Chamundi Hill is named after the Goddess of Mysore "Goddess Chamundi". It is believed that through her meditation the Goddess protects the well being of the town below. She is an incarnation of Parvati (consort of Shiva), who killed the demon Mahishasura. Thus bringing peace to the country (Mysore is named after her). One thousand steps or a taxi takes one to the top of the hill. From the top one can get a bird's eye view of the Mysore City below, which looks very enchanting and beautiful. More than halfway up a 5 Mt high granite stone "Nandi" (Shiva's holy bull) guards over the city of Mysore. Sri Chamundeswari Temple on the summit is dedicated to the royal Wodeyar family's presiding deity, the "Goddess Chamundi." The base of the temple dates from the 12th century and since the 17th century many additions have been made, therefore its difficult to give a definite period of its constructions like a pair of Gopurams, or the ornately sculptured pyramidal tower which was roughly constructed in the 1800's. Near the temple there is a giant statue of Mahishasura, the demon. On Tuesdays and Fridays the temple is more crowed by the devotees as these are auspicious days. In addition to the temple the panoramic view which the climb to the temple offers makes the visit to the temple worthwhile.
Place Chart: Chamundi Hill is in Mysore. Mysore is 140 Kms from Bangalore, and one can take a train, bus or taxi to reach Mysore.
Altitude: The summit of the Chamundi Hill is direct up 4 km of steps from the base. The altitude of Mysore is 776 mm.
Climate: Pleasant temperature, which is fairly even throughout the year. Winter months like December and January are also pleasant.
Clothing: Cotton is summers and light woolens for the winter months.
Seasons: All seasons are good for the devout to visit the Chamundi temple, but if one's visit coincides with the 'Dussehra Festival' in September or October then an added pomp and splendor of Mysore city can be an added bonus.
Languages: The language spoken here is mainly "Kannada" then English and Hindi.
Places of Interest: The "Sri Chamundeswari Temple" on the summit of the Chamundi Hill is dedicated to Goddess Chamundi.
Accessibility: One can reach the base of the temple by bus or by car (In Mysore). After that one can climb the 1000 steps to the top or take a taxi to reach the summit.
Accommodation :
(a) If one is lucky then one can stay in the former palace of the Maharaja of Mysore now called the "Lalitha Mahal Palace Hotel". It also has an excellent restaurant, a bar, pool, beauty saloon, health club, tennis court, billiards, travel service, helipad.
(b) The aristocratic Rajendra Vilas Palace Hotel on Chamundi.
(c) Green Hotel. The restaurant at this hotel is superb.
(d) Hotel Metropole :This is a modest but well maintain hotel in Mysore.
(e) Kings Kourt Hotel: This is a three-storey hotel in Mysore.
(f) Quality Inn Southern Star: It has all the trappings of a good hotel like a restaurant, bar, pool, health club, travel services etc.
Local festival: Temple car festival with a 15 days fair in March-April.
Shopping: The "Chamundi Temple" being a vibrant religious site the entire area surrounding the temple is teeming with kiosks and peddlers selling items for religious worship like flowers, jar-sticks, prasad etc. souvenirs, photographs of Gods and Goddesses. The temple timings are from 6:30 A.M. - 12.30 P.M. and 4 P.M. to 8.30 P.M.