The Chamundeshwari Temple is located atop
Chamundi Hills, about 13 km from Mysore. Chamundeshwari is the tutelary deity
of Mysore Maharajas, Wodeyars. Dodda Devaraja Wodeyar who ruled from 1659
to1673 is attributed to have built a flight of one thousand steps leading up to
the 3500 foot Chamundeshwari Temple. Around the 800th step huge granite Nandi
has been carved out of the boulder. The creation of this colossal image is also
attributed to Dodda Devaraja Wodeyar. It is easily accessible either by road or
steps.
According to Hindu mythology Nandi is
considered as the vehicle (mount) of Lord Shiva, the lord of destruction. In
front of every Shiva temple, on the court facing the shrine, Nandi statue will
be seen. However, this is one of the few standalone statues, measuring about 16
ft in height and 24 ft in width, carved out of a single boulder. The whole
image sits on a 4 feet high platform. The Nandi is portrayed in sitting
position with its left foreleg folded in an about to get up posture. Many
sequences of bells and garlands are dexterously carved over the Nandi. With his
ears pointed in rapt attention, the expression on the face is something not to
be missed.
The centuries-old structure, after being
built, was rubbed with coconut oil to prevent it from cracking. Also, since
many years, rituals like Abhishekas were performed on the statue. This had
resulted layers of deposits of oil, dirt and dust on the statue that had turned
black due to environmental heat. Many devotees used to throw coins, thinkig that
their wish will be fulfilled if it sticks, while a few others used to stick
coins. Archaeological Department has recently cleaned the statue using
high-power water jets, washing off oil and other deposits that had accumulated
on it since years.
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