The Chamundi Hills
The Chamundi hills in Mysore, is a top tourist magnet that draws in photographers, nature lovers and Hindu devotees, every day of the year. Chamundi hills is located thirteen kilometers off the city of Mysore. The hills are elevated about a kilometer from the sea level. The Chamundeswari temple is located at the hill top. According to legend, the demon Mahishasura, king of the area that is currently Mysore, was killed by the Goddess Chamundeswari after a fierce battle. The hills are named after the goddess, and a temple honours her in the hills. The temple has a beautiful idol of the Goddess. A panoramic view of the city is seen from the top of the hills.
Chamundi's main hill features a long stone stairway leading to the top of the hill. There are 1,180 steps in all, with the first 600 steps being steeper than those higher up. En route to the top, the steps pass the large statue of Nandi the bull, the statue is about 16 feet high and 25 feet in length. This statue is carved from a single stone of black granite. Nandi is the vahana (vehicle) of Lord Shiva. The top of the hill has a few attractions - the Mahishasura statue, the Chamundeswari temple, and a few other temples nearby.