Chamundeshwari Temple darshan timings run in three separate blocks, not one long stretch from morning to night. That single detail decides whether your trip up Chamundi Hill ends at the sanctum or at a closed door. Most pages still print “7.30 am to 9 pm”, so families who reach the hilltop at 2.30 pm get turned back.
Below is the schedule published by the Sri Chamundeshwari Temple Development Authority. You will also find the current ticket options, the traffic rules that changed during Ashada 2026, and the fallbacks nobody tells you about.
Temples Map is an independent temple guide. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or the official website of the Sri Chamundeshwari Temple Development Authority or the Government of Karnataka. We do not accept bookings, donations or payments. For tickets, sevas and rooms, use the official portal: chamundeshwaritemple.in.
Chamundeshwari Temple Darshan Timings at a Glance
If you only read one section, read this one. It condenses the Chamundeshwari Temple darshan timings, the ticket picture and the hill access rules into a single screen.
- Darshan and pooja: 7.30 am to 2 pm, 3.30 pm to 6 pm, and 7.30 pm to 9 pm
- Abhisheka: 6 am to 7.30 am and 6 pm to 7.30 pm, though Friday morning starts at 5 am
- General darshan: free, with no advance booking needed
- Paid quick-entry tickets: sold at the counter and online, so confirm the live rate before you travel
- Dasoha (free meals): 7.30 am to 10 am, 12 pm to 3.30 pm, and 7.30 pm to 9 pm
- Distance: about 13 km from Mysuru city, up a winding hill road
- Watch out: private vehicles are banned from the hill on Ashada Fridays and their weekends
Chamundeshwari Temple Darshan Timings Today: The Full Daily Schedule
The Chamundeshwari Temple darshan timings today are 7.30 am to 2 pm, then 3.30 pm to 6 pm, and finally 7.30 pm to 9 pm. The shrine closes between those blocks for rituals and cleaning. So the two dead zones you must avoid are 2 pm to 3.30 pm and 6 pm to 7.30 pm.
| Session | Timing | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Morning abhisheka | 6 am to 7.30 am | Ticketed ritual; Friday starts earlier at 5 am |
| Morning darshan | 7.30 am to 2 pm | Longest block and the calmest on weekdays |
| Afternoon break | 2 pm to 3.30 pm | Sanctum closed to devotees |
| Evening darshan | 3.30 pm to 6 pm | Steady footfall, good light for photos outside |
| Evening abhisheka | 6 pm to 7.30 pm | Sanctum closed for the ritual |
| Night darshan | 7.30 pm to 9 pm | Shortest queue on most weekdays |
Chamundeshwari Temple darshan timings shift on festival days, on Ashada Fridays and through Dasara. Because the Authority issues fresh notifications for those days, always check the official portal before a long drive.
Chamundeshwari Temple Darshan Timings vs Abhisheka Slots
Abhisheka sits outside the main Chamundeshwari Temple darshan timings, so treat it as a separate ritual slot. It runs from 6 am to 7.30 am and again from 6 pm to 7.30 pm. Friday morning is the exception, since it begins at 5 am to absorb the weekly rush.
Counters hand out prasadam for abhishekam ticket holders from 7.30 am to 10.30 am and again from 7.30 pm to 9 pm. If you book online, carry a printed copy of the ticket, because the Authority makes that mandatory at the counter.
Dasoha: Free Meal Timings on the Hill
Dasoha, the free meal service, runs three times daily. Servings run from 7.30 am to 10 am, 12 pm to 3.30 pm, and 7.30 pm to 9 pm. Families climbing the steps often plan the descent around the noon slot.
Free Darshan, Paid Entry and the ₹2,000 Ashada Ticket
The Chamundeshwari Temple darshan timings are identical whether you pay or not, because the ticket only changes the queue you stand in. General darshan, called sarva darshan, is free. Nobody needs to pay for a basic queue token, and no online slot exists for the free line.
Ticket tiers have changed more than once, so treat any figure you read online as indicative. The Authority sells quick-entry tickets in the low hundreds of rupees at the counter and through its portal. Confirm the current rate on the official booking page before you budget, instead of trusting a blog table.
What the ₹2,000 Special Darshan Ticket Includes
The district administration introduced a ₹2,000 Ashada darshan package in 2025 and continued it in 2026. Ticket holders get air-conditioned bus transport, a dedicated queue, drinking water and a devotional kit. The kit contains a small idol of the Goddess along with kumkum and a sacred thread.
For Ashada 2026 the earlier ₹300 special entry ticket was withdrawn, leaving free general darshan or the ₹2,000 package. That decision drew public criticism, including from the erstwhile royal family. Over the 13-day Ashada season, the Authority reported 8.61 lakh visitors and about ₹3.08 crore from these premium tickets.
Chamundi Hill Vehicle Restrictions You Must Plan Around
Getting the Chamundeshwari Temple darshan timings right is only half the plan, since the road itself can be shut. During Ashada 2026, Mysuru City Police banned all vehicles from the hill across four Ashada Fridays and their weekends. The order also covered Chamundeshwari Vardhanti on 4 August.
The ban ran from 10 pm each Thursday until 11 pm the following Sunday. Approach roads from Uttanahalli, Lalithadripura and the IVAC route were shut to devotee traffic. Even the VIP gate near the Mahishasura statue stayed closed to vehicles.
Expect the same pattern every Ashada season, which falls roughly in July and early August. The state has also floated a permanent ban on private vehicles once the foothill parking complex is ready. Read the police order coverage in Star of Mysore for the route-by-route detail.
Where to Park and Which Shuttle to Take
On restricted days, private vehicles park at Shashiranjan Grounds near Lalitha Mahal Palace. From there, KSRTC shuttle buses carry devotees to the hilltop. The shuttle was free on Ashada Fridays, yet devotees paid the fare on Saturdays and Sundays.
Devotees who plan to climb the steps park separately near the Pinjrapole Society area. Holders of the ₹2,000 ticket board dedicated Volvo buses from the same Shashiranjan Grounds. After darshan, return buses drop everyone back at those grounds.
How to Reach Chamundeshwari Temple from Mysuru
The temple sits about 13 km from Mysuru city, roughly 1,000 feet above the plain. KSRTC operates buses to the hill from the Mysuru city bus stand at about 20-minute intervals. Taxis and autos run all day, although drivers usually charge a return-wait premium.
Mysuru railway station is the nearest railhead at roughly 15 km. Although Mysuru has an airport, Bengaluru’s international airport remains the practical option for most outstation flyers. Drive time from Bengaluru usually runs three to four hours.
Climbing the 1,000 Steps
Dodda Devaraja Wodeyar built the stone stairway in 1659, so it remains the traditional approach. A monolithic Nandi, about 15 feet tall, stands near the 700th step and draws its own stream of visitors. Most walkers take 45 to 90 minutes upward, since fitness and the heat both slow the pace.
Start before 7 am if you plan to climb, since the granite gets punishing by mid-morning. Carry water and take breaks. A battery-operated vehicle is available on the hilltop for elderly and differently-abled devotees at a nominal charge.
Best Chamundeshwari Temple Darshan Timings for a Short Queue
Within the Chamundeshwari Temple darshan timings, weekday mornings right after opening stay calmest. The 7.30 pm to 9 pm block is a close second. Because Tuesdays and Fridays are traditionally auspicious for the Goddess, both days run heavier, and weekends stay busy all year.
Avoid Ashada Fridays, Navaratri and Vardhanti unless the crowd itself is the reason you are going. Mysuru Dasara 2026 runs from 11 to 21 October, with the Jamboo Savari procession on Vijayadashami. Confirm those dates on the official Dasara portal closer to the day, because the administration notifies the programme afresh each year.
What to Do If You Miss the Chamundeshwari Temple Darshan Timings
Arriving during a closure is common, and so is finding the hill road shut for crowd control. Darshan here is never “guaranteed” in the way a booked seat is, because orders arrive at short notice and rituals move the schedule. So plan a fallback before you set out.
- If private vehicles are banned: park at the designated foothill ground and take the KSRTC shuttle
- If the shuttle queue is long: shift to the 7.30 pm to 9 pm block, which usually clears faster
- If you arrive during a break: use the wait for the Mahishasura statue, the Nandi and the viewpoint
- If the hill is shut entirely: visit the Uttanahalli Tripurasundari shrine at the foothill instead
- If you cannot climb: take the road route and use the hilltop battery vehicle
There is no paid shortcut that guarantees instant entry on a peak day. When the Authority caps or withdraws a ticket tier, only the free queue and the announced premium option remain.
Wrong Chamundeshwari Temple Darshan Timings Still Circulating Online
Several claims about the Chamundeshwari Temple darshan timings repeat across travel pages, and each one costs devotees time. Correcting them is the honest reason this page exists.
- “Open 7.30 am to 9 pm continuously”: wrong, since the sanctum closes from 2 pm to 3.30 pm and 6 pm to 7.30 pm
- “The temple is run by the Mysore royal family”: wrong, because the Sri Chamundeshwari Temple Development Authority under the Government of Karnataka administers it; the Wadiyars remain traditional patrons
- “Book free darshan online”: no online booking exists for general darshan, which is simply a walk-in queue
- “Entry costs a fixed amount”: general entry is free, while only optional faster-entry and seva tickets carry a fee
- “Any agent can arrange VIP darshan”: avoid this entirely, as tickets come only from the official counter or portal
Dress Code, Hill Rules and Safety Notes
Traditional or modest clothing works best, because the temple asks devotees to dress cleanly for darshan. Photography inside the sanctum is generally not allowed, so keep phones packed once you enter the queue. Footwear stays outside.
Chamundi Hill is a declared no-plastic zone, and the Authority has also moved to ban smoking, alcohol and gutka there. So carry a reusable bottle and take your waste back down. Monkeys snatch loose bags, therefore keep prasadam sealed.
The climb and the queues are physically demanding, especially in summer. Elderly pilgrims, pregnant women and anyone with a heart or knee condition should take the road route rather than the steps.
If you are fasting or unwell, consult a doctor before attempting a long climb. Ritual and faith practices are matters of tradition, so never treat them as a substitute for medical care.
Nearby Temples Worth Adding to the Trip
Chamundi Hill pairs naturally with the Srirangapatna circuit, about 20 km north of Mysuru. The Ranganathaswamy Temple in Srirangapatna is the obvious first stop, and its timings follow a similar break pattern. Nimishamba Devi is a short drive further along the Cauvery.
Visiting during the festival season changes the plan entirely. Our guide to the Mysore Dasara celebrations schedule covers how the hill fits into the ten-day programme. Devi temple regulars often add the Nimishamba Devi temple timings to the same route.
Before You Go
Treat the Chamundeshwari Temple darshan timings as the backbone of your plan, then build travel around them. Reach before 9 am on a weekday for the smoothest darshan, or take the night block if you are already in Mysuru. Check the official portal for notifications whenever your date falls in Ashada, Navaratri or Dasara.
Also keep expectations realistic about tickets. General darshan stays free and always available, while premium options change season to season. Book only through the official portal, never through an agent or a phone number found on a listings site.
Chamundeshwari Temple Darshan Timings: Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Chamundeshwari Temple darshan timings today?
Darshan runs from 7.30 am to 2 pm, 3.30 pm to 6 pm, and 7.30 pm to 9 pm. The sanctum closes between those blocks. Timings change on festival days, so confirm on the official portal before travelling.
Is there an entry fee at Chamundeshwari Temple?
General darshan is free and needs no booking. Optional faster-entry tickets and seva tickets carry a fee, sold at the counter and through the official portal. During Ashada 2026, the only paid darshan option was the ₹2,000 package.
What are the abhishekam timings?
Priests perform abhisheka from 6 am to 7.30 am and from 6 pm to 7.30 pm. On Fridays the morning abhisheka starts earlier, at 5 am. Counters issue prasadam for abhishekam ticket holders from 7.30 am to 10.30 am and 7.30 pm to 9 pm.
Can I take my car to Chamundi Hill?
On most days, yes. However, during Ashada Fridays and the following weekends, police ban private vehicles from the hill. Park at the designated foothill ground and use the KSRTC shuttle on those days.
How many steps lead to the temple?
The stairway has roughly 1,000 steps, built in 1659 by Dodda Devaraja Wodeyar. A large monolithic Nandi stands near the 700th step. Allow 45 to 90 minutes for the climb, and start early to avoid the heat.
Is online booking available for darshan?
There is no online booking for free general darshan, which is a walk-in queue. You can book sevas, poojas, quick-entry tickets and rooms on chamundeshwaritemple.in. Carry a printed copy of any online ticket.
Which Chamundeshwari Temple darshan timings are least crowded?
The first hour after the 7.30 am opening is the quietest slot on a weekday, and the 7.30 pm to 9 pm block runs a close second. Because Tuesdays, Fridays and weekends stay crowded, avoid them if your schedule allows.
Is free food available at the temple?
Yes, the Authority runs Dasoha, a free meal service, three times a day. Timings are 7.30 am to 10 am, 12 pm to 3.30 pm, and 7.30 pm to 9 pm. Servings may extend on festival days.
Who manages Chamundeshwari Temple?
The Sri Chamundeshwari Temple Development Authority, under the Government of Karnataka, manages the shrine. The Mysore royal family remains its traditional patron but does not administer it. Official information and bookings come only from chamundeshwaritemple.in.