Talking about the top travel destination of South India, the name of Mysore also comes in it where lakhs of people reach every year. Mysore, also known as Mysuru, is a land of rich historical and cultural heritage. The pride of Mysore is the fort here, whose sight becomes the main attraction here. But at the same time, there is a lot to offer for those interested in religious form. People also come to this city to have a glimpse of the many beautifully designed temples and buildings. The temples here and their ancient architecture attract a lot of people. Today in this episode, we are going to tell you about the famous temples of Mysore, seeing which you will have an unforgettable experience. So, if you come to see the Mysore palace, then you must visit these temples.

Chamundeshwari Temple
The most striking feature of the Chamundeshwari Temple is its intricate and ornate architectural style and carvings, which reflect the artistic culture of Mysore. This prestigious temple is one of the major religious places and is situated on the top of Chamundi Hills and is one of the oldest and most revered holy places. It is said that the temple was built in the 12th century. The biggest attraction of this temple is the idol of Nandi, which was built in the 17th century. The entire temple complex has wonderful carvings on the outer and inner walls as well as on the ceilings and pillars.

Nandi idol
Said to be carved out of a large rock, the Nandi idol is a statue dedicated to Nandi, the mount of Lord Shiva. Also known as the Bull Temple, it is situated on the top of the Chamundi hills. The statue is about four hundred years old and was built by Dodda Devaraja Wodeyar. The Nandi statue is the third largest in India. The temple is just behind the idol and is dedicated to Lord Shiva. There is a statue of Nandi in front of every temple dedicated to Lord Shiva. The statue is intricately made and is a beautiful sight to behold.

Swetha Varahaswamy Temple
Shveta Varahaswamy Temple is mentioned in the Diwan Purniaah which contains all the information about the Diwan of Mysore. The main ornate pillars and frescoes of this temple are worth seeing. Shweta Varahaswamy Temple is built in the form of Hoysala architecture. Interestingly, several inscriptions state that this temple was built from the ruins of the Hoysala temple at Shimoga.

Chennakesava Perumal Temple
This temple is situated near the city of Mysore and is famous among the temples of Mysore. Chennakeshava Temple has beautiful Hoysala architecture that will leave the onlooker spellbound. It has also been nominated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It is a Trikuta temple with three beautiful shrines. The walls of the temple depict the stories of Ramayana, Mahabharata, and famous mythological stories. The temple also has 16 different types of roofs.

Someshwar Temple
Someshwara Temple is one of the most visited religious places in Mysore. It was built by the Wodeyar dynasty in the 13th century. The Someshwara temple served as an important place of worship and celebration for the Wodeyar rulers. The temple has been built in a very royal manner. The temple has three shrines dedicated to Lord Shiva, Narayan, and Goddess Somasundari. The Shiva Linga here is believed to be centuries old. The best time to visit this temple is during Shiv Ratri or Dussehra when the temple is decorated and devotees celebrate these religious Hindu festivals with great enthusiasm here.

ISKCON temple
ISKCON or the International Society for Krishna Consciousness is one of the most famous religious places in India, and one such is located in Mysore, dedicated to Lord Krishna and Goddess Radha. People mostly come here to spend some time in peace in the temple. Along with this, daily worship path, kirtan, and innumerable rituals are also performed here. If you are coming here on a Sunday, do not leave without tasting the delicious Prasad here. Devotees sit here for a while and meditate on the Lord, while also participating in cultural and spiritual discourses presented by ISKCON. Janmashtami, Holi, Ekadashi, Gaur Purnima, and Radha Ashtami are celebrated with great enthusiasm here.

Gayatri Mandir
The Gayatri Temple was built by the last Maharaja of Mysore, Jayachamaraja Wodeyar, in 1953. He dedicated a temple to the goddess Devi and built three shrines. These temples are of Savitri, Gayatri, and Lakshmi. The idols in the temple are Lord Ganesha, Shiva, and Vishnu. One of the most renowned sculptors of Mysuru was entrusted with the making of the idols and they are certainly very beautiful. This temple is located in the Mysuru Palace Complex and is one of the many temples there.

Shri Kanteshwar Temple
It is situated amidst the mountains in Madurai district and one has to climb 300 steps to reach there. Local tribes worship at this famous temple in Nanjangud, a town 25 km from Mysore. It is indeed one of the best temples in Mysore. The Srikanteshwara temple houses a Shiva Linga, which was worshiped by sage Gautama in ancient times. The temple has a stunning Dravidian-style gopura. This Shivling is grand, majestic, and more than a hundred years old. The temple also has many beautiful deities of Nataraja, Ganesha, and Parvati. Prasad made of jaggery, ghee, and rice is served here.

Bhuvaneshwari Temple
Bhuvaneshwari Temple was built in the 1950s and is dedicated to Goddess Bhuvaneshwari. The temple follows the traditional Dravidian style of temple architecture prevalent in South India. One of the major attractions of the site is the high-rising Surya Mandal, an ornate gateway with unique intricate sculptures. It was gifted to the temple by Mandal ruler Jayachamaraj Wodeyar and is constructed of pure copper. Every year in the first two months special prayers are offered to the Surya Mandal. It is one of the festivals that attracts tourists and locals to Bhuvaneshwari Temple.

Mallikarjuna Swamy
It is an ancient temple dedicated to the lingam of Mallikarjuna Swamy and the goddess Brahmarambigai. Footprints can also be seen on the lingam, which is believed to belong to Kamdhenu. Veerabadrar, Sandhya Ganapati Sannidhi, and Chamundeshwari are also located within the complex. If you happen to be visiting the temple during January and February, you might get a chance to attend a fascinating week-long agricultural fair here. Awadhi Vaikuntha Nathar and Veera Anjaneya Koli are two more temples located near this temple.

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