About Chamundeshwari Temple, Chamundi Hills
Sati's hair is said to have fallen on the 1,062 m Chamundi Hills overlooking Mysore, making this the fourth peetha of the Ashtadasha. The 12th-century Hoysala-era shrine is the kuladevata of the Wadiyar royal family. Two ways up: 1,008 ancient stone steps, or a winding 13 km road from the city centre.
History
Chamundeshwari is a fierce form of Durga, said to have slain the buffalo demon Mahishasura — Mysore (Mahishur) is named after the demon, and the goddess is worshipped here as the city's protector. The original temple is 12th-century Hoysala, dramatically expanded by the Wadiyars in the 17th century (the seven-storey 40-m gopuram dates from this phase). The 16-foot Mahishasura statue at the temple entrance, sculpted in 1659 by Krishnaraja Wadiyar III, depicts the demon mid-transformation between buffalo and human form — among the most photographed temple sculptures in India. The 1,008 stone steps up the hill were built in 1659; pilgrim tradition says climbing them barefoot annually is the kuladevata vow of the Wadiyars. The famous Nandi statue at step 800 — 4.9 m tall, single block of granite — was carved in 1659 and is among the largest monolithic Nandi statues in India. The temple is the fourth peetha in the stotram, 'Chamundi Krounchapattane' (Krounchapura is an old Sanskrit name for Mysore).
Best Time to Visit
October to March
Entry fees in your currency
- Special / Quick Darshan₹100$…
- Sahasranama Archana₹250$…
- Kumkumarchana₹150$…
- Vehicle parking₹50$…
Live INR rates, refreshed hourly. Confirm at the gate counter — entry fees may have changed since this page was updated.
Entry Fee · Tickets
How much does it cost to visit Chamundeshwari Temple, Chamundi Hills?
Free general darshan. Special pujas and parking are paid separately.
- Special / Quick DarshanSkip-the-line, available at the temple counter₹100
- Sahasranama Archana30-minute Sankalpa puja with priest₹250
- Kumkumarchana₹150
- Vehicle parkingCars; ₹30 for two-wheelers₹50
- Open 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.
- Friday is the goddess's day — special abhishekam and processions
- Mobile phones permitted in the courtyard but not in the inner sanctum
- Modest dress required
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Travel Tips
- Climb the 1,008 stone steps (1.5 hours) at dawn for the spiritual experience; drive the 13 km road for the comfort one
- Skip the line: the special darshan ticket (₹100) saves 1–2 hours during weekends and festival days
- Mysore Dasara (Sharad Navratri, late September–October) is the absolute peak — book accommodation 3+ months ahead
- Combine with Mysore Palace, St. Philomena's Cathedral, KRS Dam (Brindavan Gardens) and Somnathpur (35 km, Hoysala temple) for a 2-day Mysore circuit
- Don't miss the 4.9-m Nandi at step 800 — get off the road at the Nandi Statue parking and rejoin the steps
Temples & Heritage Sites
- Mahabaleshwara Temple — Shiva shrine on the same hill, 500 m
- Mahishasura Statue and Nandi monolith — on the climb
- Mysore Palace — Wadiyar court complex, 13 km in the city
- Somnathpur — Hoysala temple, 35 km
How to Reach Chamundeshwari Temple, Chamundi Hills
Chamundeshwari Temple, Chamundi Hills is located in Karnataka, India at coordinates 12.2725°N, 76.6731°E. You can reach Chamundeshwari Temple, Chamundi Hills by air (nearest airport in Karnataka), train, or road. Use YatraJunction's free fare calculator to compare live train, bus and flight prices, and to build an AI-powered itinerary tailored to your budget and travel dates.
Planning Your Visit to Chamundeshwari Temple, Chamundi Hills
Chamundeshwari Temple, Chamundi Hills lies in Karnataka, India, and ranks among the state’s most-visited pilgrimage destinations. The nearest major city and transport gateway is Bengaluru, roughly 127 km away — most travellers route through Bengaluru by air or rail before continuing on to Chamundeshwari Temple, Chamundi Hills. Time your trip for October to March for the most comfortable weather.
Travelling from within India, Bengaluru connects to every metro by daily domestic flights and the railway network, so Chamundeshwari Temple, Chamundi Hills slots easily into a wider Karnataka itinerary.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the best time to visit Chamundeshwari Temple, Chamundi Hills?
- The best time to visit Chamundeshwari Temple, Chamundi Hills is October to March.
- What are the top travel tips for Chamundeshwari Temple, Chamundi Hills?
- Climb the 1,008 stone steps (1.5 hours) at dawn for the spiritual experience; drive the 13 km road for the comfort one. Skip the line: the special darshan ticket (₹100) saves 1–2 hours during weekends and festival days. Mysore Dasara (Sharad Navratri, late September–October) is the absolute peak — book accommodation 3+ months ahead. Combine with Mysore Palace, St. Philomena's Cathedral, KRS Dam (Brindavan Gardens) and Somnathpur (35 km, Hoysala temple) for a 2-day Mysore circuit. Don't miss the 4.9-m Nandi at step 800 — get off the road at the Nandi Statue parking and rejoin the steps.
- Where is Chamundeshwari Temple, Chamundi Hills located?
- Chamundeshwari Temple, Chamundi Hills is in Karnataka, India, at 12.2725° N, 76.6731° E. The nearest major city and transport hub is Bengaluru, about 127 km away.
- What are the best places to visit near Chamundeshwari Temple, Chamundi Hills?
- Top attractions near Chamundeshwari Temple, Chamundi Hills include Mysore Palace (about 4 km away), Wayanad (about 88 km away), Ooty (Udhagamandalam) (about 96 km away) — all easy to combine on a Karnataka trip.
