temple was named after Chamundeshwari or, the savage type of Shakti, a tutelary god held in respect for a really long time by the Maharaja of Mysuru.

Chamundeshwari Shaktipeeth Temple on top of the Chamundi hills is the most famous temple in Mysore since Goddess Chamundi or Chamundeshwari is the presiding deity of Mysore. The Chamundeshwari Shaktipeeth Temple is considered a Shakti Peetha and one among the 18 Maha Shakti Peethas. It is known as Krouncha Pitham as the region was known in Puranic times as Krouncha Puri.

In Karnataka, the goddess Chamundeshwari is referred to as Naada Devathe. It is accepted that she shields individuals of the state from evil. This temple has been around for more than 1,000 years. The goddess used to have a small shrine at first, but over time it has grown into a large temple.

Story Behind Chamundeshwari Shaktipeeth

The goddess of Dakshayani, Sati, Parvati, or Durga—Hinduism’s most important woman and most powerful deity—is called Shakti. Durga Devi, Mahakali, and Gowri are the three main manifestations of Shakti, the power goddess. She is Adi Shakti’s avatar.

Sati was the Prajapati Daksha’s daughter, and she married Lord Shiva despite Her father’s wishes. Prajapati Daksha once put together a massive yagya, but he didn’t call his daughter and son-in-law. Sati was very saddened by Her father’s actions. When she got there, her father ignored the Sati and insulted her. She could not bear the insult of his husband (Lord Shiva) and she jumped into the fire of Yagya and committed suicide. She passed away, but her body didn’t burn. Lord Shiva had taken His Virabhadra Rupa out of rage. Daksha’s head was cut off by him, but in the end, He forgave him by bringing him back to life.

Lord Shiva, devastated, had taken Sati’s body and wandered the universe. Finally, Lord Vishnu used His Chakra to break Sati’s body into pieces. Each body part transformed into Shakti Pitha. The temple had emerged where the body part had fallen to the ground. In order to safeguard the Shakti Pitha, Lord Shiva created 51 Bhairava for each one.

It is regarded as one of the 51 Shaktipeethas where Lord Vishnu used His “Sudarshana Chakra” to break up Devi Parvati’s (alias Devi Sati’s) hair during the “tandava” (rampage) of Lord Shiva, the beloved husband of Devi Parvati.

A sacred location known as “Trimuta Kshetra,” which is surrounded by eight hills, is mentioned in the “Skanda Purana” and other ancient texts. The Chamundi Hills, one of the eight hills, are located on the western side. In the prior days, the Slope was distinguished as ‘Mahabaladri’ to pay tribute to God Shiva who dwells in the ‘Mahabaleswara Sanctuary’. The oldest temple on the hills is here.

History of Chamundeshwari Shaktipeeth

According to legend, the Hoysala dynasty’s rulers constructed Chamundeshwari Shaktipeeth Temple in the 12th century. However, Maharaja Wodeyar of Mysore expanded this temple in 1399 due to the temple’s goddess’s popularity. The three dynasties—the Hoysalas, Vijayanagara, and Mysore rulers—are credited with expanding this Chamundeshwari Mata temple.

As per old records about this sanctuary, the sanctuary was worked by the leaders of the Hoysala dynasty, the pinnacles in the sanctuary were worked by the Vijayanagara rulers and the sanctuary was extended by the Mysore rulers.

The architecture of Chamundeshwari Shaktipeeth

The Chamundeshwari Shaktipeeth Temple was constructed in the Dravidian architectural style. At the temple’s entrance, a small idol of Lord Ganesha, seven golden urns, and a beautiful pyramidal tower with seven steps have been installed. A tower has been constructed above the sanctum sanctorum of the temple, which houses the mother’s idol. The stone icons of Master Ganesha and Nandi the Bull are additionally situated on the temple premises. This temple is implicitly the highest point of the mountain, to arrive there one needs to move around 800 stages.

The temple was constructed in the Dravidian architectural style. Before entering the temple, a massive Mahishasura statue has already been erected. which shows the demon holding a large snake in one hand and a sword in the other. In addition, a massive Nandi statue greets visitors ascending the stairs to the temple.

This single stone was used to build this 15-foot-tall Nandi. The main parts of the temple are the Navrang Hall, Antar Mandapa, and Prakar. The Vimanam was built on top of the temple’s sanctum sanctorum, which has seven golden urns on top.

Facts about Chamundeshwari Shaktipeeth

• Chamundeshwari Shaktipeeth Temple is dedicated to Goddess Durga, one of the Maha Shaktipeeth temples.
• Goddess Chamundeshwari is known as Naada Devathe by the people of Karnataka. It is believed that she protects the people of the state from evil.
• This temple has over 1,000 years of history. Initially, there was a small shrine of the goddess and over the centuries it has turned into a big temple.
• Chamundeshwari Devi is the tutelary deity of Maharajas of Mysuru and is also the presiding deity of Mysuru.
• The idol of the Goddess installed in the main sanctum sanctorum of the temple is made of pure gold.
• There is a tower at the entrance of the temple which has a small image of Lord Ganesha. The doorway is silver-plated and is covered with images of Goddess in different forms.
• The silver-plated temple doorway has images of the Goddess in various forms.
• There is a huge granite Nandi on the 700th step on the hill in front of a small Shiva temple a short distance away.
• In 1659, a staircase of one thousand steps was built leading up to the 3000-foot summit of the hill.
• On either side of the doorway, there are images of door-keepers and after a few steps; there are footprints of the Goddess.

Festivals In Chamundeshwari Shaktipeeth

• Durga Puja. (Winter) – Devotees celebrate Navaratri at this temple in the month of Ashwin (Sep-Oct).
• Navaratri. (Summer) – They celebrate other Navaratri in the fortnight of the Chaitra (March-April). Every nine days they worship Navadurga (nine Durgas).
• Diwali – Diwali is one of the most admired and auspicious festivals in the town.
• Mahashivratri– A grand fair is organized at the temple during the occasion of Maha Shivratri.
• In the month of Ashadha, Fridays are considered particularly auspicious. Lakhs of devotees throng the temple during this occasion.
• Another festival celebrated during Ashadha is Chamundi Jayanti.

How to Reach Chamundeshwari Shaktipeeth

The Chamundeshwari Shaktipeeth Temple is a Hindu temple located on the top of Chamundi Hills about 13 km from the palace city of Mysuru in the state of Karnataka in India.

By Air: Kempegowda International Airport in Bangalore is nearest to the temple which is approximately 219 km.

By Railway: The nearest rail station is Mysore Junction which is around 13 kilometres away from the temple.

Nearest Bus Station/Cabs: There are regular Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) buses to the hills at intervals of less than 20 minutes from Mysore.