Chamundeshwari Temple in Mysore, Karnataka, was built to honour Chamundeshwari, a fierce form of Shakti. In some legends, her name is a combination of Chanda and Munda, the two demons she killed. At the Chamundeshwari Temple in Mysore, however, Chamundeshwari resides atop the Chamundi Hills. 
It is believed that this is where Parvati was born as Chamundeshwari and killed the buffalo-headed demon king Mahishasura. The word Mahishasura underwent many changes from Mahishooru to Mysore to the present Mysuru. Chamundeshwari was the state goddess of Mysore and revered by its rulers.
The temple is one of India’s 18 Shakti Peethas, also known as Krouncha Pitha because this region was called Krouncha Puri in Puranic times. The hair of Sati is believed to have fallen here.

Hoysala rulers built the temple in the 12th century while Vijayanagar rulers probably added the tower in 1659 AD. Expansions and renovations were made by subsequent Mysore maharajas. There are a thousand steps leading up to the temple which was built by King Dodda Devaraja between 1659-1673.
The temple is of a quadrangular structure. Built in Dravidian style, it consists of the main doorway, entrance, Navaranga Hall, Antharala Mantapa, sanctum sanctorum, and Prakara. There is a beautiful seven-tier Gopura or pyramidal tower at the entrance and a ‘Vimana’ (small tower) atop the sanctum sanctorum. Atop the ‘Shikara’, the tower at the entrance, are seven golden ‘Kalashas’.

Krishnaraja Wodeyar III repaired the shrine in 1827 A.D and built the present beautiful tower at the entrance (Gopura). Blessed by the Goddess, Krishnaraja Wodeyar, an ardent devotee of the Mother Goddess, presented to the temple a ‘Simha-vahana’ (a lion-shaped vehicle) and other animal cars and jewels of value. The cars are used even now for processions on special religious occasions.

The tower at the entrance has a small image of Lord Ganesha in the doorway. The doorway is silver-plated and has images of the Goddess in different forms. On either side of the doorway are the images of ‘Dwarapalakas’ or doorkeepers. As one enters, there is a small statue of Lord Ganesha on the right. After a few steps, there is a flagstaff, the footprints of the Goddess, and a small statue of Nandi, facing the sanctum sanctorum. On the right side, before approaching the flagstaff, there is an image of ‘Anjaneya’ attached to the wall. On either side of this entrance are two Dikpalakas, Nandini and Kamalini.
The idol of Chamundeshwari is said to be made of gold. A 16-feet high statue of Mahishasura can be seen near the temple. There are two other temples in Chamundi Hills - Shiva Mahabaleswara Temple and Lakshmi Narayana Swamy Temple.

Sevas and pujas: 
Darshana and Pooja: 7.30 am to 2 pm and 3.30 pm to 6.00 pm
Abhisheka: 6 am to 7.30 am and 6 pm to 7.30 pm | Friday 5 am to 6.30 am

Utsav:
Dussehra is celebrated for 10 days with special prayers. Mysore Dussehra is a royal festival that celebrates the victory of truth over evil. The festivities begin with the Wodeyar royal couple performing a special puja to Chamundeshwari in the Chamundi Temple. The main attraction of this procession is the idol of Chamundeshwari, which is placed on a golden mandapa on the top of a decorated elephant.
Various music performances are also conducted. Rathotsavam or Car Festival is celebrated on the auspicious Ashwayuja Pournami, after the Dussehra Festival. The Theppotsava or floating festival is held on this occasion. The ninth day of Dussehra called Mahanavami is also an auspicious day on which the royal sword is worshipped and taken on a procession involving elephants, camels, and horses.

Best time to visit: September to February.

Interesting facts:
The Nandi bull in this temple is a monolith and is on the 800th step. The temple has a seven-story-tall gopura which was constructed by Krishnaraja Wodeyar III in 1827 with intricate carvings.

There is an ancient holy pond Devikere close to the temple. Water is used for the deity.

Places nearby:
Mysore Palace, Lalitha Mahal Palace, Jaganmohan Palace art gallery, Brindavan gardens, Srirangapatnam, 14 km away. Nagarhole National Park, Shivana Samudra, 85 km from Mysore, Sravanabelagola, Karanji Lake, St. Philomena's church, Mysore Zoo.