Chamundi Hills

About Chamundi Hills:

• It is located in the city of Mysore, Karnataka.
• The average elevation  is 1,060 meters.
• The famous Sri Chamundeshwari Temple dedicated to the Hindu goddess Chamundeshwari is situated on top of Chamundi hills.
• In the earlier days, the Hill was identified as ‘Mahabaladri’ in honour of God Shiva who resides in the ‘Mahabaleswara Temple’. This is the oldest temple on the hills.
• These hills have been mentioned in the ancient Hindu scriptures such as ‘Skanda Purana’.

Sri Chamundeshwari Temple:

• It is dedicated to the Goddess Chamundeshwari (Chamundi), deity of the Mysore Royal Family.
• This temple is about 1000 steps from the foot of the Chamundi hills.
• It is built in the Dravidian style of temple architecture.
• The temple has a quadrangular structure. 
• It has an impressive seven-tier tower called ‘gopuram’ or ‘gopura’ and an equally imposing entrance which is known as ‘dwara’.

What is Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD) Scheme?

• The Government of India launched the PRASHAD scheme in the year 2014-2015 under the Ministry of Tourism.
• Is a Central Sector Scheme with complete financial assistance by the Government of India. 
• This scheme focuses on developing and identifying pilgrimage sites across India for enriching the religious tourism experience. 
• It aims to integrate pilgrimage destinations in a prioritized, planned and sustainable manner to provide a complete religious tourism experience. The growth of domestic tourism hugely depends on pilgrimage tourism.

Q1) Who is the Goddess Chamundeshwari?

Chamundi is the slayer of demon Mahishasura.  The Mysore Chamundi Hill got the name because the goddess resides there as Mahishasuramradhini, the slayer of the demon Mahisha.

Source: Citizens to press for heritage committee’s approval, stakeholders involvement in implementing PRASHAD scheme on Chamundi Hills.
 

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