Photo 1 / 4Gopuram above the front hall. Photo: Gurucharan L N, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Chamundeshwari Temple
About the Temple
Sri Chamundeshwari Temple crowns Chamundi Hill, about 13 km from central Mysuru, and honours the goddess held to have slain Mahishasura on this hill. Revered as Nada Devi, the goddess of the land, she is at the centre of Mysuru Dasara. Visitors can drive up the hill road or climb the old stone stairway past a large granite Nandi.
Why visit
- Pay respects to the goddess at the heart of Mysuru Dasara.
- Climb the historic stairway and stop at the monolithic Nandi on the way up.
Temple Timings
- Morning
- 7:30 AM – 2:00 PM
- Afternoon
- 3:30 PM – 6:00 PM
- Evening
- 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM
Official source, checked 23 Oct 2026 · Source
These are the three sessions published by the Ministry of Tourism. Karnataka Tourism lists only the first two, so confirm the late evening session before you plan around it. Karnataka Tourism says hours are extended for special poojas and festivals. Ashada Fridays, Navaratri and Dasara bring very large crowds and changed arrangements on the hill.
Before You Go
- Time to allow
1 hour to 2.5 hours inside the temple. This is a planning allowance, not a queue time; festival days take longer.
- Dress
A 2024 news report on the temple authority's first meeting said there is no dress code at the temple. Modest clothing is still sensible; footwear arrangements were not confirmed, so ask at the entrance.
Reported by theweek.in, checked 23 Oct 2026 · Source
- Phones
Phones may be carried but must be switched off inside the temple, and photography inside is prohibited, according to a 2024 report on the temple authority's decisions.
Reported by theweek.in, checked 23 Oct 2026 · Source
- Access
A motorable road climbs to the hilltop, and a stone stairway of about 1,000 steps offers a walking route instead. Wheelchair routes at the shrine itself were not confirmed.
Official source, checked 23 Oct 2026 · Source
- Photography
Photography inside the temple is prohibited, according to a 2024 report.
Reported by theweek.in, checked 23 Oct 2026 · Source
Highlights
- The stairway up Chamundi Hill
A stone stairway of about a thousand steps, built in 1659, climbs to the summit. Many pilgrims walk it as an act of devotion.
- Monolithic Nandi
A large Nandi carved from a single block of granite sits beside a small Shiva shrine near the 700th step. It dates from 1664.
- Navaratri jewels
During Navaratri the goddess is dressed in nine forms, and on the seventh day jewels from the Mysuru district treasury are used to adorn her.
- Hilltop gopura
The temple's gateway tower was probably built under Vijayanagara rule in the 17th century and is visible across Mysuru.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org · checked 22 Oct 2026
How to reach Chamundeshwari Temple
- By air: Mysore Airport (Mandakalli) (MYQ) · about 5 km
- By train: Mysuru Junction (MYS) · about 6 km
- By road: The temple is about 13 km from Mysuru by the hill road, or reached on foot by the stairway.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org, en.wikipedia.org, en.wikipedia.org · checked 22 Oct 2026
Nearby Places
- Mysore PalaceThe Wadiyar royal palace in central Mysuru, lit up during Dasara.3.9 km away
- Srikanteshwara Temple, NanjangudA large riverside Shiva temple south of Mysuru.17 km away
- Sri Ranganathaswamy Temple, SrirangapatnaThe Adi Ranga Vishnu shrine on the Kaveri island north of Mysuru.17 km away
Sources: wikidata.org, en.wikipedia.org, en.wikipedia.org · checked 22 Oct 2026
Questions Visitors Ask
Is there a dress code at Chamundeshwari Temple?
A 2024 news report on the temple authority's first meeting said there is no dress code at the temple. Modest clothing is still sensible; footwear arrangements were not confirmed, so ask at the entrance.
What are the Chamundeshwari Temple timings?
The Ministry of Tourism lists 07:30 to 14:00, 15:30 to 18:00 and 19:30 to 21:00. Karnataka Tourism lists only the first two sessions, and festival days run longer, so confirm before you go.
How many steps lead up Chamundi Hill?
About 1,000. Karnataka Tourism counts 1,008. A large granite Nandi stands partway up, and you can drive to the top instead.
Can I take my phone into Chamundeshwari Temple?
A 2024 report says phones must be switched off inside and photography is not allowed. No deposit counter was confirmed.
Why are Ashada Fridays so crowded at Chamundi Hill?
Devotees believe Fridays in the month of Ashada are especially auspicious for worshipping the goddess, so very large numbers visit. Expect changed traffic arrangements on those days.