Chamundi Hills

Chamundi Hills is located 13 km east of Mysore, the Palace City, in Karnataka, India. Its average elevation is 1,000 metres (3,300 ft). Patronised for centuries by Mysore rulers, Chamundeshwari Temple is located atop the Chamundi Hills. It was renovated during the time of Krishnaraja Wodeyar III (1827). Named after goddess Chamundi, the Chamundeshwari Temple sits atop the main hill. The main hill itself features an ancient stone stairway of 1,008 steps leading to its summit. Approximately halfway to the summit is statue of bull Nandi, the vahana, or "vehicle" of Lord Shiva, which is 4.9m tall and 7.6m long and carved out of a single piece of black granite. Around this point, the steps become significantly less steep and eventually the climber is rewarded with a panoramic view of the city. Since the early days of the Maharajahs of Mysore, the idol of goddess Chamundi has been carried on a decorated elephant as part of the celebrations in the annual Dusshera festival. From the peak of the Chamundi hills, the Mysore Palace, the Karanji Lake and several smaller temples are visible. Many of the temples were constructed by members of Shirdi Sai Baba movement.