Now Mysuru, Mysore has many gardens, museums, palaces and many temples making the city a popular tourist spot of South India. Listed below are some beautiful temples that hold religious significance and a rich history.

Chamundeshwari Temple:

Located on top of Chamundi Hills, this ancient temple is dedicated to Goddess Chamundeshwari or Durga, the form of Shakthi. The temple is believed to have been built in the 12^th century. It is a quadrangular structure built in Dravidian style with a seven tier gopura. The deity of Chamundeshwari has devotees offering prayers since the time of the Wodeyars, the Maharajas of Mysore. The Devi was their home deity. Chamundi Hills is at a height of around 3500 feet and is a natural beauty as it is a habitat of birds, trees and animals. The view of many of the places of Mysore city from here is spectacular especially during Dasara when the city is lit up. A statue of Mahishasura near the temple is another attraction.

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Nandi Temple:

Near to Chamundeshwari temple is the Shiva Temple with the famous Nandi statue. The monolithic rock statue of Nandi is the third largest in India. It is around four hundred years old and was built during the reign of Dodda Devaraj Wodeyar.

Monolith Nandi near Chamundeshwari Temple

Someshwara Temple:

Situated in the northern side of Mysuru Palace, the Someshwara Temple was built in the 13^th century by the Wodeyars. It holds a regal look with a beautiful frontage. The temple is devoted to three deities; Someshwara or Shiva, Goddess Parvathi and Lord Narayana. The idols date back to a century. The temple is busy with festivities during Dasara when devotees throng the place.

Photo Credit: Megasasta.com

Gayathri Temple:

Gayathri Temple was built by the last Maharaja of Mysuru, JayachamarajaWodeyar and is located in the Mysuru Palace premises. Dedicated to Devi, the temple has three shrines, one of Gayathri, Lakshmi and Savithri. The other statutes are of Ganesha, Vishnu and Shiva. All the idols are beautifully sculpted and the fact comes across as highly skilled sculptors were engaged for the task.

Photo Credit: Srigayathridevi.com

Bhuvaneshwari Temple:

Another Devi temple located in the premises of the Mysuru Palace, the Bhuvaneshwari Temple is built in the Dravidian style of architecture common to most South Indian temples. The temple has many idols; Ganesha, Chamundeshwari, Vishnu, Surya and Maheshwara are some of them. A large Surya Mandala of the temple is a huge attraction. The copper plate of the Mandala was handed by JayachamarajaWodeyar to the temple. Special poojas on Rathasapthami festival draws devotees to the temple during the months of February and March.

Photo Credit: Mysoreind.in

The temples of Mysuru give a glimpse of the royalty that has always been an integral part of the history of Mysuru.