BY PRAGYANSHARMA POLAVARAPU
(1)
MY DIARY DATED 2-3-04—ABOUT OUR VISIT TO THE HILL TOP TEMPLE OF
THE GREAT GODDESS SRI CHAMUNDESWARI
It was
only 6pm(2-3-04) and was not yet dark.
We had still the most important( fixed)
program of visit to the famed Sri Chamundeswari Temple on the hill. We
immediately took an auto to the bus stand. Luckily there was a bus about to
leave for Sri Chamundeswari hill and we entered it . We all could get seats . It has to be noted that all through the day
and also in the evenings there are
sufficient vehicles, government buses and private cabs, for taking people to the hill top every 15
minutes.
The bus
moved speedily through the wide roads. After travelling for a time through the outskirts the bus started climbing the hill and entered the forest area . Quickly it was gaining
height. The grand royal palace (the main royal palace complex) and the
famous and the most beautiful majestic Lalith
Mahal palace (shining like a dazzling precious gem and now an
international luxury hotel) became
smaller in size and more distant and looked like toy palaces . Hundreds of
buildings in a large residential areas where houses were closely packed were
visible far down below like toy houses.There is a thick
parapet wall all along the kilometers long road which circled many times round the vast
forested hill. Buses ,cars and two wheelers were going up and coming down
carefully at a steady speed. In some sections long stretches of forest trees obstructed our
view .
Our bus climbed
up and up the big hill on the winding road. After about 20 minutes the road entered the very
vast flat table-like area at the top where the temple and a old royal
palace( the Rajendra Vilas palace now under extensive repair) were situated.It
is said that the goddess Chamundeswari is family goddess of kings of Wadiar
dynasty and it is said that the Wadiar kings considered all their kingdom and
wealth a gift from the goddess. The temple tower is directly visible from the main royal palace and
it is said that the royal family could offer
their prayers to the goddess daily from their palace. The Rajendra Vilas palace
on the hill was said to have been used as summer resort by the royal family but
is now closed for major repairs.
(2)
Just
before we entered the vast flat temple area, we saw at a little distance down, the huge statue. It was said to be of an
ancient demon king named Mahishasura who ruled the area thousands of years ago.
In his upraised hand the demon king carries
a sword. The area was perhaps a forest
kingdom thousands years back. Mythology says
goddess Chamundeswari(
a form of mother goddess Parvathi)
killed Mahishasura after a fierce fight.
By the
time we arrived there were hundreds of
devotees. There were huge crowds . There
was also a busy bazar on the hill selling
flowers, fruits, coconuts, incense sticks
etc necessary for the the puja of the mother goddess. There were also
shops selling little metal statues of gods and little bells and toys for
children and there were also a few sweet shops . There was a quite a big rush
of devotees .
The hill
temple is a famed spiritual place inspiring people of surrounding towns and
cities. The goddess is especially greatly venerated by people of Mysore city. The temple with its majestic
location on a high hill acts like a magnet and attracts traditional people visiting Mysore city . In the temple bazar colourful photos of temple
and the goddess and photos of Mahishasura’s
statue etc are sold. We saw even
shops selling gadgets like binoculars,
pocket radios and small audio cassette
players etc.We secured the shoes in designated place and joined the Q line .
The
priests had not yet opened the gates for evening prayers. All were waiting. We
heard that the family of a prince of the
royal household was to visit at 7-30 pm
.Luckily we got tickets early and there was no difficulty for us . The temple
premises were soon brightly lighted and dazzled in the electric lights. There
was continuous bustle and noise .
We had
darshan of the mighty goddess and we made our offerings. We felt immensely
happy having darshan of the goddess and seeing the majestic statues. The scent of incense
filled atmosphere inside the temple. The holy sight of the goddess in the dull
light of big oil lamps was a sight that could not be never be forgotten. There
was melodious sound of ringing of holy bells by the priests and the chanting of
holy hymns.. We had Prasadam and holy Theertham. There was heavy scent of
incense. We sat for a few minutes,took the coconut
prasadam and finally got up to leave. The return bus was also ready . What a
wonderful ride down hill.
It was
already completely dark. In our return journey We had a glimpse
of the giant monolithic Nandi statue ,built 300,400 years
ago under orders and inspiration of a the then maharaja of Mysuru. it was well
lighted by the bright electric lights and many devotees stopped and offered
prayers to Nandiswara who is vehicle of Lord Shiva. While the Mahishasura statue appears beside the road when
we were going up ,the giant sized and awe inspiring Nandi statue appears in another
section of the winding road while the vehicles are on the downward journey.
(3)
In the
darkness the city down below appeared like a vast black carpet on which thousands of dazzling diaminds were stitched. The
beautiful sight mesmerises every person travelling on the temple road in
night hours. The city below truly became a diamond studded carpet. The sight was most
unforgettable.
Soon after the bus arrived at bus station we
proceeded in a auto to our hotel and
after freshening up went down to the dining hall of hotel to have
food. The food was good. Both my daughters ordered special dishes . All of us
had fruit salad . In the room we discussed
next day’s program i.e. the trip to ooty. I phoned to the tourist
guide(who was managing all our tour) to remind him of our next program . We
should reach the bus stand by 7-30 am
next morning. We set the alarm to 4am next morning and slipped into sleep.
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