Chamundeshwari Temple

Chamundeshwari Temple atop Chamundi Hill overlooks the city of Mysuru from a height of about 1,065 metres, dedicated to Goddess Chamundeshwari, a fierce form of Durga who is the patron deity of the Mysore royal family and the city itself. The goddess is celebrated for slaying the demon Mahishasura, whose name gives Mysuru its name, and the hill itself is named after her. The current temple structure dates to the 12th century, with major additions made by the Wodeyar maharajas of Mysore in the 17th and 18th centuries, including the distinctive seven-storey gopuram built in 1827. The climb to the temple can be made by road or by ascending 1,000 stone steps, along which devotees traditionally make the ascent barefoot as an act of devotion. Halfway up the steps stands a massive statue of the demon Mahishasura carrying a sword and cobra, a striking counterpoint to the goddess above. The view of Mysuru city from the hilltop is one of the finest in Karnataka, and during Dasara, when the goddess is the centre of the royal celebrations, the hill and temple are illuminated and draw enormous crowds.