The original shrine is thought to have been built in the 12th century by Hoysala rulers while its tower was probably built by the Vijayanagar rulers of the 17th century.
In 1659, a flight of one thousand steps was built leading up to the 3000-foot summit of the hill.

At the temple are several images of Nandi (the bull mount of Shiva).
There is a huge granite Nandi on the 700th step on the hill in front of a small Shiva temple a short distance away.
This Nandi is over 15 feet high, and 24 feet long and around its neck are exquisite bells.

The temple is famous for the celebrations of festivals like Aashada Shukravara, Navaratri and Ammanavara Vardhanthi.
In the month of Ashadha, Fridays are considered particularly auspicious.
Lakhs of devotees throng the temple during this occasion.
Another festival celebrated during this month is Chamundi Jayanti.
This day is celebrated on the anniversary of the consecration of the utsava murthy of the goddess by the Maharaja of Mysore.
On this occasion, the goddess's icon is taken around the temple in a golden palanquin.

The most important festival that is celebrated here is Navaratri.
Mysore Dasara is celebrated as the state festival of Karnataka, called Nadahabba in Kannada.
During Navaratri, the Goddess is decorated in 9 different ways to depict nine different aspects of the goddess.
On the 7th day of Navaratri that is Kaalaratri, valuable jewels donated by Maharajas are brought from the District Treasury of Mysuru and decorated to Chamundi.

Another temple is situated at the foothill which is in Utthanahalli called as Jwalamuki Shri Tripurasundari Temple.
This goddess is considered the sister of Chamundi who helped her at the battlefield to slay the demon Raktabīja.
The original shrine is thought to have been built in the 12th century by Hoysala rulers while its tower was probably built by the Vijayanagar rulers of the 17th century. In 1659, a flight of one thousand steps was built leading up to the 3000-foot summit of the hill.
At the temple are several images of Nandi (the bull mount of Shiva). There is a huge granite Nandi on the 700th step on the hill in front of a small Shiva temple a short distance away. This Nandi is over 15 feet high, and 24 feet long and around its neck are exquisite bells.
The temple is famous for the celebrations of festivals like Aashada Shukravara, Navaratri and Ammanavara Vardhanthi. In the month of Ashadha, Fridays are considered particularly auspicious. Lakhs of devotees throng the temple during this occasion. Another festival celebrated during this month is Chamundi Jayanti. This day is celebrated on the anniversary of the consecration of the utsava murthy of the goddess by the Maharaja of Mysore. On this occasion, the goddess's icon is taken around the temple in a golden palanquin. 
The most important festival that is celebrated here is Navaratri. Mysore Dasara is celebrated as the state festival of Karnataka, called Nadahabba in Kannada. During Navaratri, the Goddess is decorated in 9 different ways to depict nine different aspects of the goddess. On the 7th day of Navaratri that is Kaalaratri, valuable jewels donated by Maharajas are brought from the District Treasury of Mysuru and decorated to Chamundi.
Another temple is situated at the foothill which is in Utthanahalli called as Jwalamuki Shri Tripurasundari Temple. This goddess is considered the sister of Chamundi who helped her at the battlefield to slay the demon Raktabīja.
Chamundeshwari Temple