Chamundi Hills in Mysore

Posted here are some pictures taken on my 2nd trip to Mysore, atop Chamundi Hills. Buses leave every hour (or even more often) from the base city center of Mysore, to travel up this curvy mountain, where Chamundeshwari Temple is perched on top, along with beautiful views below to Mysore and the Mysore Palace. There are designated areas where you can stop and take pictures which provide breath-taking views. To give perspective, Chamundi Hills is 1,000 m (3,300 ft) while Highlands, NC is 1,255 m (4,118 ft) so they are "about" equal in height.

There is a lot of activity surrounding this temple, that continues down the mountain road that leads to Mysore. The first picture is of a child (teenager?) made-up in full costume, dancing and singing. Other pictures show just how close you can get to the cows. The "bull near the toilet" was a shot that was "too much for words". His placement was just too ironic, at that moment, and it was neat to snap that pic!

Other pictures included women selling beautiful flowers, or fruit/vegs (always placed in an atttractive fashion as seen throughout India), and a man selling hand-made beautiful threaded bracelets, that many people get when they leave the temples. I was fascinated by this particular man and bought 2. He tied them around my wrist for me. I remember telling him I was going to need that hand later! He seemed to understand, and loosened them a bit. Another picture included a truckload of the young (green) coconuts that are so good to cut open and drink fresh coconut juice. (Until I came to India, I simply thought all cocunuts were "brown" and had never seen a truckload of this variety, at this young stage.)

There were also 7 or 8 monkeys that were running about, yet I only was able to take shots which are too blurry to display. I want to go back, just to photograph these monkeys. They are amazing to watch, and come right up to the public (especially, if you have a sugary drink bottle, or something with which they can play). Think: Zoo without the bars? One man was so close I was a bit fearful for his hands!

Chamundi Hills is a place that you DEFINITELY want to visit if you venture anywhere near Mysore, as it is alive with history, beauty, culture, and of course, cows and monkeys that are "freely walking around".