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Major attraction of the temple
is the idol of the Chamundi Devi.
Gates of the temple are made of silver plated. The temple also boasts
of a jewel Nakshatra-Malike with 30 Sanskrit shlokas inscribed on it. A
16-foot-high statue of the demon Mahishasura near the temple is another
significant feature of Sri Chamundeswari Temple. This is so because
Mahishasura was slain by the goddess Chamundeswari (Durga or Parvati) to
protect the area. Hence Chamundi Devi is also lovingly known as the
Goddess of Mysore. The word 'Chamundi' means terrible, and this is
another name for Parvati, who is in an angry mood to slay the demon.
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Great
Nandi (Bull) After ascending about 720 of the stone steps leading to
the summit of the Chamundi Hill, the wearied visitors may stop under the
nose of the huge stone image of Nandi who lies couchant at that point
upon a large pedestal. The statue is 16 feet high at the front and
25 feet long from front to back. It is, well decorated with
trappings and chains of bells, and otherwise ornamented.
The Bettada Jatre takes place soon after Vijayadasami every year, and
the Car Festival or Rathotsava, is held on Asvija Month. A day
after, in a big pond called Devi Kola on the hill a floating-raft
procession (Theppotsavam) is held which is attended by huge crowds. Besides the Chamundeswari, Mahabaladri, Narayanaswamy temples and
Mahishasura and Nandi statues, there are a few other interesting spots
on the Chamundi Hills.
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To the south of Chamundeswari temple, a Maramma temple is located facing
north. Special annual worship is conducted to the deity in the month of
Magha Bahula. A large number of villagers conduct their customary
worship to Maramma.
While descending the steps, an Anjaneya shrine is seen. Half way the
1,000 steps, the Mantapa is said to have been built by Maharaja
Chamaraja Wodeyar.
Jwalamukhi Tripura
Sundari Temple at Uthanahalli, Mysore
"Kadamba vana vasinim, kanaka vallaki dharinim,
Maharha mani harinim, mukasa mulla sad varunim,
Daya vibhava karinim vichatha lochamim, charinim,
Trilochana Kudimbhineem, Tripura Sundarim Aasraye”
The above verse is one of the octet of the Tripura Sundari Ashtakam,
which means I prostrate before her, who is the beauty of the three
worlds, lives in the Kadamba forest, holds a golden holy Veena, wears a
divine garland of gems and whose face gleams with joy and mercy bestows
wealth, who is present everywhere and the one who belongs to the
three-eyed family (Shiva).
The ancient temple of Jwalamukhi Tripurasundari is built in Uthanahalli,
Mysore at the foot of Chamundi Hills. She is believed to be the sister
of Goddess Chamundeshwari, the presiding deity of Chamundi hills temple.
Jwalamukhi Tripura Sundari temple is approximately 6 kilometers from the
center of Mysore and is 3 kms from Chamundeshwari temple atop the hills.
Jwalamukhi means a person with energy of fire and some believe that she
represents the flaming mouth of Jalandhara, the demon whom Lord Shiva
crushed to death using huge masses of mountains. Tripura Sundari means
beauty of the three worlds.
The temple idol was installed during the rule of the Wodeyars. Now, a
new courtyard is built all around the temple to protect it. Tourists and
devotees throng the temple for darshan/blessings.
Place Statistics:
Type of Place: Ancient Temple
Distance: 6kms from Mysore
Transport: Well connected by road
Facilities: Shops selling pooja items |
