Sri Chamundeshwari Vardhanti Utsava

Chamundeshwari Temple (ಶ್ರೀ ಚಾಮುಂಡೇಶ್ವರಿ ದೇವಸ್ಥಾನ), 

Chamundi Hills, Mysore - 18 July 2014

The Chamundeshwari Temple (ಶ್ರೀ ಚಾಮುಂಡೇಶ್ವರಿ ದೇವಸ್ಥಾನ) is located on the top of Chamundi Hills about 13 km from the palace city of Mysore. The temple was named after Chamundeshwari or Durga, the fierce form of Shakti. She is the slayer of demons, ‘Chanda’ and ‘Munda’ and also ‘Mahishasura’, the buffalow-headed monster. She is the tutelary deity of the Mysore Maharajas and the presiding deity of Mysore. For several centuries they have held the Goddess, Chamundeswari, in great reverence.

‘Skanda Purana’ and other ancient texts mention a sacred place called ‘Trimuta Kshetra’ surrounded by eight hills. Lying on the western side is the Chamundi Hills, one among the eight hills. In the earlier days, the Hill was identified as ‘Mahabaladri’ in honour of God Shiva who resides in the ‘Mahabaleswara Temple’. This is the oldest temple on the hills.

In the later days, the hill came to be known as ‘Chamundi Hills’ in honour of the Goddess Chamundi, the chief subject of the ‘Devi Mahathme’. The Goddess is believed to be an incarnation of Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva. A large number of devotees from all over the country and from abroad visit the temple every year. They believe that the Goddess fulfils their desires and aspirations.

Chamundi Hills rises to a height of 3,489 feet MSL and is visible from a distance itself while traveling towards Mysore. There is a good motorable road to the top. Besides from Mysore side, there is also a motorable road from its rear side, the Nanjangud side. Bus facilities are available to visit the hills. Karnataka State Road Transport Corporation (KSRTC) operates regular bus services every day for the convenience of pilgrims and others.

MAHISHASURA MARDINI

The Goddess is also known as ‘Mahishasura Mardini’ for having killed the buffalo headed demon Mahishasura. The temple has a very beautiful idol of the goddess wearing a garland of skulls. Goddess Chamundeshwari, also spelled Chamundeswari is an incarnation of Goddess Durga, Goddess Kali is also referred to as the Goddess Chamundi.

Mahishasura MardiniMysore was ruled by the demon-king Mahishasura, he was a buffalo-headed monster. Hence, came the name of this place - Mahishuru, the city of demon Mahisha. Hearing to the prayers of Gods and Goddess to save them from the monster, Goddess Parvathi, (consort of Lord Siva), took birth as Chamundeshwari and killed the monster. After killing the demon, the Goddess resided atop the Chamundi Hills where she is worshiped with reverence and devotion. The goddess is also known as Mahishasura Mardini meaning She who slew Mahishasura.

HISTORICAL IMPORTANCE

The Chamundi temple has always been patronised by the rulers of Mysore. In 1659 Dodda Devaraja Wodeyar built 1,000 steps and huge Nandi, Lord Shiva's Bull. This colossal Nandi is one of the largest in India, 16 ft. (4.8 meters) tall at the front and 25 ft. (7.5 meters) in length. The magnificent pendent bells around its neck are exquisite. Nandi and the temple beside it are located at the 700th step of the Chamundi Hill. Krishnaraja Wodeyar III repaired the shrine in 1827 and built the present beautiful forty-meter,seven storied Gopura (tower at the entrance) with gold finials, and set up statues of his and his three queens. In 1827, Krishnaraja Wodeyar III made arrangements for festivals and processions and gifted Simhavahana in 1843.

A temple of great antiquity with over 1,000 years of background, it was a small shrine initially and assuming importance over the centuries it became a big temple as seen today. It assumed significance after the Mysore Maharajas, the Wodeyars, came to power in 1399 A.D., great devotees and worshippers of the Devi, Chamundeswari became their home deity and thus assumed religious prominence.

THE IDOL 

The temple has a seven storey tall Gopura decorated with intricate carvings. The deity of the goddess is said to be made of gold and the temple doors of silver.

In the sanctum sanctorum you’ll find the stone statue of the Goddess ‘Mahisha Mardini’ with ‘Ashta Bhujas’ (eight hands) sitting in a powerful yogic posture. According to local myth, the image was established by sage Markandeya. The idol of the Goddess is decorated daily and worshipped by priests and uncountable devotees with coconuts, fruits and flowers.

VARDHANTI UTSAVA

JANMOTSAVA OF GODDESS CHAMUNDESHWARI 

Being an abode of famous Chamundeshwari temple on the Chamundi hill, the city occupies the highest sanctity attached to it. If people across state pay allegiance to goddess Chamundeshwari in this month, Chamundi temple atop hill has a special ritual – Vardhanti Utsav held in Aashada. 

The Vardhanti, popularly called Ammanavara Vardhanthi is observed on the Revathi nakshathra day of Krishna Paksha in the month of Aashada. Though, it is observed as the birthday celebrations of goddess Chamundeshwari, in real sense it marks the day when the ruler of Wadiyar dynasty Mummadi Krishnaraja Wadiyar installed a “Utsava Murthy” (a replica of the goddess’s idol in sanctum sanctorum).

Since then, the day is observed as Vardhanthi when the “Utsava Murthy” of the goddess is carried on a golden palanquin along with special pooja offering. Thousands of devotees throng the temple to attend the Vardhanti from across state and various parts of the region. 

It is said that more than more than two and half centuries old temple has followed the ritual to celebrate Vardhanti in a grand manner. More than a lakh devotees are expected to throng the hill for Vardhanti. 

It is the only temple where the deity is offered Abhisheka twice everyday – in early morning and in evening, which makes it an abode of strong spiritual vibe providing protection from evils, the temple authorities believe.

On Vardhanthi, the goddess is offered special poojas like Rudrabhisheka, Panchamruthabhisheka, Sahasranamarchane in early morning and Mahamangalarathi at 10 am. While, evening pooja includes durbar utsav inside temple premises and Thambula charana besides special Abhisheka. 

ARCHITECTURE OF THE TEMPLE

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 on the doorway. The doorway is silver-plated and has the images of the Goddess in different forms. On either side of the doorway are the images of ‘Dwarapalakas’ or door-keepers. As one enters inside, on the right hand side is a small statue of Lord Ganesha, the remover of all obstacles. 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 flag staff, there is an image of ‘Anjaneya’ attached to the wall. On either side of this entrance are two Dikpalakas, Nandini and Kamalini.

In the ‘Antharala’ prior to the sacred sanctum sanctorum are the images of Lord Ganesha on the left side and of ‘Bhyrava’ on the right side. To the left of Ganesha, there is a beautiful 6-foot statue of Maharaja Krishnaraja Wodeyar III. He is standing with his hands folded in his religious clothes. On either side of him are his three wives, Ramavilasa, Lakshmivilasa and Krishnavilasa. Their names are carved on the pedestals In the sanctum sanctorum is the stone statue of the Goddess, ‘Mahisha Mardhini.’ Having ‘Ashta Bhujas’ or eight shoulders, she is in a seated posture. According to the local leged, the image was established by sage Markandeya and hence it is said to be very old.

The idol of the Goddess is decorated every day and worshipped by a number of priests. The Mysore Maharajas have donated number of valuable gifts to their family deity.Coconuts, fruits and flowers are offered to the diety.

On top of the sanctum sanctorum, a small tower or ‘Vimana’ is seen. In the ‘Prakara’ or enclosure, behind the sanctum sanctorum, are small images of a few deities, which are also worshipped.

VIEW FROM THE TOP

The crowning glory of Mysore, Chamundi Hills is an enchanting place surrounded by natural beauty. In the forest, there are varieties of trees, birds and animals. While going up the hills, a bird’s eye view of Mysore can be seen and several prominent places be spotted. It offers a spectacular scene when the Palace and its surroundings are illuminated during the Dasara and other occasions.

Some of the places that can be spotted from the hills are the Palace, Lalitha Mahal Palace, which houses the ITDC hotel, Dasara Exhibition grounds, Race Course, Kukkarahalli Lake, St. Philomena’s Church, and Krishnarajasagar at a far off distance.

Besides the Chamundi and the Mahabaleswara temples, there are a few more temples atop the hills. There are also some interesting spots and the monolith statue of ‘Nandi’ is among them. While proceeding towards the Chamundi Temple, the statue of ‘Mahishasura’- built in 1659 by Dodda Devaraja Wodeyar attracts the visitors. The ‘Chamundi Village’ is located close to the temple.