Rajarajeswari Polali DT Nt pg 8 - Page 16

The penance undertaken by Mother Kamakshi is of a highest order which none could imagine. She made five Agni Kundas fire pits. She stood near the central pit keeping Her left toe touching the fire, placed the right leg on the left thigh. She kept Her left hand near Her naval part, held the right hand with a japa mala above Her head. Her beautiful eyes were closed to feel the hands of Lord. She undertook this peanace in holy Mangadu.

This scene is beautifully sculptured in the temple. Devotees have four Ambikas for darshan in the temple.
1) As Sri Chakra,
2) Adhi Kamakshi made of Panchaloka metals,
3) Kamakshi doing penance amidst the five Agni Kundas and
4) the small Lamp burning near Adi Kamakshi revered as Ambika Herself.

The darshan of all Ambicas can be had simultaneously from the mandap. Ambika in the sanctum sanctorum is holding a parrot in the right hand and the crescent moon on the head. It is noteworthy that the tradition of felicitating a person for his/her winning an exam with distinction or any tough competition with the success of standing on a single leg began from the penance posture of Mother Kamakshi.

The condition of penance was not made easy or relaxed even for the consort of Lord. Mangadu has an added importance. When Emperor Bali offered three feet of land to Lord Vamana the dwarf, knowing the design of the Lord, planet -Shukracharya intervened to stop Bali from the offering.

He blocked the Jal Patra the water bowl. Lord Vamana used a darba grass to remove the block and thus made Shukra blind in one eye. To get back his eyes, Shukra also performed penance on Lord Shiva in this place when Kamakshi also was doing penance.

Lord Shiva appeared before Shukra the devotee first and granted his eye back. Priority was to a devotee. When Lord Shiva came to this place to acknowledge the penance of Kamakshi , Lord Vishnu too came here with gifts to His sister the bride.

When Lord Shiva and Mother Kamakshi left for Kancheepuram, Lord Vishnu too was to accompany them. But Maharshi Markandeya begged Perumal,Vishnu to stay in the place.

Obliging the Rishi, Perumal stayed here as Vaikunta Perumal with His discus and a ring in a finger showing his coming with gifts for His Sister.

He is praised as Seer Perumal Gift Perumal. A Homa-Nava Kalasa Homa with nine brass pots-Kalasas is conducted in the temple on full moon days. Nine forms of Shakti are personified in these Kalasas.

Pushpanjali is offered to Sri Chakra. Niraimani Darshan is another event celebrated in the temple on the Purattasi full moon day in September-October. Artha Mandap, Thapas Mandap and the front Mandap are decorated with sweets, fruits, vegetables and grains showing all prosperity.

Devotees believe that this Niraimani Darshan would bring all prosperity to the family. Three Mothers in the temple bless and please the devotees in their daily procession in a golden car in evenings daily.

Brahmmi, one of the Saptha Mathas is the driver (Sarathi) of the car. Nava Kannikas the nine virgins are around the car-rath. There is also a Kuthuvilakku perennially burning in the Mahamandap. Left of this is the shrine of Mother Thapas Kamakshi.

Chamundeswari

Devi Mahatmya says Chamunda emerged as Chandika from an eyebrow of goddess Ambika and was assigned the task of eliminating the demons Chanda and Munda, generals of demon kings Shumbha-Nishumbha. She fought a fierce battle with the demons, ultimately killing them.

Goddess Chandika took the slain heads of the two demons to goddess Ambika who became immensely pleased. She blessed Chandika and bestowed upon her the title of "Chamunda", to commemorate the latter's victory over the demons.

According to a later episode of Devi Mahatmya, Durga created Matrikas from herself and with their help slaughtered the demon army of Shumbha-Nisumha. In this version,Kali is described as a Matrika who sucked all the blood of the demon Raktabija. Kali is given the epithet Chamunda in the text.[11] Thus, the Devi Mahatmya identifies Chamunda with Kali.

In Varaha Purana, the story of Raktabija is retold, but here each of Matrikas appears from the body of another Matrika.

According to another legend, Chamunda appeared from the frown of the benign goddess Parvati to kill demons Chanda and Munda. Here, Chamunda is viewed as a form of Parvati.

Matsya Purana tells a different story of Chamunda's origins. She with other matrikas was created by Shiva to help him kill the demon Andhakasura, who has an ability - like Raktabija - to generate from his dripping blood. Chamunda with the other matrikas drinks the blood of the demon ultimately helping Shiva kill him.

Ratnakara, in his textHaravijaya, also describes this feat of Chamunda, but solely credits Chamunda, not the other matrikas of sipping the blood of Andhaka. Having drunk the blood, Chamunda's complexion changed to blood-red. The text further says that Chamunda does a dance of destruction, playing a musical instrument whose shaft is Mount Meru, the spring is the cosmic snake Shesha and gourd is the crescent moon.

Chamundeshwari Devi temple is one of the Ashta Dasha Shakthi Peethas, also known as Maha Shakthi Peetha. At the temple, Devi Sati's hair had fallen. Here Devi Sati is worshipped as Chamundeshwari. This Shakthi Peetha is also known as Krouncha Peetham. The temple was earlier known as Krouncha Puri.

The temple is located on a hill top in Mysore city, Karnataka and is about 13 kms from Mysore Palace. There is good road connectivity. State government operates regular bus services to the hill top. Nearest railway station is the Mysore station. From railway station, people have to take buses or hire private vehicles to reach the temple. The temple is at a height of 3489 feet. There are also 1000 steps leading to the temple. These steps were built by Dodda Devaraj Wodeyar in 1659. The hill top provides a panoramic view of the entire Mysore city.

On the hill top is the Mahabaladri or Mahabaleshwara temple, one of the oldest temples (built prior to the Hoysala rule- 12th century AD) dedicated to Lord Shiva. Lord Shiva is in Linga form in the temple. The other temple is the Lakshmi Narayanaswamy temple on the hill top. There is also the Lalithadri Palace which was used by the Maharajahs of Mysore when they visited the Chamundi hills. Lalithadri Palace was built during the reign of Krishnaraja Wodeyar

Chamundeshwari temple is an ancient temple, about 1000 years old. The three dynasty rulers namely, Vishnuvardhana of the Hoysala dynasty during 12th Century, Vijayanagara rulers during 17th Century and Mysore rulers have made significant contributions to the temple. The initial temple, a small structure was built in 12thCentury by Hoysala rulers. The temple was renovated and gained prominence after Wodeyars, the Mysore Maharajas came to power in 1399 AD.

Half way to the temple, on the 800th step is a beautiful black monolith 16 foot statue of Nandi, carved in granite. The beautiful carved statue was gifted by Dodda Devaraj Wodeyar in 1659. Mysore Maharajas were ardent worshippers of Chamundeshwari Devi. Devi Chamundeshwari also became their home deity.

The temple is a quadrangle structure built in Dravidian style of architecture. The temple consists of the main doorway, entrance, Navaranga Hall, Antharala Mantapa, Sanctum Sanctorum, and Prakara.

here is a seven tier Gopura, or Pyramid tower at the entrance with intricate carvings and a small tower, Vimana Gopura atop the sanctum Sanctorum. There are seven golden Kalashas on top of the "Shikara at the main entrance. The gopura was built by Krishna Raja Wodeyar in 1827 AD and the shrine was renovated. There is an image of Lord Ganesha at the entrance on the doorway. The doorway at the entrance is silver plated and has the images of goddesses carved in different forms. There are dwarapalakas on either side of the doorway. Inside the temple is a small image of Lord Ganesha on the right side. Then there are few steps leading to a flag post, where foot prints of the goddess and an image of Nandi facing the sanctum Sanctorum is seen. There is also an image of Lord Hanuman attached to a wall on the right side. At the entrance of the Sanctum Sanctorum are two dikpalakas, Nandini and Kamalini. In the "Antharala, prior to the Sanctum Sanctorum are the images of Lord Ganesha on the left side and an image of Lord Bhairava on the right side. A six foot image of Krishna Raja Wodeyar III in a standing position with hands folded can also be seen. On his either side are his three wives, Ramavilasa, Lakshmivilasa, and Krishnavilasa whose names are carved on the pedestal. Small images of gods and goddess can also be seen in the "Prakara which are worshipped.

There is an incident when Chamaraja Wodeyar, an ardent devotee of the goddess was miraculously saved, when he was stuck by a lightning on his way to the temple. Krishna Raja Wodeyar gifted a Simha Vahana (a lion shaped vehicle) used during car festivals and other religious occasions. The Mysore Maharajas have gifted a number of valuable jewellery to the deity.

At the Chamundeshwari Devi temple, Chamundeshwari is worshipped as the incarnation of Parvati. She is also worshipped in the Shakthi form the slayer of demons "Chanda and "Munda and also "Mahishasura, the buffalo headed demon. Chamundeshwari Devi is the tutelary (guardian) deity of Mysore. She is also the presiding deity of Mysore. The temple also has a jewel Nakshatra Malike (diamond studded necklace) with 30 Sanskrit shlokas inscribed on it. Inside the sanctum the deity made of stone is in a sitting position. The goddess has ashta bhujas or eight shoulders. Sage Markandeya installed the image at the temple.

There is a mention in Skanda Purana about a place called "Trimuta Kshetra surrounded by eight hills. Chamundi Hills is one of the eight hills. The hills were referred to as Mahabaladri hills in earlier days.

Another reference is that Chamundeshwari Devi killed the demon, Mahishasura on the Chamundi hills.

Goddess Chamundeshwari Devi is decorated and worshipped daily. Earlier human and animal sacrifices were offered to the goddess. However, since 18th century, only coconuts, fruits and flowers are offered to the goddess, with a complete ban on human and animal sacrifices. Tuesdays and Fridays are considered auspicious for worshipping the deity.

Dasara is celebrated with great fervour during Ashvija masa ( Sep- Oct). Mysore Dasara is celebrated as state festival. Special poojas and yagnas are performed for Chamundeswari Devi during Navaratri. During Navaratri, Chamundeshwari Devi is worshipped as Nava Shakthi in nine different forms.

During Dasara festival, Mysore city draws people from all over the country and abroad every year. Mysore Palace illumination during Dasara is a major tourist attraction. Jambo savari on Vijayadashmi day is a big draw among people. On Vijayadashmi day, a procession is taken out, where in an elephant carries the idol of Chamundeshwari Devi in a 700 kg golden howdah. (in the earlier days, the Mysore Maharajah would be carried in the golden howdah. Since the passing away of the Mysore Maharajah, idol of Chamundeshwari Devi is carried in the golden howdah)

Devi Chamundeshwari is believed to fulfil all the desires of her worshippers.