Chamundeshwari Temple & Nandi Bull - Mysore
The Chamundeshwari Temple is located on the top of Chamundi Hills about 13 km from the palace city of Mysore in the state of Karnataka in India. The temple was named after Chamundeshwari or Durga, the fierce form of Shakti, a tutelary deity held in reverence for centuries by Mysore Maharajas. The original shrine is thought to have been built in the 12th century by Hoysala rulers while its tower was probably built by the Vijayanagar rulers of the 17th century. In 1659, a flight of one thousand steps was built leading up to the 3000 foot summit of the hill. At the temple are several images of Nandi (the bull mount of Shiva). There is a huge granite Nandi on the 800th step on the hill in front of a small Shiva temple a short distance away. This Nandi is over 15 feet high, and 24 feet long and around its neck are exquisite bells. The temple has a seven storey tall Gopura decorated with intricate carvings. The deity of the goddess is said to be made of gold and the temple doors of silver.
Chamundi Hills can be viewed from a distance of about 8 to 10 kms and from all the corners of Mysore City. Chamundeshwari temple is situated on the top of Chamundi hill which is about 3,489 ft. above sea level and located at a distance of 13 kms. from Mysore. The temple is dedicated to Sri Chamundeshwari, 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. The Chamundi temple has always been patronised by the rulers of Mysore. In 1659 Dodda Devaraja Wodeyar built 1,000 steps and 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 the 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 his and his three queens. In 1827, Krishnaraja Wodeyar III made arrangements for festivals and processions and gifted Simhavahana in 1843.
Nandi or Nandin is now universally supposed to be the name for the bull which serves as the mount of the god Shiva and as the gate keeper of Shiva and Parvati, and in Hindu mythology. He is the chief guru of eight masters including Patanjali and Thirumular. Temples venerating Shiva display stone images of a seated Nandi, generally facing the main shrine. There are also a number of temples dedicated solely to Nandi. Climbing the steps of Chamundi Hills is a popular way of keeping fit among the locals in Mysore. The main set of a thousand steps takes anywhere between 12 to 60 minutes to climb, depending on an individual's fitness levels. Some individuals climb only till the Nandi statue, which is about 700 steps, then run on the downhill road to the other side of Chamundi Hills for about 2 kilometers, and climb another set of 600 steps to the top. This set of steps at the back of the hill is less used and provides a different challenge for climbers seeking exercise.
The giant image of Nandi (Bull) is located at the top of Chamundi hills in Mysore. More than 350 years old, this is one of the oldest icons in Mysore. The Nandi is portrayed in sitting position with its left foreleg folded in an about to get up posture. While the image is in great proportions, the finer details are executed equally brilliant. You can see many sequences of bells and garlands dexterously carved over the Nandi. With his ears pointed in rapt attention, the expression on the face is something not to be missed. The whole image sits on a 4 feet or so heigh platform. According to Hindu mythology Nandi is considered as the vehicle (mount) of Lord Shiva, the lord of destruction. In front of every Shiva temple, on the court facing the shrine, you can see the image of a Nandi. About 16 feet in height and 24 feet long, this Nandi atop the Chamundi Hills is the third largest in India. The creation of this colossal image is attributed to Dodda Devaraja Wodeyar (1659–1673) on of the illustrious Maharajas of Mysore. It is the same maharaja who also commissioned the 1000 stepped stairway to the hilltop. Originally this was a colossal boulder. The image of the Nandi was carved out of this boulder in situ. When you visit this Nandi just look around to see similar boulders around this site. In fact right behind the Nandi image is small cave temple under an overhanging boulder dedicated to Shiva. These boulders are painted with white and ochre stripes.
Mysore, Maisuru in Kannada is the second-largest city in the state of Karnataka, India. It is the headquarters of the Mysore district and the Mysore division; it lies about 146 km (91 mi) southwest of Bangalore, the capital of the state. The city is spread across an area of 128.42 km2 (50 sq mi) and is situated at the base of the Chamundi Hills. According to provisional results of the 2011 national census of India, the population of the city is 887,446. Hinduism is the major religion among the inhabitants of the city. Mysore City Corporation is responsible for the civic administration of Mysore. Mysore is notable for its palaces including the Mysore Palace, and the festivities that take place during the Dasara festival when the city receives a large number of tourists. Mysore lends its name to the the Mysore style of painting, the sweet dish Mysore Pak, the Mysore Peta (a traditional silk turban) and the garment known as the Mysore silk saree. Tourism is the major industry in the city; information technology related industry has emerged as a major employer besides the traditional industries. Without a functional airport, Mysore depends on rail and bus transport for inter-city connections. Mysore was the location of the first private radio broadcasting station in India. The city houses Mysore University which has been associated with several notable names particularly in the field of Kannada literature.
Read MoreChamundi Hills can be viewed from a distance of about 8 to 10 kms and from all the corners of Mysore City. Chamundeshwari temple is situated on the top of Chamundi hill which is about 3,489 ft. above sea level and located at a distance of 13 kms. from Mysore. The temple is dedicated to Sri Chamundeshwari, 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. The Chamundi temple has always been patronised by the rulers of Mysore. In 1659 Dodda Devaraja Wodeyar built 1,000 steps and 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 the 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 his and his three queens. In 1827, Krishnaraja Wodeyar III made arrangements for festivals and processions and gifted Simhavahana in 1843.
Nandi or Nandin is now universally supposed to be the name for the bull which serves as the mount of the god Shiva and as the gate keeper of Shiva and Parvati, and in Hindu mythology. He is the chief guru of eight masters including Patanjali and Thirumular. Temples venerating Shiva display stone images of a seated Nandi, generally facing the main shrine. There are also a number of temples dedicated solely to Nandi. Climbing the steps of Chamundi Hills is a popular way of keeping fit among the locals in Mysore. The main set of a thousand steps takes anywhere between 12 to 60 minutes to climb, depending on an individual's fitness levels. Some individuals climb only till the Nandi statue, which is about 700 steps, then run on the downhill road to the other side of Chamundi Hills for about 2 kilometers, and climb another set of 600 steps to the top. This set of steps at the back of the hill is less used and provides a different challenge for climbers seeking exercise.
The giant image of Nandi (Bull) is located at the top of Chamundi hills in Mysore. More than 350 years old, this is one of the oldest icons in Mysore. The Nandi is portrayed in sitting position with its left foreleg folded in an about to get up posture. While the image is in great proportions, the finer details are executed equally brilliant. You can see many sequences of bells and garlands dexterously carved over the Nandi. With his ears pointed in rapt attention, the expression on the face is something not to be missed. The whole image sits on a 4 feet or so heigh platform. According to Hindu mythology Nandi is considered as the vehicle (mount) of Lord Shiva, the lord of destruction. In front of every Shiva temple, on the court facing the shrine, you can see the image of a Nandi. About 16 feet in height and 24 feet long, this Nandi atop the Chamundi Hills is the third largest in India. The creation of this colossal image is attributed to Dodda Devaraja Wodeyar (1659–1673) on of the illustrious Maharajas of Mysore. It is the same maharaja who also commissioned the 1000 stepped stairway to the hilltop. Originally this was a colossal boulder. The image of the Nandi was carved out of this boulder in situ. When you visit this Nandi just look around to see similar boulders around this site. In fact right behind the Nandi image is small cave temple under an overhanging boulder dedicated to Shiva. These boulders are painted with white and ochre stripes.
Mysore, Maisuru in Kannada is the second-largest city in the state of Karnataka, India. It is the headquarters of the Mysore district and the Mysore division; it lies about 146 km (91 mi) southwest of Bangalore, the capital of the state. The city is spread across an area of 128.42 km2 (50 sq mi) and is situated at the base of the Chamundi Hills. According to provisional results of the 2011 national census of India, the population of the city is 887,446. Hinduism is the major religion among the inhabitants of the city. Mysore City Corporation is responsible for the civic administration of Mysore. Mysore is notable for its palaces including the Mysore Palace, and the festivities that take place during the Dasara festival when the city receives a large number of tourists. Mysore lends its name to the the Mysore style of painting, the sweet dish Mysore Pak, the Mysore Peta (a traditional silk turban) and the garment known as the Mysore silk saree. Tourism is the major industry in the city; information technology related industry has emerged as a major employer besides the traditional industries. Without a functional airport, Mysore depends on rail and bus transport for inter-city connections. Mysore was the location of the first private radio broadcasting station in India. The city houses Mysore University which has been associated with several notable names particularly in the field of Kannada literature.
