A very well-known high landmark, Chamundi Hills can be viewed from all the corners of Mysore City. Atop the hills reside of Goddess Chamundeswari, an Incarnation of Goddess Durga. Goddess Chamundeswari is the presiding deity of Mysore and the family Goddess of the Maharajas. Goddess Chamundeswari is the fierce form of Shakti who vanquished the demon Mahisasura.

According to this story Mysore was ruled by the demon-king Mahisasura, so called because he was a buffalo-headed monster. Heeding to the prayers of Gods and Goddesses to save them from the monster, Goddess Parvati, (consort of Lord Siva), took birth as Chamundi or Chamundeswari and slayed the monster. Hence, came the name of this place - Mahishuru, the city of demon Mahisha. After killing the demon, the Goddess resided atop the Chamundi Hills where she is worshipped with reverence and devotion. Mysore Dasara is the celebration of this victory of good over evil. However, the original name of the hills is 'Mahabaladri Hills' and it derived the name Chamundi Hills at a later period, after 17th century.

Dodda Devaraja Wodeyar, is said to have built the steps for the convenience of the pilgrims. It's a pleasant trip to the top past a huge Nandi, Shiva's bull, taking about thirty minutes. The forty-metre gopura, at the entrance is an attraction to both the eyes and mind. The king also attributed to have constructed 63 houses at the foot of the hills and called it Devarajapura and donated it to brahmins taking care of the temples. Besides using the steps, the Maharajas also rode on horseback to the temple. However, there was a separate flight of equestrian steps for the purpose. Very few know about the equestrian pathway today.

A statue of the demon Mahishasura from whom the city got its name, attracts as soon as you are atop the hills. The idol of Goddess Chamundi inside sanctum sanctorum is solid gold. The magnificent Nandi, carved from a single piece of black-granite in 1659, is an object of worship, is adorned with bells and garlands and tended by a priest. Minor shrines, dedicated to Chamundi and Hanuman among others, line the side of the path.

How to get there:
13 kms from Mysore City by road. Those who are strong of limbs and of an enterprising nature can climb up 1000-odd steps from the foot of the Chamundi Hills