Chamundeshwari Rathotsava 2026

1. Sacred Epigraphy: Naada Devathe of the Royal City of Mysuru

Perched high atop the prominent granite peak of **Chamundi Hills** (at an elevation of 1,000 meters / 3,300 feet) overlooking the royal palace city of Mysuru, the Sri Chamundeshwari Rathotsava (known also as the *Chamundi Hill Brahmarathotsava*) is the grand spiritual culmination of Karnataka's Dussehra season. Celebrated annually on the auspicious full moon day of *Ashwina* (October/November), this festival honors **Goddess Chamundeshwari** (*Naada Devathe*), the fierce slayer of demon Mahishasura and the supreme tutelary deity of the **Wadiyar royal dynasty**.

The temple's origins date back to the 12th-century Hoysala period, later expanded with a towering 7-tiered Dravidian *Gopuram* by Vijayanagara monarchs and enhanced by Maharaja Krishnaraja Wadiyar III in 1827.

2. Sacerdotal Royalty: The 45-Foot Brahmaratha Procession

The chariot festival is governed by strict royal protocol:

3. Living Pilgrimage: The 1,000 Steps & Monolithic Nandi

Pilgrims undertake a sacred walking ascent up the hill slopes:

• The 1,000 Ancient Steps: Constructed in 1659 by Dodda Devaraja Wadiyar, the granite stone staircase ascends through dense scrub forests, marked by vermilion and turmeric shrines.
• The 16-Foot Monolithic Nandi: Located at the 700th step, the massive black granite Nandi bull—carved from a single boulder in 1664—is anointed with hundreds of liters of milk and sandalwood paste during the festival.

4. Cosmic Epigraphy: The Slaying of Mahishasura on Chamundi Hills

The festival commemorates the supreme victory of righteousness over darkness:

• The 8-Armed Warrior Goddess: According to the *Markandeya Purana*, Goddess Durga assumed the fierce form of Chamundeshwari with eight weapon-bearing arms to slay the buffalo demon Mahishasura after a nine-day cosmic battle atop these very hills.
• The Origin of Mysuru: The name *Mysuru* derives directly from *Mahishuru* (the abode of Mahishasura), sanctifying the hilltop shrine as a premier seat of Shakta devotion.

5. Heraldic Grandeur: The Royal Gandaberunda Insignia

The Brahmaratha chariot is embellished with the sacred royal emblem:

Flags and canopies feature the **Gandaberunda**—the mythical two-headed bird of immense cosmic strength that served as the royal crest of the Wadiyar dynasty and remains the official state emblem of Karnataka today.

4. Authentic Mysore Gastronomy: Mysore Pak & Bisi Bele Bath

Mysore palace culinary traditions are showcased during the festival:

6. Ecological Sanctuary: The Reserve Forests of Chamundi Hills

The sacred hill is an ecologically rich biodiversity reserve:

• Flora and Fauna: The surrounding 1,500-acre reserve forest shelters Indian leopards, spotted deer, wild boars, and over 140 species of residential and migratory birds.
• Sacred Botanical Heritage: The hill slopes abound with rare medicinal plants, wild neem (*Azadirachta indica*), and fragrant sandalwood trees protected by the temple administration.

7. Artisanal Heritage: GI-Tagged Mysore Silk & Sandalwood Incense

The temple festivities celebrate Mysuru's world-famous royal crafts:

The deity is draped in bespoke GI-tagged Mysore Silk Sarees woven with pure gold zari threads (*Kasuti*), while the inner sanctum is perfumed with pure GI-tagged Mysore Sandalwood Oil (*Santalum album*) distilled in government royal distilleries.

The Mahishasuramardini Citadel: Chamundi Hill & The Dodda Ratha

The spiritual climax of the post-Dussehra festivities in Mysore is the grand Chamundeshwari Rathotsava (Car Festival), celebrated on the full moon day of Ashwayuja (October–November) atop the sacred granite heights of Chamundi Hill. Dedicated to Goddess Chamundeshwari—the tutelary warrior deity of the Kingdom of Mysore and the fierce slayer of the buffalo-demon Mahishasura—the hill has served as a center of Shakta worship since the 12th-century Hoysala epoch.

Devotees ascend the ancient flight of 1,008 stone steps commissioned in 1659 CE by Dodda Devaraja Wodeyar, passing the colossal monolithic Nandi Statue—carved out of a single black granite boulder measuring 16 feet in height and 25 feet in length, adorned with meticulously sculpted bell-chains. At the summit, the 7-tiered, 40-meter Dravidian gateway (*Gopuram*) built by Krishnaraja Wodeyar III in 1827 frames the temple quadrangle.

On Rathotsava morning, amidst the chanting of Vedic hymns and the firing of 21 traditional cannon salutes, the consecrated processional idol (*Utsava Murti*) of Goddess Chamundeshwari, draped in royal silks and adorned with precious gem-studded jewels, is mounted onto the monumental wooden chariot known as the Dodda Ratha. Tens of thousands of pilgrims from across Karnataka and neighboring states pull the thick coir ropes with shouts of "Chamundi Mathege Jai!", guiding the massive chariot around the hill promenade, followed by distribution of traditional Mysore prasadam including tamarind rice (*Puliyogare*) and sweet *Mysore Pak*.

5. Chamundeshwari Rathotsava Field Guide & Advice

For heritage travelers, pilgrims, and cultural photographers:

Key Travel Logistics & Hill Access

• Location & Access: Chamundi Hills is located 13 km from Mysuru Junction railway station (MYS) and 150 km from Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru (BLR). Regular KSRTC city buses connect Mysore City Bus Stand to Chamundi Hilltop.
• Timing: The royal pujas begin at 6:30 AM, and the chariot is pulled around the temple at 7:30 AM; arrive on the hilltop by 6:00 AM to secure prime viewing spots near the Gopuram.
• Step Climb Advice: Climbing the 1,000 steps takes 45 to 60 minutes; start by 5:30 AM to enjoy cool morning breezes and the sunrise view over Mysore Palace.

8. Sacerdotal Hydrology: The Twilight Teppotsava at Devikere Tank

The chariot festival is followed by the enchanting floating raft festival:

• The Sacred Devikere Tank: The consecrated idol of Goddess Chamundeshwari is placed upon a lavishly illuminated floating coracle raft (Teppa) adorned with thousands of marigolds and jasmine garlands.
• Circumambulation on Water: Priests row the deity around the stone-stepped lake three times at dusk, accompanied by nadaswaram wind instruments and fireworks echoing over Mysore valley.

9. Royal Nocturne: The 100,000-Bulb Mysore Palace Illumination

Festival evenings offer breathtaking architectural splendor below the hill:

The Indo-Saracenic masterpiece **Mysore Palace** (Amba Vilas) is illuminated with 97,000 incandescent golden bulbs against the night sky, creating a glittering spectacle visible from the high vantage points of Chamundi Hills.

10. Martial Liturgy: Royal Ayudha Puja & The Pattada Katti

The chariot festival preserves the warrior traditions of the Wadiyar dynasty:

• Consecration of Royal Swords: The historic diamond-encrusted royal sword (Pattada Katti) and antique silver maces are consecrated before Goddess Chamundeshwari by palace priests.
• Royal Chariot Escort: Mounted palace cavalry units in crimson uniforms and turbans escort the Brahmaratha as it processes along the hilltop perimeter.

11. Artisanal Woodcraft: GI-Tagged Mysore Rosewood Inlay

Mysuru’s world-famous woodworking heritage is celebrated during festival stalls:

Master artisans carve intricate panels from dark Indian rosewood (Dalbergia latifolia), embedding locally sourced woods of contrasting grain and colors to create breathtaking relief scenes of Goddess Chamundeshwari and royal Dasara processions.

12. Monumental Sculpture: The Colossal Mahishasura Landmark

Visitors to the summit are greeted by an iconic landmark of Mysuru:

• The Painted Colossus: Near the bus terminus atop Chamundi Hills stands the towering, brightly painted statue of **Mahishasura**, holding a raised sword in his right hand and a cobra in his left.
• Panoramic Hill Vistas: The hill viewpoints offer breathtaking bird's-eye panoramas of the entire Mysore cityscape, the Lalitha Mahal Palace, Karanji Lake, and the distant Nilgiri hills.

13. Floral Heritage: GI-Tagged Mysore Jasmine (Mysore Mallige)

The chariot is lavishly draped in the royal flower of Mysuru:

Local flower artisans thread thousands of meters of GI-tagged Mysore Mallige (Jasminum sambac), revered for its intense sweet fragrance and pointed buds, into monumental flower garlands adorning the Brahmaratha chariot.

14. Sacerdotal Dawn Liturgy: The Mahamastakabhishekam of Devi

The festival day begins before dawn with elaborate Vedic bathing ceremonies:

• Sacred Panchamrita Abhishekam: High priests bathe the golden and black stone deities in consecrated hill water, fresh cow milk, curd, honey, sugarcane juice, and fragrant Mysore sandalwood paste.
• Sahasranama Archana: Priests chant the thousand sacred names of Sri Lalitha Tripura Sundari, sanctifying the temple before the Goddess mounts the royal Brahmaratha chariot.

6. Frequently Asked Questions