Chamundi Hills -A Journey of the Mind, Across Times



On the road from the Nimishamba Devi Temple in Srirangapatana to the Chamundeshwari Temple, Mysore a few thoughts come to mind. 

Why does the Indian male treat the women in his life so badly? We chant the names of the Goddess with a fervor, we pray in fear because many of Her forms are that of a warrior, destroyer of evil, a clearer of routes. We call to her Maa, mother Goddess! Red bandannas with silver trims are tied to head, wrists and car mirrors as a proof of our devotion – and then we read an endless litany of newspaper stories describing rapes, gang-rapes, juvenile rapes, wife beatings and many such desecrations of the Devis closer home. We climb hills to pay obeisance because reaching Her always requires effort, bhajans are sung all night long in lusty voice - and then closer home, abysmal disrespect?

Another  thought is the magical change that topography can undergo in a fairly short Indian road trip. From rivers and canals, red earth and green fields to ascending hills, mist and the shimmering sprawl of the erstwhile royal state of Mysore laid out like a vast carpet – lakes and palace tops glimmering in the sunlight. That then is the journey to the Chamundeshwari temple on Chamundi hills. The Chamundeshwari Temple is considered a Shakti Peeth [a divine power vortex] and one among the 18 Maha Shakti Peethas. 

Bereft in sorrow, Lord Shiva wandered the land carrying the lifeless corpse of Sati Devi in his arms. The hair of Sati Devi are said to have fallen here, the Shakti is addressed as Chamundeshwari Devi. The original shrine is thought to have been built in the 12th century by Hoysala rulers. The Goddess is astride a lion, trident in hand, destroyer of the evil buffalo-headed Mahisasura [a demon who had terrorized Gods and men alike]. Devi Chamundeshwari  integrates the prayers, weapons and powers of many Gods and has the divine grace to fulfil wishes, hopes and aspirations of a million seekers. 

And seek they do! From the Wodeyar kings and princes to ministers to commoners they come, day after day, with a prayer on their lips and hope in their hearts. The sparkling Dussehra of Mysore is inaugurated with supplications to Chamundeshwari Devi. She looks down over Mysore, and the universe – a serene sight under Her gaze.

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