Chamundi Hills is a hill located in the city of Mysore can be viewed from a distance of about 8 to 10 km and from all the corners of Mysore City. The hill is home to the famous Sri Chamundeshwari Temple, which is about 3,489 ft. above sea level and located at a distance of 13 km from Mysore. The temple is located at the top of the hill and is considered one of the 18 Maha Shakti Peethas in India. The temple is dedicated to the Hindu goddess Chamundeshwari, an incarnation of the goddess Shakti. Sri Chamundeshwari is the titular deity of the Mysore Royal Family also described as ‘Mahishasura Mardini’ for having killed the buffalo-headed demon Mahishasura. The temple has a very beautiful idol of the goddess wearing a garland of skulls. Goddess Chamundeshwari, also spelled Chamundeswari is an incarnation of Goddess Durga, Goddess Kali is also referred to as the Goddess Chamundi.

There is also a statue of Mahishasura, a demon according to Hindu mythology, who was killed by the goddess Chamundeshwari. Mysore was ruled by the demon-king Mahishasura, he was a buffalo-headed monster. Hence, came the name of this place - Mahishuru, the city of the demon Mahisha. Hearing the prayers of Gods and Goddesses to save them from the monster, Goddess Parvathi, (consort of Lord Siva), took birth as Chamundeshwari and killed the monster. After killing the demon, the Goddess resided atop the Chamundi Hills where she is worshiped with reverence and devotion. The goddess is also known as Mahishasura Mardini meaning She who slew Mahishasura.

The Chamundi temple has always been patronized by the rulers of Mysore. In 1659 Dodda Devaraja Wodeyar built 1,000 steps and a huge Nandi, Lord Shiva's Bull. This colossal Nandi is one of the largest in India, 16 ft. (4.8 meters) tall at the front and 25 ft. (7.5 meters) in length. The magnificent pendent bells around its neck are exquisite. Nandi and the temple beside it are located at the 700th step of Chamundi Hill. Krishnaraja Wodeyar III repaired the shrine in 1827 and built the present beautiful forty-meter, seven-storied Gopura (tower at the entrance) with gold finials, and set up statues of him and his three queens. In 1827, Krishnaraja Wodeyar III made arrangements for festivals and processions and gifted Simhavahana in 1843.

There are two other temples dedicated to Lakshmi Narayana Swamy and Mahabaleswara. Sri Mahabaleswara temple - dedicated to Lord Shiva in the form of Linga, is the oldest temple on the hill. It was built before the beginning of the Hoysala rule. Epigraphical evidence indicates this area as Mabhala or Mabbala theertha and states that Hoysala King Vishnuvardhana has given donations to this temple in 1128 A.D.

The Mahishasura Statue - built in 1659 by Dodda Devaraja Wodeyar and Rajendra Vilas palace - used to be a popular hotel earlier are few other attractions on the hill.

A panoramic view of the city is seen from the top of the Chamundi hills. Among other landmarks, you can see the race course, the Lalitha Mahal palace, Mysore Palace, Karanji, and Kukkarahalli lakes. At dusk, the view of the city is especially beautiful, and on Sunday evenings and during the Mysore Dasara, the illuminated Mysore Palace glitters like gold!

All tour packages from Mysore includes a visit to the Chamundi Hills & Sri Chamundeshwari Temple.