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A historically and culturally important city in the heart of Karnataka, Mysore or Mysuru is an often visited tourist destination. Known for its sandalwood, silk, and rich history, Mysore is also a city where Hindu temples thrive. A visit to Mysore remains incomplete without witnessing the grand architecture, intriguing carvings, and magnificent sculptures of the temples in town.
A perfect day exploring the city should be filled with the sweetness of Mysore Pak, the aroma of Masala Dosa, and the peace found at Nimishamba Temple Mysore or Sri Ranganatha Swamy Temple Mysore. If you wish to experience the sublime heritage of a Mysore temple, the following list of the famous and well-regarded temples in Mysore might be useful for you.
Here are 7 Mysore temples to visit on your next trip
1. Chamundeshwari Temple
One place that must feature on your Mysore itinerary is the Chamunda Temple Mysore. Popularly known as Mysore Samundeeswari Temple or the Chamundeshwari Temple, this Hindu temple stands tall at an altitude of 1000 ft. Located on the Chamundi Hills in Mysore, Karnataka, this temple is dedicated to the worship of Goddess Chamundeshwari (another name for Goddess Durga). The temple also features statues of Nandi and Mahishasura, the demons. One of the oldest temples in town, Chamundeshwari Mysore, is regarded as a Shakti Peetha and is one of the 18 Maha Shakti Peethas.
Location: Chamundi Hill, Mysuru, Karnataka
Entry fee: NA
Timings: 7:30 am to 2:00 pm, 3:30 pm to 6:00 pm & 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm
2. Mallikarjuna Temple
The Mallikarjuna Temple in Mysore is the next in line to visit on your heritage trip to Mysore. This temple is dedicated to the worship of a lingam of Mallikarjuna Swamy and Goddess Bhramari Ambigai. The temple complex also has idols of Veerabadrar, Sandhya Ganapathi Sannadhis, and Chamundeeswari. A visit to Mallikarjuna Temple between January and February lets you witness the fascinating agricultural fair that continues for a week. The Veera Anjaneya Koli and Anaadhi Vaikunta Nathar are other temples nearby that you can visit.
Location: Mudukuthore, Mysore, Karnataka
Entry fee: Rs 20 per person for Indian
Timings: 8:00 am to 6:00 pm
3. Somanathapura Temple
A popular Mysore temple you cannot miss is the Somanathapura Temple. The temple lies in the tranquil town of Somanathapura on the banks of the holy river Kaveri. The Somanathapura Temple worships Shri Chennakeshava Swamy and is a Vaishnav Hindu Temple at the core. Built in 1258 CE by the kings of the Hoysala Empire, this temple is no longer used as a place of worship. However, it still attracts thousands of visitors to witness the marvellous engineering achievements and artistic brilliance of the place that was truly ahead of its time. A stroll here admiring the unparalleled beauty of the Lord’s creation can be blissful. The Chennakesava temple is among the 1500 temples constructed by the Hoysala kings and is a true testament to the unique Hoysala temple style. It is one of the three temples of the Hoysala style to be nominated in the Unesco World Heritage list.
Location: Somanathapura, Karnataka
Entry fee: Rs 20 per person for Indians & Rs 25 for foreigners
Timings: 9:00 am to 5:30 pm
4. Trinesvaraswamy Temple
A Mysore temple standing tall for over 450 years, the Trinesvaraswamy Temple lies within the Mysore Palace premises. Located just outside the Mysore Fort, this ancient temple is dedicated to worshipping Lord Trinesvara, or the three-eyed Shiva. Despite the temple's gopura being destroyed in the 18th century, it is still an architectural marvel presenting the larger-than-life Dravidian style of architecture.
Location: Mysore Palace, Kille Mohalla, Agrahara, Chamrajpura, Mysuru, Karnataka
Entry fee: NA
Timings: 6:00 am to 7:00 pm
5. Srikanteshwara Temple
Yet another architectural testament to the Dravidian style is the Srikanteshwara Temple, Mysore. The temple is dedicated to worshipping Lord Shiva and is celebrated for its divine spirit. With a 125-foot-tall gopura and 7 gold kalash, this temple is believed to have healing powers. It is definitely a must-visit on your Mysore trip!
Location: 2nd Stage, R.S.Naidu Nagar, Hale Kesare, Mysuru, Karnataka
Entry fee: NA
Timings: 6:00 am to 8:00 pm
6. Venugopala Swamy Temple
The Venugopala Swamy Temple is located at Hosa Kannambadi, near Krishna Raja Sagara Dam in Mysore. This temple is dedicated to worshipping Lord Venugopala (a form of Lord Krishna) and is one of the most revered temples in town. The Venugopala Swamy Temple has a rich history from the 18th century. It was built by the Wodeyar Kings of Mysore and is a true testament to their patronage of religion, art, and culture. It is a must-visit if observing the nuances of different architectural styles interests you.
Location: KrishnaRajaSagara Dam, Kannambadi, Karnataka
Entry fee: NA
Timings: 7:00 am to 12:00 pm & 6:00 pm to 8:30 pm
7. Shree Bhuvaneshwari Temple
Yet another temple located within the Mysore Palace premises, the Bhuvaneshwari Temple, has a rich and captivating history and architecture. It's dedicated to the worship of Goddess Bhuvaneshwari and is one of the most visited Mysore temples. The temple also houses statues of Maha Vishnu, Surya, Maheswara, Ganapathi, Rajarajeswari, and Chamundeswari. A special prayer is performed in the Surya Mandal of the temple in the first two months of the year. Naturally, this period witnessed the highest number of devotee visits. If you wish to reconnect with your spiritual side, visiting the Bhuvaneshwari Temple is highly recommended.
Location: Palace North Gate, Mysore Palace, Albert Victor Rd, Agrahara, Chamrajpura, Mysuru, Karnataka
Entry fee: Rs 40 per person to enter Mysore Palace
Timings: 8:30 am to 12:00 pm & 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm
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