Unidentified miscreants vandalised the statue of the demon Mahishasura atop Chamundi Hills.

The incident is suspected to have taken place on Friday and the damage is minor in nature, with a toe being dented with a stone. Mysuru derives its name from Mahishasura, who was slayed by Goddess Chamundeshwari according to mythology.

The statue is located hardly a few meters away from the police outpost. The incident has raised fresh concerns over vandalism on the hill as the statue of Nandi was similarly vandalised by some persons in January 2013.

The authorities claim to have stepped up security at Chamundi Hills to discourage miscreants some of whom tend to drink and litter the place with bottles. Chamundi Hills is an ecological hotspot providing the much-needed lung space for Mysuru and is a must-visit among tourists. The Chamundeshwari temple draws lakhs of devotees from across the country every year and the visitors have to pass by the statue of Mahishasura enroute to the temple.