Chamundi Hills Mysore: Temple Timings, How to Reach & Complete Visitor Guide

Chamundi Hills is one of those places in Mysuru that works for almost any kind of traveler — pilgrims come for the temple, history buffs come for the legend behind it, and everyone else comes for the view over the city from the top. Here’s a complete, practical guide to visiting.

About the Temple

The Chamundeshwari Temple sits at the summit of Chamundi Hills, roughly 1,000 meters above sea level, dedicated to Goddess Chamundeshwari — a form of Durga, and the presiding deity long revered by the erstwhile rulers of Mysore. The temple holds real religious significance beyond the region too: it’s counted among the 18 Maha Shakti Peethas, a set of shrines considered especially sacred in Shakta tradition.

According to local legend, this is the spot where the goddess slayed the demon Mahishasura — a story that also explains the city’s name, since “Mysuru” is believed to derive from “Mahishasura.” The original shrine here is thought to date back to the 12th century under Hoysala rule, with later expansion during the Vijayanagara period, and further patronage from the Wadiyar maharajas over the centuries that followed.

Temple Timings

The temple follows a two-session schedule rather than staying open continuously through the day:

Morning session: approximately 5:30 AM to 1:30 PM
Evening session: approximately 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM (some sources list slightly later closing hours, so it’s worth checking locally if you’re planning a late-evening visit)

General darshan (temple entry) has no entry fee. If you’d prefer a shorter wait, a special/quick darshan option is typically available for a fee, commonly cited around ₹100, with an additional lower-priced special darshan option around ₹30 also mentioned in some listings — the exact pricing structure has been described a little differently across sources, so treat these as approximate and confirm at the temple counter.

Getting to the Top: Stairs or Road

There are two ways up Chamundi Hills, and which one you pick changes the whole character of the visit:

By road: The straightforward option — drive up yourself, hire a cab, or take a bus. This is by far the easier route for families, elderly travelers, or anyone short on time, and it’s how most visitors reach the temple today.

By the stone steps: For those who want the traditional pilgrim experience, a flight of roughly 1,000 stone-cut steps (built in 1659) leads from the base of the hill to the temple. Partway up, around the 700th step, you’ll pass a striking 15-foot stone Nandi statue — a popular stop even for visitors who are driving up, since many people walk just this section on foot before continuing by vehicle. Climbing the full staircase is a serious undertaking, particularly in Mysuru’s heat, so it’s not something to attempt casually without water and reasonable fitness.

How to Reach Chamundi Hills

Chamundi Hills is located about 13–14 km from Mysuru city center.

By bus: KSRTC buses run from Mysuru City Bus Stand up to the hill fairly frequently — commonly cited as running roughly every 15–20 minutes — making this an easy, low-cost option if you’re not driving yourself.
By taxi or auto-rickshaw: Widely available from anywhere in Mysuru city; the drive takes around 30–40 minutes depending on traffic.
By car: If you’re driving, Chamundi Hill Road takes you directly to the summit, and parking is available near the temple, though spaces fill up quickly on weekends, holidays, and during the evening rush before sunset.

The nearest airport and railway station are both in Mysuru, roughly 13–15 km away.

Best Time to Visit

Time of day: Early morning and late afternoon are both good options, for different reasons. Morning brings cooler air and shorter queues, making it the better choice if darshan itself is your priority. Late afternoon works well if you want to combine your temple visit with watching the sunset over Mysuru city from the hilltop — the panoramic view from up here is one of the best in the region.

Time of year: October to March remains the most comfortable window, avoiding both the peak summer heat and the monsoon’s slippery hill roads. That said, September and October also bring the Navratri and Dasara season, when the temple sees a significant spike in visitors — worth knowing if you’re hoping for a quieter visit, since crowds during this period can be considerably heavier than the rest of the year.

Day of the week: Weekdays are noticeably calmer than weekends, and Tuesdays and Fridays in particular tend to draw larger numbers of local devotees, based on established local visiting patterns — so if crowd-avoidance is your priority, a Wednesday or Thursday visit tends to work best.

Beyond the Temple: What Else Is on the Hill

A trip up Chamundi Hills isn’t only about the temple itself. Along the way and around the summit, you’ll find:

The large Nandi statue at the 700th step, a popular photo stop
Panoramic viewpoints over Mysuru city, especially rewarding at sunset and during Dasara when the city below is lit up
A statue commemorating Mahishasura, tied to the mythology behind the hill’s name
Opportunities for a short, scenic walk or light trek for those who enjoy the hill’s greenery beyond just the temple visit

Practical Tips

Dress modestly — this is an active place of worship, not just a tourist attraction, and appropriate clothing is expected.
Photography is generally not permitted inside the temple itself, though the surrounding hilltop and viewpoints are fine for photos.
Carry water, especially if you’re climbing any portion of the stairs — there’s limited shade along the route.
Avoid wandering alone after dark on the hill’s forested sections, as parts of the area are known to have wildlife activity.
Plastic items are discouraged in parts of the temple complex as part of local conservation efforts, so consider carrying a reusable bottle rather than disposable plastic.

Quick Reference

Detail	Information
Distance from Mysuru	~13–14 km
Morning darshan	~5:30 AM – 1:30 PM
Evening darshan	~3:30 PM – 5:30 PM
General entry	Free
Special darshan	~₹30–₹100 (confirm locally)
Best months	October to March
Best time of day	Early morning or late afternoon
Steps to the top	Approx. 1,000

If you’re planning a full day around Mysuru’s landmarks, Chamundi Hills pairs naturally with a visit to Mysore Palace and Karanji Lake, both a short drive away in the city below.