Mahishasura's Mysore

Everyone knows that Mysore is world famous for its Dusshera celebrations. Though many people know many things about Mysore, not many know that the place derives its name for a very mythological reason.

 Devi Mahathmya says that long long ago there was a demon called Mahishasura who became indomitable. He had acquired a boon from Brahma which protected him from all possible dangers. He insured his life against Gods, demi gods, brave men, animals and natural calamities. This boon made him feel immortal. Hi arrogance made him run amok and wreak havoc among the people n earth. The Gods approached goddess Parvathi and save them from their desperation because the demon had not sought protection against women!

Accordingly the goddess manifested herself as Chamundeshwari and killed the demon Mahishasura after engaging him in a gory battle. The area which was known as Mahishasurana ooru (Mahishasura’s town) slowly metamorphosed as Mahishooru and later know became popular as Mysooru or Mysore!!

 The Chamundi hills form the most prominent landmark in Mysore! The hills are so named after goddess Chamundi who quelled and killed the demon Mahishasura. If you happen to fly low over the Mysore region, the Chamundi hills will appear like a sulking, curled up demon lying on his side. The Chamundi temple built by the Wodeyars of Mysore over these hills is the veritable cynosure of Mysore for its history, piety and dignity, not necessarily in that order! In fact a trip to the city can be considered incomplete without a visit to the place!

One can reach the top of the hill either by going up the chartered buses or simply climb up the one thousand steps that lead to the top of the mountain. If you have the time and energy climbing up the hill will prove to be a better option because you can have glimpses of the city and also enjoy the verdant hills. You can rest yourself at the eight hundredth step. It is punctuated with a huge decorated stone Nandi which is fifteen feet tall and twenty four feet wide before ascending further and coming face to face with the imposing colourful statue of Mahishasura who seems to be surveying his territory from top of the hill!