Sri Chamundeshwari Temple
Chamundi Hills, Mysuru, Mysuru district · Goddess Chamundeshwari (Durga as slayer of Mahishasura), eight-armed (Ashtabhuja), seated
The hilltop goddess who slew Mahishasura and gave Mysuru its name, the heart of Mysuru Dasara.
On the summit of Chamundi Hills, about 13 km from Mysuru and about 1,000 m above sea level, stands the temple of Chamundeshwari, the fierce form of Durga who killed the buffalo-demon Mahishasura on this hill, which is how Mahishuru became Mysuru. She has been the kuladevata (family deity) of the Wodeyar kings for centuries, and the city's world-famous Dasara begins with a puja to her on the hill and ends with her golden idol carried on an elephant through Mysuru. A seven-tier gopuram (1827), a 1,000-step stairway (1659) and a giant monolithic Nandi make the hill a full pilgrimage.
Timings
- Darshan and puja (morning): 7:30 AM – 2:00 PM
- Darshan and puja (afternoon): 3:30 PM – 6:00 PM
- Darshan and puja (night): 7:30 PM – 9:00 PM
- Abhisheka: 6:00 – 7:30 AM and 6:00 – 7:30 PM; Fridays 5:00 – 6:30 AM
- Prasadam for abhisheka ticket holders: 7:30 – 10:30 AM and 7:30 – 9:00 PM
- Dasoha (free meals): 7:30 – 10:00 AM, 12:00 – 3:30 PM, 7:30 – 9:00 PM
- Note: Timings are extended and changed on Ashada Fridays, Dasara and other festival days. Check announcements.
Darshan types and costs
- Dharma (free) darshan – Free
- Special darshan (normal day) – ₹30
- Direct darshan – ₹100
- Ashada day tickets – ₹50 / ₹200
Sevas and costs
- Panchamrutha Abhisheka – ₹220 (Daily 6:00–7:30 AM and 6:00–7:30 PM (Fri 5:00–6:30 AM))
- Ekavara Abhisheka – ₹300 (Abhisheka hours (as above))
- Ekadashavara Abhisheka – ₹550 (Abhisheka hours (as above))
- Kumkum Sahasranama (Kumkumarchana) – ₹110 (During darshan hours)
- Saptashati Parayana – ₹110 (During darshan hours)
- Mahapooja – ₹1,100 (During darshan hours)
- Nivedane (500 g) – ₹300 (During darshan hours)
- Prakarotsava – ₹275 (Evening (night darshan session))
- Dodda Utsava – ₹450 (Evening)
- Rudrakshi Mantapotsava – ₹440 (Evening)
- Simha Vahanotsava – ₹550 (Dodda Simha Vahanotsava ₹1,650) (Evening)
- Belli (silver) Rathotsava – Chikka (small) ₹3,000 · Belli Rathotsava ₹2,750 · Dodda (large) ₹5,500 (Evening, on available dates)
- Seere Darisuva Kanike (saree draping offering) – ₹50 fee (plus your saree) (Morning or evening slot on a fixed date)
- Chandika Homa (individual) – ₹50,000 (Morning or evening slot, by availability calendar)
- Tulabhara Kanike – ₹101 (fee only; items extra) (During darshan hours)
- Anna Dasoha Seva (per day) – ₹15,000 (Any date)
How to book darshan
Free darshan needs no booking. Special/Direct darshan tickets, sevas, saree draping, Chandika Homa, e-Kanike (donations) and hill rooms can be booked on the official Sri Chamundeshwari Kshetra Development Authority site, chamundeshwaritemple.in (Book Sevas / Rooms). Counters at the temple also sell tickets on the day.
Book darshan & sevas – chamundeshwaritemple.in
Dress code
Traditional dress is expected, and it is required for sevas: men in dhoti/panche, kurta-pyjama or formal trousers; women in a saree, half-saree or churidar/salwar with dupatta. Avoid shorts, sleeveless tops and very short dresses. Footwear is left at the counters before the temple square.
Best time to visit
October to March is pleasant. Dasara (Sep/Oct; 11–21 October in 2026) is spectacular but crowded, and hill access may be restricted on key days. Ashada Fridays (late June to July) are the most auspicious days but bring the longest queues and road closures. Weekday mornings are calmest.
How to reach
- air: Mysuru Airport (MYQ, Mandakalli) is about 15 km away, with limited flights. Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru (BLR) is about 170–200 km (3.5–4 hours by road, or the Bengaluru–Mysuru expressway).
- rail: Mysuru Junction (MYS) is about 13 km. It has frequent trains from Bengaluru, including Shatabdi, Vande Bharat and many expresses.
- road: From Mysuru city, KSRTC city buses (e.g. route 201) runs from the City Bus Stand to the hilltop. Cabs and autos take about 30 minutes up the 13 km hill road. On foot, the 1,000 steps start at the foot of the hill (Chamundi Padha) and take about 45–90 minutes to climb. Ashada Fridays and Dasara often have vehicle restrictions with shuttle buses from Lalitha Mahal grounds.
Festivals
- Mysuru Dasara (Navaratri) – Ashvayuja Shukla Pratipada to Dashami, Sep/Oct (2026: 11–21 October)
- Chamundeshwari Rathotsava and Teppotsava – Ashvayuja Purnima (morning) and Ashvayuja Krishna Dvitiya (evening), after Dasara
- Ashada Fridays – Every Friday of Ashada month (Jun/Jul)
- Chamundeshwari Vardhanti (birthday) – Ashadha Krishna Saptami (Jul)
- Shayanotsava and Mudi Utsava – Ashvayuja Krishna Tritiya and Panchami (Oct/Nov)
- Vasantotsava – Chaitra Padya (Ugadi, Mar/Apr)
- Kartikotsava – Kartika Purnima (Nov)
- Kotarotsava – Pushya month, 4th day (Dec/Jan)
- Mahabaleshwara Rathotsava – Phalguna (Feb/Mar)