Darshan timings at Sri Chamundeshwari
| Season | Opens | Darshan | Closes | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Regular day, morning | 7:30 AM | General darshan | 2:00 PM | Open |
| Regular day, midday break | 2:00 PM | Sanctum closed | 3:30 PM | Open |
| Regular day, evening | 3:30 PM | General darshan | 6:00 PM | Open |
| Regular day, night | 7:30 PM | General darshan | 9:00 PM | Open |
| Ashada Fridays & Navaratri/Dasara | Early | Extended hours, very heavy crowds | Late night | Open |
Read the full Timings & Darshan Hours →
How to reach Sri Chamundeshwari Temple, Mysore
The shrine sits on top of Chamundi Hills southeast of Mysuru. You can drive the 13 km ghat road right up to the temple, take a KSRTC or private bus, or climb the historic 1,000 stone steps from the base near Lalitha Mahal for the pilgrim's route past the Nandi.
| Mode | Point | Distance | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nearest railway station | Mysuru Junction (Mysore City) | Approx 13 km to the hilltop | Well connected to Bengaluru, Chennai and Hubballi; take a taxi or bus up the ghat road from here. |
| Nearest airport | Mysuru Airport, Mandakalli | Approx 20 km | Limited flights. Kempegowda International, Bengaluru (approx 185 km) is the main gateway with car/bus onward. |
| By road from Mysuru city | Mysuru Palace / city centre | Approx 13 km | KSRTC city buses to the top run frequently; taxis and autos also available. The ghat road is steep and winding. |
| By road from Bengaluru | Bengaluru | Approx 145 to 150 km | Roughly 3 to 3.5 hours via the Mysuru highway, then up Chamundi Hills. |
| On foot | Base of the steps near Lalitha Mahal side | 1,000 stone steps to the summit | The traditional climb passes the giant monolithic Nandi at around step 700; many pilgrims walk up and bus down. |
Puja & aarti schedule
- Morning abhisheka & mangalarathiApprox 6:00 to 7:30 AM (before general darshan)
- Alankara darshan (goddess adorned)Morning, after abhisheka
- Midday mahamangalarathi & naivedyaApprox 1:00 to 2:00 PM
- Rahukala puja (Tuesdays & Fridays)Evening, considered especially potent for the Devi
- Evening deepalankara & mangalarathiApprox 8:00 to 9:00 PM
Read the full Aarti & Puja Schedule →
Dress code & temple rules
Wear modest, traditional attire; men in dhoti/kurta or full-length trousers, women in saree, salwar-kameez or long skirts are ideal for a Shakti shrine.
Avoid shorts, mini-skirts, sleeveless tops and torn or beachwear-style clothing out of respect at the sanctum.
Footwear must be removed before entering the temple; leave slippers at the stands outside.
Photography is generally not permitted inside the sanctum; follow the priests' and staff instructions.
Expect long, slow-moving queues on weekends, Fridays, Tuesdays and festival days; carry water and be patient in the heat.
A paid quick/special darshan ticket lets you skip part of the free-darshan queue on busy days (price approx, confirm at the counter).
Read the full Dress Code & Temple Rules →
Best time to visit & festivals
Chamundeshwari is a year-round hill shrine, but the mood swings from quiet weekday devotion to the full royal spectacle of Dasara. The cooler, drier months from roughly October to February are the most comfortable for the climb and the views over Mysuru.
| Festival | When | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| Navaratri / Mysuru Dasara | September to October (Ashwina month) | The great ten-day festival of the goddess and the state festival of Karnataka; Chamundeshwari is decorated in nine forms over nine nights, royal jewels adorn the idol, and the celebration links directly to the world-famous Mysuru Dasara Jamboo Savari procession. Peak |
| Ashada Shukravara | July to August (Fridays in Ashadha) | The Fridays of Ashadha are especially auspicious for the Devi, drawing very large crowds for special abhisheka and alankara. |
| Chamundi Jayanti | Varies by lunar calendar | Marks the consecration anniversary of the goddess's idol, observed with special pujas. |
| Rathotsava (temple car festival) | Annual, per temple calendar | The ceremonial chariot procession of the goddess around the hilltop, a major draw for devotees. |
Read the full Best Time to Visit & Festivals →
Nearby temples & tirths
Sringeri Sharada Peetham
Adi Shankara's first matha and the Sharada (Saraswati) shrine on the Tunga, deep in Karnataka's Malnad.
Kukke Subramanya
Serpent-god Subramanya shrine famed for Sarpa Samskara / Ashlesha Bali dosha remedies.
Sri Manjunatha, Dharmasthala
Renowned Shiva kshetra run on the ideals of dharma, with free anna-daana to lakhs of pilgrims.
Read the full Nearby Temples & Tirths →
Where to stay
Most pilgrims base themselves in Mysuru city, 13 km below, which has the widest choice of stays: heritage and mid-range hotels near the Palace and Nazarbad, budget lodges clustered around Mysuru Junction and the KSRTC bus stand, and government-run options such as KSTDC Hotel Mayura Hoysala. On the hill itself, accommodation is limited, so a city base with an early-morning drive or climb up Chamundi Hills is the usual plan. During Dasara, rooms fill and rates spike weeks ahead, so book early.
Frequently asked questions
Chamundeshwari temple Mysore timings today
nearest railway station to Chamundeshwari temple
is Chamundeshwari temple open during Dasara
how many steps to Chamundeshwari temple Mysore
how far is Chamundeshwari temple from Mysore city
Compiled from public sources including Wikipedia: Chamundeshwari Temple · Wikimedia Commons: File:Chamundeshwari_Temple_Mysore.jpg · Karnataka.com: Chamundi Hill, Mysore. Timings and seasonal closures change; confirm with the temple trust before travelling.