Chamundi Hills

The Chamundeeswari temple is located on the hills above Mysore and is accessed through a crazy road - crazy twists and turns and where staying on your side of the dotted line is optional for all - a two lane road that has often 3-4 vehicles abreast! Chamundeeswari the deity of the Mysore Maharajas has been held in reverence for centuries, and the Wodeyars of Mysore have made extensive contributions to this shrine.
A flight of one thousand steps (which we went down and not up!!!!!!!!) built by the Maharaja Dodda Devaraja in 1659 leads up to the top of the hill ,about 3000 feet. Chamraja Wodeyar IV is said to have worshipped here in 1573 and was miraculously saved from a lightning hit. Krishnaraja III (late 18th century) built the temple tower and presented the Nakshatramalika jewel with sanskrit verses inscribed on it. This is half way down the hill - Nandi the bull.