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Karnataka Chamundeswari Temple Mysore
The Chamundeshwari Temple belongs to the 12th century. The temple was built by Hoysalas. The temple tower which has 300 years old history was built by Vijayanagar Kings.
Goddess Durga has been enshrined in the temple in the Chamunda form of her. Mahabala Parvata hill was named as Chamundi hill after the name of the deity Chamunda. The temple had been built in Dravidian style of architecture in a fine quadrangular structure. It has seven storeys of about 40 m high gopuras at the entrance with exquisite carvings.
A gold decorated idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari is in the sanctum of the temple with silver doors. It is worshipped by a number of priests. The images of the goddesses in different forms are on the silver plated doorways making them unique. A 16 foot high statue of demon Mahishasura is located near the temple. The temple has many images of Nandi and a small statue of Lord Ganesha at the doorway. On the top of the sanctum is a small tower or Vimana that can be seen from outside the temple.
History of the Temple
In the 12th century, Chamundeshwari Temple was a small temple. Then later it was rebuilt by Hoysalas in its huge form. Earlier human and animal sacrifices were a common practice in the temple but later in 18th century this custom was stopped. In the reign of Mysore Maharajas Chamundeshwari Temple was expanded in a very big temple of Karnataka.
The legend behind the Temple is that Goddess Chamundeshwari saved Mysore by killing demon Mahishasura on the top of the Chamundi hill. That’s why she is referred as the goddess of Mysore with the name of the Mysore city.
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